I agree it is a pain, but it is probably the radiology departments fault for not complying with some stupid IRS rule. In my experiance if you go through the wage works hoop they will accept the same receipt as a faxed item. It reminds me a lot of the hoops we must jump through to file our expense report.

Full disclosure: I don't work at Purple....

I keep my company's insurance plan, which is a very good one, and I keep TriCare standard for the catastrophic backstop and because it is free. The small $ I spend (similar to FedEx price) for my company's best plan + TriCare std buys me a very big piece of mind. If I lose my company plan (can you say F-lo) then I can always opt back into TriCare prime.

If you live in the vicinity of a military treatment facility, you can get your scripts filled at no cost, just have to bring in the script in person then auto refill for pickup every 90 days, been doing it for 3 years since retirement. Order by phone, then pick up at the walk up window by the commisary a couple days later. If you live away from a MTF, the other option is the express scripts mail service through TriCare, 90 day supply, sent to your mail box at $10/refill. I have yet to find a better plan for scripts, actually cheaper than the $4 generic plan at Wal-Mart, because you only get a 30 day supply that way, making it $12/qtr. for the very limited formulary. As always, YMMV.

SD

My only complaints with the MTF is the long initial wait and the constantly shifting approved medicine list. We are out of this can we substitute that? How the heck do I know?

Correct, I am retired and therefore would pay $460/year for the family. I read all the previous responses about A** Pain with TriCare and have had to make a few calls myself when the co-pay wasn't paid due to paperwork issues. However, other than that, we have had no problems.

I do agree that having peace-of-mind in regards to health care coverage is a significant arguement for keeping the Buy-up, with TriCare Standard as our secondary. That's why (until this enrollment period), we kept the FedEx plan (wife was potentially facing thyroid cancer; fortunately it turned-out not to be).

Anyway, we would see the same doctors under BC/BS or TriCare and we usually get our prescriptions filled at the base clinic (no cost). So, other than coverage differences (i.e. TriCare doesn't cover chiropractors), I'm not seeing too much financial benefit for staying with both. Could be the biggest mistake I make for 2010 if I elect to opt-out; good thing I have a few more weeks to solicit input and make the decision.

Thanks again for all the input; keep 'em coming...

I would talk to the tricare specialist office in person about opting out and losing Other Health insurance (OHI in military parlance); talk about jumping through hoops. I would also ask about using HCSA to pay the Tricare Prime Premium.

As an AD retired guy on TriCare Prime (family) I also use the Company plan for me (individual). When ever I see a doc or get meds I list the company plan as primary and Tricare as secondary. Has worked very well so far. Basically I think the Tricare ends up paying the deductable.
As for the family they are comfortable using the base doctors as they have for many years and see no difference between the retired Tricare Prime and AD TriCare prime that they had prior to FedEx. I and the family have fortunately not had any major expenses/ilnesses yet so I really don't know how this will do but I suspect having the FedEx family plan vs leaving the family on tricare would be the best option by far.
Whatever you decide on Medical plans -the FedEx Vision and Dental (buy-up) plans are great and be sure to get them.

After reading the other posts I am re-thinking leaving the wife on Prime alone.

I did the research several years ago so I don't have my figures, but if you do the math I think you will find Tricare Standard is a sufficient secondary coverage to the FedEx BCBS Base Plan....have had numerous claims including a big surgery and Tricare covered everything BCBS didn't...I have yet to pay a dime with well over $100K in claims (except the Tricare Standard $250 deductible). I think the BCBS Buy Up combined with Tricare Prime is overkill and unnecessary $$$ premium payments out of your pocket....plus I think you will have more flexibility to choose your provider with Tricare Standard vs. Prime.

My advice is BCBS Base + Tricare Standard = lowest monthly cost for complete coverage....as always, your mileage may vary, so don't base your decision based on "the bubbas on the forum."

Wage works is a big pain. For every dollar I spent through wage works, I spent another hour trying to justify the expense. And if you do not spend every penny it goes back to FedEx. Like they need the money.

Not sure where you all live, but I had the Fedex plan a few years ago and the cost were killing me. Unlike most though, I have 5 kids, but the $900 annual and $150 per deductable for FX vice the $460 and $12 a visit for Prime was a no brainer.

With Prime we pick our own civilian doctor, within the network, and receive all the referrals to specialists that we request. I live in the Norfolk area and every doctor in the book takes Tricare.

I've had a couple of overnight surgeries for free, after the $12 initial doctor visit.

My wife has asthma, had surgery on hands for carpel tunnel, and has delivered children, all for only $12 a visit.

I don't see how you can complain about the drug program either; free at a military facility or $3 for generic, $9 for the rest. It saves me hundreds a year.

I know each situation is different. I found the first year on Tricare Prime I had to call alot to fix payments, but in each instance they agreed and refiled the paperwork for me and payed the doctor. Once we got through the growing pains I haven't needed to call or had any complaints for 4 years.

For seven of us annually I know I spend only around $600, Fedex can't beat that.

Question. I am retired Air Guard and have never checked out any possible benefits with Tricare. Do I have any, or will that only become available after I turn 60?