Tri-care and on-line providers

[Air Force Retired]

Has anyone with Tri-care purchased their replacement equipment/supplies through on line providers? If so, how did it go, did you have any problems with insurance? I ask because I have only one place in my town to get my stuff and they don't really give me a warm-fuzzy. I am thinking about switching to on line providers now that I have my machine and masks. Appreciate any insight anyone can provide.

EVERYONE ON THE FORUM PLEASE HAVE A SAFE AND WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING.

afr

[Julie]

You have to ask your insurance co. what they will cover and what they won't. It doesn't matter what others have done.

[drj130]

I'm currently Active Army, and I was told that I "could" submit for repayment through Tri-Care for things I brought while I was deployed. I didn't do that because of the hassle that it would have caused. Sorry I couldn't give you a better answer, but as Julie said, would be best to check with your Tri-Care rep.

David

[Laurie1041]

I have Tricare West. Call and ask to speak to someone in the DME department. Ask how much the "allowed amount" is for each piece of replacement equipment. They will ask what area you live in ("allowed amount is based on regions). Ask if they will allow you to purchase your DME from an online provider and mail in the beneficiary claim form.

I will tell you that in my experience with Tricare with respect to paying out of pocket and getting reimbursed via submitting the beneficiary claim form (can be located on the Tricare website under "Forms") that it took over 4 months to get reimbursed. I was happy to get reimbursed. . . finally, but geez! You might want to ask how long Tricare has in order to properly reimburse the beneficiary. Good Luck! Laurie

[karenandwill]

I have Tricare Prime. I started CPAP in July and was told by the local DME supplier that Tricare would replace filters/tubing every 3 months, and masks every 6 months. I wanted to try a new mask, so I ordered online in October. I submitted a beneficiary claim to Tricare, and they reimbursed me the entire cost except for $4, they sent me a check. Took about 3 weeks. I didn't think they would reimburse me, but I sent it in anyway, if they paid they paid, if they didn't they didn't. I was pleasantly surprised.

[pbach]

I have Tricare Prime. I use Optigen (optigen.net) or(militarycpap.com) for my CPAP supplies. They only supply to the military. I receive my supplies quarterly. Everything has gone without a hitch for a year now! I bet they just need your perscription.

[GumbyCT]

Very interesting. I never knew about optigen.net just don't get it confused with optigen.com

David have you ever gotten supplies from optigen.net I see they have a Deployment Pack
They mention a battery pack but don't show it or any specs on it.

[pbach]

I am glad you mentioned the battery pack. I received this battery pack through optigen. It is from respironics. I use it for traveling such as RVing and Camping. It has gotten me through a full night. Not sure about a second night as I have recharged it prior.

http://www.cpaptravelbatterypack.com/ph ... packs.html

[Air Force Retired]

I have Tricare Prime. I use Optigen (optigen.net) or(militarycpap.com) for my CPAP supplies. They only supply to the military. I receive my supplies quarterly. Everything has gone without a hitch for a year now! I bet they just need your perscription.

Thanks for the info. I checked out the Optigen site and they look very promising. Should my local (and only) DME start giving me any static I may just switch to these folks.

[GumbyCT]

I have Tricare Prime. I use Optigen (optigen.net) or(militarycpap.com) for my CPAP supplies. They only supply to the military. I receive my supplies quarterly. Everything has gone without a hitch for a year now! I bet they just need your perscription.

Thanks for the info. I checked out the Optigen site and they look very promising. Should my local (and only) DME start giving me any static I may just switch to these folks.

I certainly would or go to the VA - even better.

[The Texan]

I have Tricare Prime. I use Optigen (optigen.net) or(militarycpap.com) for my CPAP supplies. They only supply to the military. I receive my supplies quarterly. Everything has gone without a hitch for a year now! I bet they just need your perscription.

Thanks for the info. I checked out the Optigen site and they look very promising. Should my local (and only) DME start giving me any static I may just switch to these folks.

I certainly would or go to the VA - even better.

Would be nice, but those that gave 20+ years of their life to the Military, are NOT eligible for the VA services. We have to pay for our health care.

[GumbyCT]

I have Tricare Prime. I use Optigen (optigen.net) or(militarycpap.com) for my CPAP supplies. They only supply to the military. I receive my supplies quarterly. Everything has gone without a hitch for a year now! I bet they just need your perscription.

Thanks for the info. I checked out the Optigen site and they look very promising. Should my local (and only) DME start giving me any static I may just switch to these folks.

I certainly would or go to the VA - even better.

Would be nice, but those that gave 20+ years of their life to the Military, are NOT eligible for the VA services. We have to pay for our health care.

I see, so it comes right out of the check?

fwiw - I served 33

[drj130]

Very interesting. I never knew about optigen.net just don't get it confused with optigen.com

David have you ever gotten supplies from optigen.net I see they have a Deployment Pack
They mention a battery pack but don't show it or any specs on it.

Gumby,

I've never heard of that company until today. I think the reason for this is that I'm station in Germany. What they offer sounds good and is something I'll check into if I ever get back to the states.

[The Texan]

I see, so it comes right out of the check?

fwiw - I served 33

Then you know that up to age 65 we are responsible for 25% of the cost and after 65 we pay $100/mo straight out of our SS check, for the FREE health care for life we were promised in the 50's, when I was sworn in, through the 70's when I retired. Yes, we pay for our medical care, unlike my brother and sister-in-law, who did 4 years and now have full free VA health care.

[BeachGirlHP]

Optigen can supply you with supplies all over the world. All they need is a valid RX and your patient info like address and tricare info and they will ship whatever you need. If you are deploying, they will need an RX for a deployment pack, with how long you will be deployed for, an approximate leaving date and if you need a battery pack ( good for those places with rolling blackouts such as Iraq or Afghanistan) If you have any questions, you can call them at 800-273-9114.