Tricare in Lakeside - it worked for me

[elpind]

I thought I would pass this on to those who use Tricare. I went to Lakeside Medical Group (across from Bruno's) on 10/08/12 for services. After that I left Chapala and did not return until April. Sometime in April I went to the post office to check my mail expecting to find my usual TelMex bill. Much to my surprise I found a Tricare EOB in my mailbox (with my Chapala home address) which has been paid!!

I am not sure if others have had this experience but I did want to share this with others who are Tricare eligible. I do belive those who are Tricare eligible should try them out, if we don't use it we may lose it!!

[carib]

Where did you buy Tricare? Explain more about this service. Thanks

[RVGRINGO]

Tricare is a military program which also covers family, widows, etc. You cannot buy it.

[Hernan Santiago]

Did not the Tricare office in Ajijic close several months ago?

[Tingting]

Elpind...thanks for the info. To date, I´ve just paid the bills and sent them to the TRICARE offices. If we have a local provider, that will make life a lot less complicated. I´ll definitely check them out. One question...since Obamacare was implemented´, they´ve changed TRICARE Prime (not for the better). I realize that we´re only eligible in the US for it, but has it made any difference as an overseas user for you?

BTW, TRICARE is actually a medical program for active duty military members and their immediate families, retired vets and their immediate eligible family members (spouses, children up to a certain age), etc.

[shirlppt]

Do you happen to know if this also applies to Tricare for life, for retired reservists?

[Dr.Santiago]

AS long as the paperwork is done right, TRICARE will pay for medical care by a licensed healthcare provider in the country that you are in.

I just contact TRICARE or the VA to make sure that my prospective patient is still covered.

[george]

I'm retired AF MSGT and 100% VA. I've been using the VA Foreign medical program since the late 90"s or early 2000 (sporadically til 2003 and full time since).

These two programs require you to pay up front and then file and wait months for reimbursement. At least thats true of VA. I've not used tricare since I moved here

full time in 2003.

As we get older we face the possibility of being disabled to the point that individually, we may be unable to keep up the paperwork. Since I'm single that worries me.

So...late last year I went to Lakeside Medical Group. Part of their appeal was that they were going to front the expenses and then recover their money from tricare or the VA. I was in need of immediate but not emergency medical treatment and they told me they did not have the money until the next year. When they contacted me nearly two months later saying they now had the necessary funds I told them not to bother. I don't know if they are still in operation.

I'm currently awaiting repayment for cancer/hospital bills of 80,000 pesos from the VA, filed 13 Mar 13. I have another 16,000 that I will file for this week.

That makes 96000 pesos +- out in the ether.

I also have Blue Cross/Blue Shield but you need to get their permission before you use it. Don't know how they operate in a emergency.

Don't know what a tricare EOB is. george

[RVGRINGO]

EOB is Explanation Of Benefit.

[elpind]

Elpind...thanks for the info. To date, I´ve just paid the bills and sent them to the TRICARE offices. If we have a local provider, that will make life a lot less complicated. I´ll definitely check them out. One question...since Obamacare was implemented´, they´ve changed TRICARE Prime (not for the better). I realize that we´re only eligible in the US for it, but has it made any difference as an overseas user for you?

BTW, TRICARE is actually a medical program for active duty military members and their immediate families, retired vets and their immediate eligible family members (spouses, children up to a certain age), etc.

Tingting - I have only used Tricare Standard for many years, both here and in the U.S. so I can not say if it makes any difference.

Do you happen to know if this also applies to Tricare for life, for retired reservists?

I am not yet eligible for TFL. I have read up a little on it and at this time I am expecting it to be available but with Obumma Care lurking who knows what will happen. Todate we need to only have Medicare A&B to qualify for TFL.

[RocketPossum]

Search on TRICare and everything is explained. I, my Mexican wife and stepchildren are covered and use it. You do not need to go through Chapala Medical Group except for medicines which you take regularly. You just send the bill and the Tricae form downloadble from the Tricare site, to their address in Wisconsin. If you are going to have surgery, there is a pone number to obtain pre-authorization.

[Aquaponicsman]

My next door neighbor is a good friend and a doctor who practices lakeside and has been successful in getting several different NOB insurance companies to authorize treatment here and pay, including Tricare. He just went to Chicago for 2 weeks, but when he gets back I will ask him to write up an informative post about his successes and get him to post it on this site.

[maryanram]

Thamk you for this info. I know several people who have either Tricare Prime or Tricare for Life who would love to be able to use insurance instead of "cash pay" even if we pay up front and then get reimbursed

[fordtruckman]

Originally called Medijic Clinic I've used the services provided by LMG (Lakeside Medical Group) since they began.

I've found the doctors and staff to be competent and concerned for my wellness. The convenience they provide in the billing of my ChampVA insurance is priceless.