Readers of Tom Philpott's Military Update column sound off.

Beneficiaries Anxious Over TRICARE Contractor Shift

I am a TRICARE beneficiary in Connecticut and have Health Net as my managed care provider. I am very disappointed they lost the bid for the new contract.

I know what good managed care is because I worked in the managed care department at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., just before TriWest began there. Health Net has been extremely efficient in every aspect of administering my medical claims. They answer phones promptly, they process claims faster than the provider gets the bill to me, and everything can be found on their website. I am so sorry they will not be continuing to do so.

I am concerned about the quality we are going to receive with Aetna Health Care. I'm not sure how it can be any better than Health Net but I know that the bottom line is money, unfortunately. I hope they provide the same timely and efficient service.

PATRICIA WAGNER
Lieutenant Colonel
USAF Nurse Corps-Ret.
Via e-mail

Read the related Military Update:
New TRICARE Contractors for Millions

I am very concerned about the change in TRICARE support contractors. I am with a company that uses United Health as their primary insurance for employees. United Health started out being very good, but has gone down hill in the last three to four years.

I hope the same thing isn't going to happen with their taking over the TRICARE program in the South Region. I'm worried.

JOANNE STECKLEIN
Spouse of Air Force retiree
Via e-mail

Are the people in government bureaucracy crazy?

I am retired Air Force and have counted on TRICARE to supplement my health care needs for 20 years. The folks in Humana in South Carolina have been doing a great job keeping the South Region, and in Florida in particularly, running, smoothly for TRICARE claims and benefits. Complaints about inaccurate payments aren't experienced much anymore.

Now the South Region is going to shift to UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services of Minnetonka, Minn.? What do they know about the South Region? This change will create uncertainties in our military community in northwest Florida which already under enormous stress from continuous deployments to support Secretary Gates' war plans

TRICARE officials say the new contracts will ensure a smooth transition with no decline in quality of care or services. We'll be holding our breath with low expectations. This is a huge undertaking for a company to take over without a hitch, and a very unfortunate situation for those of us who have counted on the smooth service Humana has provided.

GEORGE SEBREN
Lieutenant Colonel, USAF-Ret.
Niceville, Fla.

I work for a physician's practice in Mississippi and I can tell you that we are very discouraged about United Healthcare getting the contract. United Healthcare is available here and, in the past, we have contracted with them. However, they are so awful now that we do not contract with them nor do the three large hospitals in our area.

I am not surprised that they got the contract because they promise you everything and you get nothing. Whoever made the decision to go with United Healthcare will regret their decision.

Debra S.
Via e-mail

I am a doctor of physical therapy, an occupational therapist and a post-graduate teacher. I see many patients who have UnitedHealth insurance and they receive crap in the way of benefits. Restricted as the benefits are, they are not provided without a huge hassle.

I am devastated, for my own family and for all of our military families, at this change for the worse in our benefits. To me the reason is obvious: the worst insurance companies win these bids because they are the cheapest, and, I would add, the worst as well.

ELLEN PONG
Pensacola, Fla.

What a shame about Health Net. I have not had any trouble with them at all. I have TRICARE Standard so I can choose my own doctors. I'm hopeful Aetna will provide the same care and have a smooth transition.

LOIS SEMRAU
Via e-mail

This is sad news. After several Years Humana & PGBA have improved a lot, on both their knowledge and their processing of claims with just isolated incidents. There is an old saying, “If it ain't broke, don't fix it.”

Mark my words, and those of many others, that Aetna and UnitedHealth will be eating their words about nothing will change in the way of quality service. And beneficiaries will be the ones who lose, not them.

RONALD K. SMITH
Fort Worth, Texas

Horrible news! I have been covered by TRICARE either as secondary or primary insurer for many years. Humana has been the absolute best at processing claims in a timely manner. I can hardly believe how great their customer service is and have told them so in my few phone calls to better understand how to do something or to check on something I've lost.

My supplemental health insurance is not as efficient.

I hope this will not become the TRICARE of past years, before Humana.

ELSIE STAMPS
Tennessee

Having dealt with both United Healthcare and Aetna in the past, I can tell you from personal experience these companies are probably the two worst they could have chosen. Neither one can get any records right, and neither one wants to pay for anything. They have back dated denial letters, and post-dated claims on me several times in the past. Their networks are basically non-existent in Florida, unless you're in one of the major cities.

MICHAEL DOUGLAS
Gunnery Sergeant, USMC-Ret.
Via e-mail

I just hope giving this contract to Aetna doesn't hurt us all.

Aetna has had a bad reputation for years in the civilian community and I have personally seen signs in doctors' offices stating they do not accept Aetna.

I have never had a problem using TRICARE as it stands now. I hope this does not hurt us.

DON JACOBSEN
USN-Ret.
Via e-mail

Letters may be edited for clarity or length. Write to Military Forum, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA 20120-1111, send e-mail to militaryforum@aol.com or visit www.militaryupdate.com.

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