Doctors battle TRICARE red tape while trying to support the troops

[Monkeyman]

http://www.al.com/news/1161509262214410.xml&coll=1

There are limits to kind of prescriptions you can write, the kinds of test you can do" Doctors own words.

Friday's column on the critical shortage of medical care for military families here touched a nerve. Phone Calls and e-mails to the Times show this is on a lot of minds.

A quick review: Because so few doctors here accept Tricare insurance, military and retired- military families often must drive to Scottsboro, Decatur and Birmingham to get care, particularly specialty care.

Did you notice the last five reports I posted the care for military families in Red States Suck

[Keepontruking]

1. Health care

You're allowed to put your life on the line for our country,
you're just not allowed to get sick or injured didn't you read
the fine print?  There is a new war going on and it has taken
all our money , China's money and whoever elses.....sorry no
help for you now ...your old time .

That's Bushie thinking..that is why he went AWOL!!!!  Couldn't
afford to be injured or ill.

I feel your pain and will write my congressmen and senators
about the health care of our heros...one is McCain and
although I think He is a little too close to Bush he did go
through a lot so maybe he will at least hear me.    Circus
girl    You have my thanks  Monkey Man!!!

[peacebaby3]

2. I am in that Red State and I can personally vouch for how much it sucks!

I've often laughed when I have heard things about how people in the military have it made because of benefits (which are not free...we have to pay) because I know how poor they are. Granted, there are many Americans without insurance so I don't want to complain too much, but I would say TRICARE is about one step above no insurance. The thought of depending on them when I am older or if, God forbid, my husband or I had a life threatening illness horrifies me.

The combo of this insurance and the stupid Dr's. on base/post is really scary. One Dr. diagnosed my husband with a venereal disease when he actually had a kidney stone. While fighting TRICARE to get care off post since there wasn't a urologist on post and we lived an hour and a half away, my husband had a severe attack in the middle of the night so I rushed him to the emergency room, but since it wasn't TRICARE approved, they wouldn't pay. They said if we were worried about payment, we should have driven an hour and a half to the post hospital. If anyone here has had a kidney stone attack, you will probably understand why you wouldn't want to drive an hour and a half just to get to some relief.

It is really hard for me to imagine the troops that have been injured in combat trying to deal with these people! Thank God my husband wasn't injured while in Iraq!