Seven Ways to Keep Military Health Care Affordable

As part of the nation's ongoing effort to givelevel of your plan and whether you or the
back to the men and women who serve ourdoctor's office files your claim. As an example, if
country, the American people decided toyou utilize the point-of-service option (POS) to
advocate free or reasonably priced health caresee a non-network, non-participating physician,
coverage for members of the Armed Forces andthey can charge up to 15 percent more than the
their family members as well as Military retirees.agreed-upon TRICARE rate. Also, if you plan to
TRICARE offers a wide range of health plans forvisit a certain doctor regularly, ask them how you
a variety of medical needs, and many allow forcan make your care more cost effective.
free care or charge a very low rate in5) SAVE with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
comparison to prices paid by the general public.If your employer or your spouse's employer
Nevertheless, costs of co-payments andoffers an FSA, you may want to take advantage
medications, not to mention dental and vision care,of it. An FSA allows an employee to have funds
can add up pretty quickly.deducted from their paycheck, before taxes, for
Here are some ways you can help keep the costmedical care.
of medical care at a manageable level:6) Cut your drug costs. You can really save on
1) Be sure to see the right doctors. While we allmedication by seeking to receive your
want to have the best health care possible, wemedications from a military treatment facility
would also like to obtain that care for the bestwhere they are free. Otherwise, ask your
price. One way to achieve this goal is by going tophysician if a generic drug can be substituted. If it
a military medical facility when possible, such as ais equally effective as the brand name medication,
hospital, clinic or sick bay. You can be assured youa generic drug generally costs two-thirds less
will receive high-quality care at the lowest cost towhen ordered through TRICARE. If not, check
you. If there isn't a military facility located nearother options including discount medications from
you, contact your health insurance plan providerwarehouse club and discount stores to find the
to find the best civilian option.best price.
2) Select the right plan. When choosing coverage7) Deduct what you can. Devise a method to
under TRICARE, review all of the options. (Gokeep track of what you spend on medical care -
online to TRICARE.mil for details.) This plan offerswhether it's a spreadsheet, a notebook, or even a
several coverage levels with different choices forshoebox with receipts. If your costs exceed
selecting providers, etc, at varied cost points.more than 7.5 percent of your income, you could
Weigh all of the options carefully, taking intobe eligible to deduct those expenses from your
consideration factors such as what physicians youtaxes.
will want to see and any anticipated medicalMedical care can be a challenging expense,
needs, before making your choice.particularly when encountering unexpected
3) Stay up to date with checkups. It certainlyconditions. However, by using cost-saving
doesn't pay to skimp on health care just to savestrategies such as the ones discussed above, you
a few bucks, particularly if you have a medicalcan make a substantial difference in the cost of
condition that needs to be monitored. Be surecare for you and your family. For the latest
your children receive all necessary vaccinations,information concerning Military education benefits
and take preventative steps such as gettingand procedures, please visit your education
annual flu shots.counseling office.
4) Ask for the best deal. Talk to the manager ofThis article is based on publicly-accessible
patient accounts and explain your situation. Yourinformation and has not been reviewed or
TRICARE benefits may vary depending on theapproved by any military branch.