IT World News: Seven Ways to Keep Military Health Care Affordable

As part of the nation's ongoing effort to give back to the men and women who serve our country, the American people decided to advocate free or reasonably priced health care coverage for members of the Armed Forces and their family members as well as Military retirees.

TRICARE offers a wide range of health plans for a variety of medical needs, and many allow for free care or charge a very low rate in comparison to prices paid by the general public. Nevertheless, costs of co-payments and medications, not to mention dental and vision care, can add up pretty quickly.

Here are some ways you can help keep the cost of medical care at a manageable level:

1) Be sure to see the right doctors. While we all want to have the best health care possible, we would also like to obtain that care for the best price. One way to achieve this goal is by going to a military medical facility when possible, such as a hospital, clinic or sick bay. You can be assured you will receive high-quality care at the lowest cost to you. If there isn't a military facility located near you, contact your health insurance plan provider to find the best civilian option.

2) Select the right plan. When choosing coverage under TRICARE, review all of the options. (Go online to TRICARE.mil for details.) This plan offers several coverage levels with different choices for selecting providers, etc, at varied cost points. Weigh all of the options carefully, taking into consideration factors such as what physicians you will want to see and any anticipated medical needs, before making your choice.

3) Stay up to date with checkups. It certainly doesn't pay to skimp on health care just to save a few bucks, particularly if you have a medical condition that needs to be monitored. Be sure your children receive all necessary vaccinations, and take preventative steps such as getting annual flu shots.

4) Ask for the best deal. Talk to the manager of patient accounts and explain your situation. Your TRICARE benefits may vary depending on the level of your plan and whether you or the doctor's office files your claim. As an example, if you utilize the point-of-service option (POS) to see a non-network, non-participating physician, they can charge up to 15 percent more than the agreed-upon TRICARE rate. Also, if you plan to visit a certain doctor regularly, ask them how you can make your care more cost effective.

5) SAVE with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). If your employer or your spouse's employer offers an FSA, you may want to take advantage of it. An FSA allows an employee to have funds deducted from their paycheck, before taxes, for medical care.

6) Cut your drug costs. You can really save on medication by seeking to receive your medications from a military treatment facility where they are free. Otherwise, ask your physician if a generic drug can be substituted. If it is equally effective as the brand name medication, a generic drug generally costs two-thirds less when ordered through TRICARE. If not, check other options including discount medications from warehouse club and discount stores to find the best price.

7) Deduct what you can. Devise a method to keep track of what you spend on medical care - whether it's a spreadsheet, a notebook, or even a shoebox with receipts. If your costs exceed more than 7.5 percent of your income, you could be eligible to deduct those expenses from your taxes.

Medical care can be a challenging expense, particularly when encountering unexpected conditions. However, by using cost-saving strategies such as the ones discussed above, you can make a substantial difference in the cost of care for you and your family. For the latest information concerning Military education benefits and procedures, please visit your education counseling office.

IT World News

วันอาทิตย์ที่ 6 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2553

Seven Ways to Keep Military Health Care Affordable

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