The way things are going....Get into the military systems as much as possible...If they do cut benefits you'll be grandfathered in and not locked out...Not saying it will happen just thinking out loud.....

 

What did you do for Dental?

 

definitely depends on your situation. Tricare Reserve Select seems to be a better deal than what's offered by every major airline out there. But you have to run the numbers. For single coverage, I went with my employer's BCBS plan (I pay $0 per month) versus TRS ($103 per month), but if/when I get hired by a major, I'll for sure enroll in TRS. I know airlines like United offer tobacco wellness credits and such, so make sure you take those into account.

 

Same here. It's a LOT cheaper and we live close to a big base. Have had no issues.

 

United's dental plans are good. I went with their Metlife plan and it's like $30 a month. TRDP wanted $130 a month for worse coverage.

 

Mil health care just saved the day for us. 10 weeks ago the 13 yr old busted both leg bones just above the ankle at 2100 on a Saturday night. The Mrs took him to the nearest local civ hospital. They jacked him up on morphine and said come back tomorrow when we have an ortho on duty. The kid is writhing in agony. The Mrs asks about another hospital specializing in kids -- no guy on duty. The Mrs calls the Naval Hosp -- "we're sending an ambulance immediately". Ortho on call, meets them, sets break -- exceptional follow up care. Cost = zero.

 

Great. We've had no real issues and not a lot of out of pocket expenses. With 4 kids under 16 we need medical care frequently (7 broken arms amongst them in the past 10 years). You can't beat $45 a month for a family of 6. I think the cheapest plan at UAL was close to $400 a month.

 

don't forget many providers will accept TRS in-network, I believe the list is available on the Tricare site. the only advantage of being near a military base is prescriptions picked up on base have a zero copay. Otherwise the copays for pharmacy are similar to normal employer PPO's.

 

I left the ART system last April and here's how this works. Once you leave the ART system to fly for an airline, you are no longer eligible for FEHB, period, except for COBRA. You will have to make your wife the primary and you will then be the dependant on her policy. I use TRS now and the company pays me $204 every month for opting out of their coverage, so it doesn't "cost" me anything. There is no way for you to keep or return to FEHB if you get a divorce. You'll have to quit your airline job and return to the civil service workforce in order to re-enroll. I do use the company's dental and vision coverage since it's fairly cheap. If you haven't tried to enroll under TRS yet, one of the first questions they ask is whether you're eligible for FEHB, (which you will be if your wife takes over as primary) and therefore won't be able to enroll. I'd recommend staying with FEHB through your wife since it is a great insurance policy and cheaper than most if not all of the plans offered by the airline.

My .02 FWIW

 

I did some research and determined I can't sign up for TRS since my wife is eligible for FEHB. It specifically states you are ineligible for TRS if either you or your spouse are eligible for FEHB.

Now my only choices are getting insurance through my wife's FEHB or signing up for the company health benefits. Looks like FEHB it is.