How to Avoid TRICARE Debt Collection

  • Published
  • By Mary Buck
  • 6th Medical Support Squadron
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Are you aware that if you avoid payment of medical bills, it will negatively affect your credit, may prevent you from purchasing a home or car and could also be an issue with your security clearance? When your Primary Care Provider authorizes you to seek care at a civilian specialist, the network specialist will file the claim with TRICARE. The specialist will send you monthly statements advising you of the total charges and normally it will indicate, "this is not a bill." Pay attention to the remarks on the statement so you will know if the specialist needs any additional information. Normal claims processing time can take 4-6 weeks so if after this time you continue to receive medical bills, call Palmetto Government Benefit Administrators at 1-800-403-3950 to see what the issue may be. If still unable to resolve, take the time to come and see a TRICARE representatives and engage their assistance. It's very difficult to help resolve the issue if the provider can show you took no action to contact them. Remember it's your responsibility to ensure this does not go unresolved. The examples below are ones seen frequently in the TRICARE Service Center: ➢ You are taken by ambulance to a local hospital. Ambulance staff will not get your insurance information at the time of transport. They deal with the emergency which is the priority. You will receive a bill from the ambulance company and on the bill there normally is a statement to ask you to provide your insurance information. Call immediately and provide the information needed in order for them to file the claim. ➢ When you are seen at an emergency room it's by an emergency room doctor who is sometimes an on call specialist. These doctors bill separately from the hospital. Although, you've provided this information to the hospital, the doctors who may work for another company and will not get the insurance information transferred. It's imperative you contact the company that sent you the bill and provide them with your insurance information. ➢ You are assigned to the TRICARE South Region and are vacationing in California. You suddenly become ill. For life threatening emergencies, always call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room. For acute (non-emergent) care, visit a local urgent care center. Always remember to contact your primary care manager the next business day to advise them of the visit and have a referral submitted to cover the visit and to arrange for any follow-up care if needed. The bottom line is the bill will not go away unless some kind of action is taken. TRICARE representatives are here to help, but the longer you wait to see a representative; the harder it is for us to help you. For more information, visit your local TRICARE Service Center or contact Humana-Military at 1-800-444-5445 or visit www.humana-military.com.