Damn, I hate whatever bureaucracy drives our medical system. For example, Tricare Prime will pay whatever amount on a bill my surgeon will submit shortly. Were this an actual surgical procedure bill it would be understandable, but no, thanks to who knows what idiotic freaking regs are in existence in order for me to receive, not my first, but my second surgery from the same doctor for the same problem (right wrist surgery carpal tunnel release) instead of my left wrist, I hate to drive 78 miles to his office in Tucson for a five minute interview so I could sign a release form and let him know all about my Med cruise since he and I remembered each other from this past December's surgery. For that, Tucson Orthopedics will bill Tricare some ungodly amount, Tricare will reimburse at it sees fit and meanwhile the gas money and $12 co-pay I spent is about all the visit was worth, if that. Medicine has to be streamlined. It was not my choice to do this dumbshit interview, particularly because I know and trust the surgeon and we've done this before, AND he likewise would rather have spent his time fixing severe carpal tunnel syndrome cases instead of listening to my itinerary. We are all victims of this system and I, for one, would love to find someone who had the capacity to streamline procedures so that time and money are not wasted with ridiculous CYA procedures and paperwork drills.
Tricare is basically obamacare, except it only serves a limited amount of the population who are or were affiliated with the military. I shudder to envision the future abyss.