Tricare Help: Do I need supplemental insurance?
A. Unless you have other health insurance or enroll in Tricare Prime, I suggest you consider buying a bona fide, specially written, Tricare supplement. But ultimately, this is a decision only you can make. The Tricare Web site can give you many of the materials you’ll need to decide: Go to www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/overview/Plans and study the payment methods for Tricare Standard, Prime and Extra and the way each of those plans operates. You can download a handbook for each plan. Next, click the “Tricare Regions” link and make a permanent record of contact information for your Regional Tricare Office. Call them to discuss questions you will have regarding the catastrophic cap, provider participation and difficulties you may have in finding a Tricare Standard provider who will participate in Tricare on all your claims. Ask whether Tricare Prime is available where you live. Contact each of the several national military associations for information about the Tricare supplements they
