CBO says military health-care costs could soar

[formerlurker]

alp227 (15,186 posts)

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CBO says military health-care costs could soar
Source: The Washington Post

Active and retired service personnel and their families are increasing their use of the military health care system at a faster rate than civilians enrolled in comparable private health programs, according to a report by the Congressional Budget Office.

As a result, the annual cost to the Defense Department’s health care program could grow from $51 billion in fiscal 2013 to $65 billion by 2017 and $90 billion by 2030, according to CBO estimates in the report, “Long-Term Implications of the 2013 Future Years Defense Program,” which was released Wednesday.

That means, according to the CBO projections, the Defense Department, which will pay out 9 percent of its base budget for health care in fiscal 2013, would be paying out 14 percent in 2030, roughly equivalent to what it spends today on all military research and development programs.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/cbo-says-military-health-care-costs-could-soar/2012/07/16/gJQAFLVQpW_singlePage.html

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014168133

Star Member dixiegrrrrl (25,171 posts)
1. Next will be headlines demonizing the "entitlements" of military families and vets..wait, just wait.

From Mother Jones and Huffington?   I expect so.

[NHSparky]

Considering that this administration has demonized veterans and basically tried to find any way to get them to pony up more for that which they were promised, including retirement pay, medical benefits...but Obama wants to court our vote?

Stop. Hurt. Sides. Laughing.

[notaDUmmie]

IMO, TriCare is the perfect example of how screwed up government-run, single-payer healtchare is. 

I'm retired AF, and use free TriCare as a secondary payer to my primary insurance that I get through my employer.  While enjoying a "ladies' weeked" in Rehoboth Beach, DE last October, I tripped on a raised sidewalk edge and broke two ribs.  Went to the ER, where my primary insurance pays all but $100.  TriCare was billed for the $100, and they just paid it this week, 9 months later!

[NHSparky]

IMO, TriCare is the perfect example of how screwed up government-run, single-payer healtchare is. 

I'm retired AF, and use free TriCare as a secondary payer to my primary insurance that I get through my employer.  While enjoying a "ladies' weeked" in Rehoboth Beach, DE last October, I tripped on a raised sidewalk edge and broke two ribs.  Went to the ER, where my primary insurance pays all but $100.  TriCare was billed for the $100, and they just paid it this week, 9 months later!

And yet there are those who learn I did 12 years who ask me why I didn't finish my 20.

See above.

[notaDUmmie]

And yet there are those who learn I did 12 years who ask me why I didn't finish my 20.

See above.

Hubby and I did our 20, but with the exception of our son being born in a military hospital, our kids never saw military doctors.  We paid out of pocket for a supplemental plan that picked up most of what TriCare didn't, and utilized civilian doctors for the kids.

And one of the big reasons the military healthcare costs are exploding?  Because since the care is free, people take their kids in for every sniffle and sneeze.

[NHSparky]

Hubby and I did our 20, but with the exception of our son being born in a military hospital, our kids never saw military doctors.  We paid out of pocket for a supplemental plan that picked up most of what TriCare didn't, and utilized civilian doctors for the kids.

And one of the big reasons the military healthcare costs are exploding?  Because since the care is free, people take their kids in for every sniffle and sneeze.

Exactly--couple that with the fact that the remaining WWII vets are in their 90's, Korea vets are in their 80's, and even the youngest Vietnam vets are in their late 50's/early 60's, and you start seeing the REAL issue.

Iraq and Afghanistan vets account for less than 5 percent of VA caseload.

[Freeper]

Star Member dixiegrrrrl (25,171 posts)
1. Next will be headlines demonizing the "entitlements" of military families and vets..wait, just wait.

They really are this clueless.

[Chris_]

They really are this clueless.

Some of them need a foot broke off in their ass.  Ghouls.

[NHSparky]

They really are this clueless.

Considering their side is the ones doing the demonizing, they just don't want to own up to it.

[DumbAss Tanker]

alp227 (15,186 posts)

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CBO says military health-care costs could soar
Source: The Washington Post

After the travesty of dishonesty, lies, and projections base on obviously-false assumptions the CBO committed in getting Obamacare costed out so it could be voted, they have no credibility whatsoever and should all just be shipped off to perform meaningless sand-shoveling in penal labor camps for the rest of their lives, which would still be several times more productive than what they do now.

And the Washington Post...the mouthpiece of the DNC, I would rather use dried leaves to wipe my ass than upgrade the content of that rag with my waste.

