<p>In the most recent package sent to incoming new cadets, there's a piece of paper with what looks like three medical insurance cards on it. Are we supposed to do anything with these cards? Or will we find out what they're for during CBT?</p>
<p>Hmmm. Thats new. Last year there was nothing like that in the mailings.</p>
<p>They may not be insurance cards, but on first look they appeared to be, so that's what i've been calling them. It's like a cream colored piece of paper with three cards that have "USMA CADET MEDICAL BENEFITS" written across the top of each.</p>
<p>Nope,
They didn't send that out last year--something new.</p>
<p>yeah i was wondering about those too....my dad thought that we were just supposed to have them to carry with us or something, but there's really no instructions on what exactly to do with them.</p>
<p>wierd huh?</p>
<p>I also got them, and have no clue what to use them for.</p>
<p>Yeah, I have no clue what to do with them.</p>
<p>Interesting. What do they say?</p>
<p>PG 23 Parents Almanac:
Emergency medical care does not require prior authorization. "Cadets are required to carry a USMA Cadet Medical Benefits Card that outlines procedures to be followed in an emergency and where to file medical claims."</p>
<p>Ah, ok, now I understand. Cadets don't really carry normal insurance cards. In the "Real Army" dependents carry Tricare cards. Instead, cadets carry their ID cards, and a small card with several phone numbers and some instructions on it, the "USMA Cadet Medical Benefits Card." </p>
<p>If you require emergency medical care, they go to the hospital and get care. Call Tricare ASAP so they can start the paperwork and pay the hospital. There is a whole system to guide you through the process. </p>
<p>If you require routine care while you're on leave, Tricare will not pay for it. It's better to wait until you get back to post and get the appointment then. The caveat to that is if you get care at a military facility. </p>
<p>For example, I was on vacation in Key West and got a UTI. I walked into the clinic on the navy base down there and showed them my ID card. They asked me a few questions, gave me a prescription and a copy of the paperwork, and told me to enjoy my vacation. I turned the extra copy of the paper work in to the clinic at USMA and they filed it in my medical record. This wasn't really an emergency, but since I used a provider "in the system" it was fine.</p>
<p>was it caused by e.coli?</p>
<p>tricare prime will cover 50% of the cost of a non-emergency appointment not on a military base</p>
<p>Any chance we are covered already? Or do we have to wait?</p>
<p>ADA - I have no clue, they didn't send me for tests, just listened to my symptoms, went down the flow chart, and gave me drugs. I've had them before, so I knew what it was and gallons of water and cranberry juice weren't cutting it. </p>
<p>Greenapple - true, I'd forgotten that.</p>
<p>Ragman - You'll need an ID card to prove who you are. I'd wait.</p>
<p>sooo...im guessing we should take these with us on rday...</p>
<p>Just make sure you remain on your parents' insurance.</p>