What happens if I have TRICARE and another insurance?

Asked by: Abner Ondricka  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.8/5 (12 votes)

Tell your TRICARE contractors and doctors when you have other health insurance. If TRICARE gets your claim before your other health insurance processes it, TRICARE will deny it. If TRICARE pays first and then discovers you had other health insurance, TRICARE will take back any payments made.

Is TRICARE primary or secondary insurance?

TRICARE is the secondary payer to all health benefits and insurance plans, except for Medicaid, TRICARE supplements, the Indian Health Service and other programs or plans as identified by the Defense Health Agency (DHA).

Can you have two insurances in the military?

Active duty service members (including activated National Guard and Reserve members) can't use other health insurance as their primary insurance. TRICARE is the primary payer and coordination of benefits with other insurance carriers does not occur.

Can you have TRICARE and Blue Cross Blue Shield?

Examples: Medicare, Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, etc. Do NOT include TRICARE.

Can TRICARE Select be used as a secondary insurance?

For family member beneficiaries like you, who have separate insurance coverage through an employer and prefer to use that as their primary coverage, there really isn't a downside to using Tricare; it would simply serve as a backup secondary payer.

How TRICARE Insurance Works with Medicare

17 related questions found

Does TRICARE Prime need a referral if secondary?

TRICARE Prime

Prime enrollees may receive clinical preventive services from any network provider without a referral or authorization. Urgent care visits do not require referrals. ... Prime beneficiaries must have a referral for clinical preventive services when they see a non-network provider.

Can doctors refuse TRICARE?

If you have TRICARE for Life, TRICARE becomes the second payer after Medicare. ... Failure to tell your doctor or contractor may result in TRICARE denying your claims.

What doesn't TRICARE cover?

In general, TRICARE excludes services and supplies that are not medically or psychologically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of a covered illness (including mental disorder), injury, or for the diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy or well-child care.

Is TRICARE good health insurance?

Is TRICARE Good Health Insurance. People often ask me if TRICARE is good insurance. The answer is yes, TRICARE is excellent insurance. Of course, nothing is perfect, or one size fits all but in general, TRICARE provides some of the most affordable health care in the U.S.

Is TRICARE free for spouses?

Spouses of active duty, reserve and retired members are eligible for TRICARE coverage. Dependents of active and retired members are automatically covered as soon as they are enrolled to DEERs, spouses of reserve members must purchase TRICARE Reserve Select if they want TRICARE coverage.

Can I use TRICARE and the VA?

If you retire and qualify for VA benefits, you can use your TRICARE and VA benefits together. You will see the VA for service-connected conditions and use TRICARE for everything else.

Is TRICARE public or private insurance?

TRICARE is a government-sponsored health insurance program for active duty, Reserves, retired military members, and eligible family members.

Can you be on Medicaid and TRICARE?

Beneficiaries who are entitled to TRICARE may simultaneously be eligible for Medicaid or Medicare. ... In most cases, this process of “coordination of benefits” limits or eliminates beneficiary out-of-pocket expenses.

How does TRICARE insurance work?

TRICARE Select is a fee-for-service health plan, which is similar to a preferred provider organization, or PPO. You'll pay a set fee (copayment) or percentage (cost-sharing) every time you go to the doctor, but it'll be less for in-network providers than out-of-network providers.

Who Pays First TRICARE or VA?

Other federal insurance includes medicare, medicaid, VA healthcare, or Indian Health Service coverage. If you are covered by one of these plans they pay before Tricare first. If you are treated for a non-covered condition, Tricare pays first.

Is dental covered by TRICARE?

TRICARE covers adjunctive dental care. as part of the "medical" benefit. Dental coverage for diagnostic and preventive services, restorative services, orthodontics, oral surgery, endodontics and other non-medical services are provided under two different dental plans: TRICARE Active Duty Dental Program.

Do most doctors accept TRICARE?

While nearly all doctors in those states were accepting new patients, more than half rejected Tricare beneficiaries. ... The majority receive care mostly from military doctors.

Is TRICARE full coverage?

TRICARE provides comprehensive coverage to all beneficiaries, including: Health plans. Special programs. Prescriptions.

Is TRICARE free for retired military?

Tricare Health Plans

All retirees have to pay a deductible amount of $150 per individual (no more than $300 per family). Tricare Retired Reserve - Retired Guard or Reservists and their family members can purchase Tricare Retired Reserve until they reach age 60, there is an enrollment fee, and copays for treatment.

Does TRICARE pay for surgeries?

TRICARE covers surgery when needed and when it's a proven procedure.

Does TRICARE cover ambulance?

TRICARE covers when an ambulance takes you from your home, accident scene, or other location to a hospital. ... This includes transport to a hospital from skilled nursing facilities or hospital-based or outpatient facilities.

Why is TRICARE not paying claims?

A claim may be denied for several reasons. Many times it's a simple error that you (if you submitted the claim) or your provider made when submitting the claim. See Claim Filing Tips for a list of common mistakes. If your claim is unpaid or denied, contact your claims processor.

Can I sue TRICARE?

Spouses and dependents of military personnel may be able to sue a military doctor for injuries caused by medical negligence, but active duty members are typically barred from making a claim for injuries that may have resulted from sub-standard medical treatment at a DOD or VA hospital, or any other military health care ...

At what age does TRICARE for life start?

month, your initial enrollment period begins four months before the month you turn age 65. Enroll no later than two months before the month you turn age 65 to avoid a break in TRICARE coverage. You're eligible for Medicare coverage on the first day of the month before you turn age 65.