[formerlurker]

And one of the big reasons the military healthcare costs are exploding?  Because since the care is free, people take their kids in for every sniffle and sneeze.

That kind of makes me laugh out loud.  It's not the children's sick visits that is making healthcare costs explode.   Note that those young enough to have children are probably AD and live on or near an MTF so they seek treatment there.   Those who do not live anywhere near an MTF usually have primary insurance (through civilian employer) and use Tricare as backup.   Note also that Tricare is accepted by very few providers outside of major AD base/retiree areas, although it is accepted at major hospitals.

The reason why healthcare costs are exploding is because the retirees are aging.   Congress has attempted several times to get them off Tricare and on Medicare, but at the end of the day it would just be a different pot of taxpayer money, which makes this all so disingenious and most likely a very orchestrated attack against military benefits.    Some Pentagon brass would rather spend far less on benefits and more on weapon systems and equipment. 

Always been this way.

[formerlurker]

Exactly--couple that with the fact that the remaining WWII vets are in their 90's, Korea vets are in their 80's, and even the youngest Vietnam vets are in their late 50's/early 60's, and you start seeing the REAL issue.

Iraq and Afghanistan vets account for less than 5 percent of VA caseload.

This isn't referring exclusively to the cost of VA hospitals - it's healthcare costs through Tricare for life.   The 20 year folks use it (as they should) and are aging.   That is not rocket science.

[notaDUmmie]

That kind of makes me laugh out loud.  It's not the children's sick visits that is making healthcare costs explode.   Note that those young enough to have children are probably AD and live on or near an MTF so they seek treatment there.   Those who do not live anywhere near an MTF usually have primary insurance (through civilian employer) and use Tricare as backup.   Note also that Tricare is accepted by very few providers outside of major AD base/retiree areas, although it is accepted at major hospitals.

The reason why healthcare costs are exploding is because the retirees are aging.   Congress has attempted several times to get them off Tricare and on Medicare, but at the end of the day it would just be a different pot of taxpayer money, which makes this all so disingenious and most likely a very orchestrated attack against military benefits.    Some Pentagon brass would rather spend far less on benefits and more on weapon systems and equipment. 

Always been this way.

No doubt that the aging military retiree population is a contributing factor, however, the overuse of medical care is also a factor.  Sorry, but you when you've got 3 kids and you take all of them to the doctor for every sniffle and sneeze, the costs add up.  The fact that treatment is in an MTF doesn't negate the fact that there is a cost involved.  But like everything else that is "free" to the person using it, they don't care, because it costs them nothing.

Military retirees over age 65 are on Medicare - TriCare for Life is the supplemental, except for overseas areas.  It's been that way for years.  In addition, employers that offer health insurance are no longer permitted to subsidize TriCare supplements for their retired (military) employees that are TriCare eligible, which is meant to help push employees off of TriCare and onto the employee plans.

[Bad Dog]

The reason more service members families & retirees are going to MTFs is because more & more civillian doctors are refusing Tricare. On top of lower payments than Medicare & even Medicade they take forever to pay.

[notaDUmmie]

The reason more service members families & retirees are going to MTFs is because more & more civillian doctors are refusing Tricare. On top of lower payments than Medicare & even Medicade they take forever to pay.

Yep.  I think the only reason as many places take it as do now is because if a provider takes Medicare, they have to take TriCare as well.

[Bad Dog]

Yep.  I think the only reason as many places take it as do now is because if a provider takes Medicare, they have to take TriCare as well.

The Boss & I are both on Tricare for life.  I tried to move over to my wife's doc. in Nov 2011. He gave me an appointment for Apr. 2013.

[Crazy Horse]

That kind of makes me laugh out loud.  It's not the children's sick visits that is making healthcare costs explode.   Note that those young enough to have children are probably AD and live on or near an MTF so they seek treatment there.   Those who do not live anywhere near an MTF usually have primary insurance (through civilian employer) and use Tricare as backup.   Note also that Tricare is accepted by very few providers outside of major AD base/retiree areas, although it is accepted at major hospitals.

The reason why healthcare costs are exploding is because the retirees are aging.   Congress has attempted several times to get them off Tricare and on Medicare, but at the end of the day it would just be a different pot of taxpayer money, which makes this all so disingenious and most likely a very orchestrated attack against military benefits.    Some Pentagon brass would rather spend far less on benefits and more on weapon systems and equipment. 

Always been this way.

