q, I have to disagree with the retired military comment you made. I have Tricare Prime and from what I've heard of other insurance plans it's terrific. Personal story....
A few weeks ago I injured my knee participating in a tug of war game. Knee swelled up to twice it's size. Of course, I put ice on it, elevated and wrapped it that evening. The next morning it was still very swollen, so my wife insisted I see the doc.
Called Tricare to set up an appointment, saw a doc the same day. He gave me anti-inflammatory med, told me to put heat and ice on it and elevate as much as possible. Come back in two weeks if there's no improvement.
The knee was still swollen a week later, with black and blue marks - wife insisted I see the doc (wives are good for things like cracking husbands hard heads in regard to health issues). :-)
I set up an appointment, saw a nurse same day, she brought in a doc to look at my knee. She directed me to go to the emergency room, because, there could be a blood clot or infection. I arrived at the hospital at noon, saw a doc in 45 minutes, took x-rays, took ultrasound to check for blood clot, and set up an appointment for an MRI two days later. Nothing significant was found.
The emergency room doc personally called my orthopedic doc and set up an appointment for the next week to evaluate the MRI. I left the hospital around 4pm. Called to set up an appointment with my doc to get a referral. Two days later I had the referral to see my orthopedist.
Orthopedist found a small torn ligament. My knee should be back to normal in a few weeks.
The entire event cost $48.00 including meds.
I pay $460.00 per year for my entire families health care plan.
I don't hear many retired military members complaining about the health care they receive. We have the benefits of a socialized system, which accesses the advances available to the private sector. And I doubt any health care system in the world would respond as well. |
