Retiree Tricare, Standard vs. Prime
 

Question for the retired folks, what's better? Standard or Prime?

My family is on standard now, and really likes the freedom it offers. Sitting on the outside, they get much more responsive care on standard than when they were on prime and had to be seen on base.

Looking at retiree plans, standard seems about the same as for active, though the max out of pocket goes up to $3k. At least on paper, prime looks to be a little more painful--have to call for authorizations, etc.

To me standard looks better (if a little more expensive), but everyone seems to go to prime so I feel like I must be missing something.

Anyone have thoughts on this?

Thanks

I used Tricare Prime when I was in Phoenix, AZ and could use Luke AFB. Now that I've moved to the Northwest, I am about 4 1/2 hours from the nearest Prime facility, and changed to Standard. I would go with Prime if I lived near a base and it offered good, timely care. If you don't live near a DoD facility, I'm not sure you really have a choice unless you don't mind driving a very long way.

Even if you live near one (like me within 40 miles of Ft Hood) they could be too crowded and put you out in town. We use Prime with a civilian PCM and we are very happy with our level of service and the ease of getting appts or referrals. Our PCM's office services an Urgent Care clinic with their doctors in the same building. We can just walk into the urgent care and it is treated like we went upstairs for a scheduled appointment. No call to TRICARE required...very useful.

I'm in the same boat as FlyBoyd and am very happy with my Prime.

After I moved TRICARE told me I would not be able to continue with PRIME unless I would be willing to use Ft Lewis/McChord as my PCM. How were you able to get a civilian PCM? (I have outstanding health care with my current job, but I would like to know for future reference -- if I go back to TRICARE as my only health care -- if your case is the norm and I just didn't push on the access door hard enough).

I just talked to my wife to confirm...

Peeps we know here told us it was crowded. When selecting our PCM online, a civilian PCM was an option. We never spoke to anyone. It was all automated. To be clear...the MTF was an option as well. We just chose not to use it.

Thanks FlyBoyd. That is very helpful to know.

FlyBoyd:

I need to decide shortly if I am going Prime or Standard.

So, you are saying that when you looked on-line...BEFORE you had signed up...they showed that the MTF was full, and you had an option to go civilian?

Overall, I like the cost-protections of Prime, but prefer the proximity of Standard. I was leaning Standard until this thread popped up. If I understand you correctly, I'll take a second look at Prime.

Let me know if I have this right...thanks.

No, we didn't check before. We moved during the year (6 months after out yearly payment) and our intent was to see how Prime worked in our new area and bail if we didn't like it. Fortunately, it has worked out well.

I think you can pay quarterly, too. You might want to try it out to see how it works for you.

I have TriCare Prime and am very happy with it. Have not stepped foot on a base (other than to see an airshow) since I retired in 2008. Between my company's coverage (primary) and TriCare (secondary) the out-of-pocket is minimal.