Sorry I've been in the er at balboa on a Sunday night.  I arrived at 7pm and was seen gor my broken arm at 1130pm.  All the people ahead of me had kids with the siffles

[Doc Savage]

That kind of makes me laugh out loud.  It's not the children's sick visits that is making healthcare costs explode.   Note that those young enough to have children are probably AD and live on or near an MTF so they seek treatment there.   Those who do not live anywhere near an MTF usually have primary insurance (through civilian employer) and use Tricare as backup.   Note also that Tricare is accepted by very few providers outside of major AD base/retiree areas, although it is accepted at major hospitals.

The reason why healthcare costs are exploding is because the retirees are aging.   Congress has attempted several times to get them off Tricare and on Medicare, but at the end of the day it would just be a different pot of taxpayer money, which makes this all so disingenious and most likely a very orchestrated attack against military benefits.    Some Pentagon brass would rather spend far less on benefits and more on weapon systems and equipment. 

Always been this way.

As a retired HM  I can tell you that is exactly what happens.  I actually heard a compalint of a fever for about an hour once.  The ER see's everything that comes in, appointments are taken up by complaints like that.  We used to have people complain that there were no appointments available during sick call. 

The Pharmacy has to do over the counter items, I heard people complain when we ran out of 100 count aspirin bottles.  (about 1.30 at the exchange).  I know, free medical care was promised. 

Your problem with different pots of money is this.  Tricare covers things that medicare does not.  So, when the ACA is enacted, and all of the retirees are FORCED to go to medicare, they receive less coverage, may actually loose their providers, because believe it or not. Some providers actually believe that they should do better than loosing money when they see a patient.  Funny how that works. 

[formerlurker]

No doubt that the aging military retiree population is a contributing factor, however, the overuse of medical care is also a factor.  Sorry, but you when you've got 3 kids and you take all of them to the doctor for every sniffle and sneeze, the costs add up.  The fact that treatment is in an MTF doesn't negate the fact that there is a cost involved.  But like everything else that is "free" to the person using it, they don't care, because it costs them nothing.

Military moms take their children to MTF doctors no more frequently than civilian moms do - if your kid is suspected of strep or ear infection you go.  After being heavily immersed in both worlds, I really see no difference.

Military retirees over age 65 are on Medicare - TriCare for Life is the supplemental, except for overseas areas.  It's been that way for years.  In addition, employers that offer health insurance are no longer permitted to subsidize TriCare supplements for their retired (military) employees that are TriCare eligible, which is meant to help push employees off of TriCare and onto the employee plans.

My husband has our primary insurance through his civilian employer with Tricare as secondary.  I have three children.   I have NEVER looked at Tricare as, well since it's free then let's go with regard to doctor visits.   I really don't know of any other military mom who does.    I remember the supplemental insurance you can buy for Tricare many many YEARS ago, we had it and it was horrible.    I didn't even know that is still around.  

I just asked my husband about medicare and he said what you said - I could have sworn I remember a lawsuit about that a long time ago, which the retirees were successful with.    My error.

[formerlurker]

The reason more service members families & retirees are going to MTFs is because more & more civillian doctors are refusing Tricare. On top of lower payments than Medicare & even Medicade they take forever to pay.

If you live near an MTF.    The further you get away from an active duty base, the few doctors you will find who take Tricare.   

[formerlurker]

Yep.  I think the only reason as many places take it as do now is because if a provider takes Medicare, they have to take TriCare as well.

That is absolutely not true here in the Northeast.   Tricare providers are not in abundance here.

[formerlurker]

Sorry I've been in the er at balboa on a Sunday night.  I arrived at 7pm and was seen gor my broken arm at 1130pm.  All the people ahead of me had kids with the siffles

Really?  Did the parents actually tell you their kid was there for the sniffles? 

[formerlurker]

The Boss & I are both on Tricare for life.  I tried to move over to my wife's doc. in Nov 2011. He gave me an appointment for Apr. 2013.

In MA, general practitioners (PCPs) are in very short supply.   The state's medical school provides significant financial aid for any medical student entering this field or pediatrics.  

[formerlurker]

That all said - to my earlier point, a child sick visit (for the sniffles no less) is very inexpensive.   Diagnostic testing/treatment associated with ailments one gets with aging is far more expensive.   

[Bad Dog]

In MA, general practitioners (PCPs) are in very short supply.   The state's medical school provides significant financial aid for any medical student entering this field or pediatrics.  

We're going to need a lot more of that if "O" care takes effect.  By the way, I've got a doctor I just wanted a good doctor.