I don't have the numbers, because it's something anecdotal you pulled out of your ass. We know the vast majority don't stick around. You yourself just admitted that you're in one of the 80-85% that decided it wasn't worth it, otherwise you'd be on tricare still.

The problem is we have people shilling socialized medicine on here like Oooof who haven't spent a minute on a socialized medical system and have no idea what they're talking about.

 

The only Tricare that was worth a hoot was Tricare Reserve Select and only for the following reasons:

$240/mo for a family with a low out of pocket max
Go to any doctor who takes it
No PCM playing mother may I with referrals vs prime.

I miss it only because while DALs insurance is "better on paper" excluding cost, I never had to fight to get covered items or medications approved.

Where's on DPMP (Delta's highest tier plan) this has been my current fight that will likely land me on STD/LTD.

-Get a really bad case of tennis elbow. 14mm tear. Orthopedic surgeons (3) determine surgery is best fix.
-Surgical authorization denied until other less invasive treatments are tried. They would be valid options with a sub 8mm tear.
-Burn 35ish hours sick because arm hurts too bad to fly for a week post injection (the non surgical treatment)
-Surgery is counter indicated within 6 weeks of last injection as it can weaken tendon attachments.
-Schedule surgery 6 weeks to the day after the 3rd shot with no improvement.

But of course, I ended up with 3x torn/detached extensor tendons (mallet finger) , two partial one full detachment when the combination of having to adapt around the torn ulnar tendon and the injections living up to a common side effect, now mean out of work 6-8 weeks minimum, with one finger in a hard splint (the severed tendon in ring finger) and a soft splint on index and middle fingers.

On Tricare Reserve it would have been surgery approved in 48h or less and back at work in 2 weeks.

But TRS when living in a heavy military area was the nice combo of cheap premium, low out of pocket, reasonable catastrophic cap and unlike UMR/Delta, no non MD rent seeking middle man making it worse so their metrics look better.

 

You can count me as one who uses TRICARE. I’m not on Prime, so I can’t comment on what it’s like there. On Select, you can just go see whoever you want. $300/year for the fam. Can’t imagine it would be any better on another plan with one exception… your kids age out at 23. Then you have to pay for TRICARE young adult at around $300/mo which lasts until 26. Obviously not a concern unless your kids are deadbeats or going for professional degrees.

edit… I’m an active duty retiree.

 

80-85% get out for countless reasons. Now of those that have the option to keep Tricare, the vast majority do.

Out of 9.5 million elegible individuals, less than half a mile don't use Tricare. My overall point still stands.

 

if only there were ways to improve tricare. nah, better double down on the most expensive and least effective system in the industrialized world instead.

 

We should ship you to the UK for a year or two so you can get the socialized medicine you crave. When your teeth fall out of your head you'll be back.

 

luckily, in the us system, nobody ever suffers for lack of treatment, nor pays extra to enable better treatment…

 

such vitriol from someone simply having a conversation and holding a different opinion from you

 

Not vitriolic at all, simply pointing out you are in favor of something you would in no circumstances subject yourself to. It's why you don't address any of the counterpoints of the obvious and well-documented shortcomings of the ideas you support.

I believe the term is "luxury beliefs" - fits you perfectly.

 

i guess you don’t know much about my citizenship, but that’s okay.