Readers of Tom Philpott’s Military Update column sound off

Retirees Unnerved By New TRICARE Contracts, 40-Mile Rule

I am a 71-year-old retired Air Force E-7 and live approximately 60 miles from Tinker Air Force Base.

If my wife loses TRICARE Prime because we live more than 40 miles from a base, she will have to revert to TRICARE Standard. With her many pre-existing conditions that will mean we will have next to no insurance.

Standard is not even good secondary insurance. She most likely would loose her outstanding secondary insurance with the National Association of the Uniformed Service, which I understand supplements Prime only.

Is this how the government treats military retirees? Promise us the world, then deny that promises were made just to save a few dollars to waste on something else like free medical care for illegal aliens.

HOWARD C. MCLAUGHLIN
Master Sergeant, USAF-Ret.
Via e-mail

It took a number of years to work out kinks with current TRICARE contracts to where retirees are able to find providers who are no longer frustrated with the system and willing to treat TRICARE Prime retirees.

I would like to know what true research was done, beyond promises made by these new companies, before making this enormous decision to change contractors.

History shows that cost, not quality, is the primary factor the military looks at with contracts, often making awards to the lowest bidder. And what huge transition like this has ever gone “smoothly,” which sounded like PR.

I think that reality will be quite the opposite, and our current pool of providers will once again shrink, making it increasingly difficult for us to find health care.

WENDY BLACKWELL
Retired Army Spouse
Via e-mail

What sense does this make to change contractors when everything was going so great? Why fix something that isn't broken?

Health Net has been an excellent provider and services were always outstanding. I cannot say that for the next contractor.

I sure hope my medical service doesn’t suffer just to save a couple of dollars.

NATE ALLEN
Commander, USN-Ret.
Via e-mail

I have been a TRICARE provider for many years. The current contract has been the most professional and most competent, in my opinion, within a reasonable degree of allied medical certainty, in all the years I have been a provider.

My experience with one of the new contractors has been horrendous to date. I am thinking of going overseas, as to work with this group is totally unacceptable. I appreciate the 10 month notice.

SUELLYN VANDERSLICE, PhD
Via e-mail

I'm starting to panic reading all the negative comments about the new TRICARE contract and new contractors. I use TRICARE Prime and am very satisfied. I use my local doctor, not Wright Patterson AFB hospital which is over 60 miles away. Does anyone have anything positive to say?

GAIL DeGOOD-GUY
Senior Master Sergeant, USAF-Ret.
Via e-mail

I am so very delighted that TRICARE South Region will be managed by some other company. Those S.O.B.s at Humana really jerked me around and denied me reimbursement on over $15,000, the covered portion of my wife's $18,000-plus hospital bill from 1996, after I paid the hospital bill in full from my home equity line of credit.

First, they made me drive all over the county getting copies of documents and hospital bills. Then they denied my wife's claim because they said they would only make payments directly to the hospital.

Humana did inform us we had the right to appeal, which we did. The “Appeal Received” and “Appeal Denied” letters we subsequently received were dated the same day.

It could take me 20 years to pay off that line of credit and interest for the denied covered expenses. The lesson learned was that military members and retirees should never pay any medical bills themselves directly and should direct any collection notices or threats to sue to their TRICARE provider.

G. MORRISON
USN-Ret.
Via e-mail

After reading all the complaints by users of TRICARE about the upcoming change, I wonder why persons making the contract decision did not send an e-mail to all current participants to ask about experiences with companies bidding for the privilege of taking over these contracts.

I have not had any trouble with current TRICARE coverage. I anticipate many problems in the future.

If trouble does happen, we should hold those who made these decisions accountable for being so reckless.

EDMOND G. FARAH
Chief Warrant Officer 4, USMC-Ret.
Via e-mail

I have had nothing but great service from Humana so I am truly sorry they did not get renewed as a support contractor.

Not knowing much about UnitedHealth [Military & Veterans Services of Minnetonka, Minn.] I am not commenting on how good or bad they may be. But a promised smooth transition will never be as smooth as planned, especially with change of this magnitude. I just hope feet are held to the fire to avoid noticeable problems.

A proven leader should have been selected; not a low-cost imposter. I fear we are all in for some heartache.

HUGH TARRANT
Master Sergeant, USAF-Ret.
Biloxi, Miss.

Please keep Humana as my TRICARE provider. They are without exception the very best in providing the service and care that we service members and veterans earned and deserve.

LAWRENCE E. WAGNER
Chief Warrant 3, USA-Ret.
Via e-mail

I'm glad Humana is out. They were rude and unmilitary friendly. I hope United is better. I had bad experiences with Humana.

ELANE Hill
U.S. Air Force spouse
Via e-mail

I hope this will be a different group then my husband had in his civilian job. The doctors refused to accept UnitedHealth Care here because of poor service. I hate losing Humana; they have been excellent.

JEAN PARKER
Oklahoma

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

I have never had a problem using TRICARE. My wife and I have nothing but respect for the Humana people. They are truly a class act.

I really believe we are in a lot of trouble with this new contract.

STEPHEN F. FUINA
Chief Warrant Officer 3, Ret.
Panama City, Fla.

What a huge mistake the government is making putting the Southern Region in the hands of UnitedHealth. I dealt with them through an employer in the private sector and their service was horrible.

Humana as been doing a great job and should have been given preference in bidding for the contract. Based on my past experience with UnitedHealth, those of us in the Southern Region will suffer tremendously as a result of this change. Once again this shows that individuals holding the purse strings don't have a clue what's really going on.

GEORGE RUTZEBECK
Chief Master Sergeant, Ret.
Jacksonville, Fla.

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.