04 Sep TRICARE Extra
Members eligible for TRICARE are allowed to take advantage of the benefits offered through the TRICARE Extra plan. TRICARE Extra is not available to members on active duty
About TRICARE Extra
Members eligible for TRICARE are allowed to take advantage of the benefits offered through the TRICARE Extra plan. It is not available to members on active duty. Under this program, you can choose you own doctor if do not have one, and these doctors are approved and also recommended by TRICARE. There are no claims filed through TRICARE so the paperwork is very minimal.
Changing to TRICARE Extra is a simple process. Members just need to stop into one of the military offices, talk to any network providers, and they will help you make the switch. If you are already using DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System), you are eligible without applying for TRICARE Extra. TRICARE does not have any designated primary care managers, it’s not available in all the areas, and the list of the providers is very limited. Providers are TRICARE network-authorized and you can schedule an appointment with any of those care providers.
It does not require any annual payment fees specifically for it, but you must be enrolled specifically in this program to take advantage of its benefits. TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra have the same method of determining deductibles and cost-sharing. After the deductible has been reached, the cost share for TRICARE Extra a network provider is 15% for an active-duty family member. Some other TRICARE Extra participants pay a 20% cost-share of the contracted amount.
DETAILS
Advantages:
- You have an option of using TRICARE Standard
- No forms to file
- No balance billing
- No enrollment fee
- Co-payment for an officer who is on active duty or members of the family pays less than 5% than TRICARE Standard copayment
Limitations:
- You have co-payments
- You pay a deductible
- Limited health care provider choices
- Not available overseas
- No Primary Care Manager
You can get a list of TRICARE Extra providers by contacting your local TRICARE Service Center at http://www.tricare.mil/ContactUs/CallUs/TSC.aspx.
No Comments