Jessica and Steve

I've wasted about $600. Just thrown it right out the window. It sucks. Let me tell you how it happened...

Steve's recruiter said tricare enrollment was not automatic and he would have to sign us up. I was sent a pamphlet explaining the different options, as well as a letter saying enrollment was not automatic. During boot camp, there was no way Steve was going to have enough time to actually get ahold of tricare and set it all up during the few minutes he was given a phone each week. Plus, those few minutes were precious to us and our relationship. So we kept my benefits until he could get to tech school and have time to do it.

He gets to tech school and calls them to enroll us. We are already enrolled - since his first day of boot camp - automatically. What!? So I immediately call my HR to cancel. We've wasted $600 by having double coverage for no reason. They won't let me cancel because I didn't do it within 30 days of changing coverage. Like I said, we didn't know we were covered.

I don't think it's right or legal to force someone to keep benefits, to make them pay for something they don't want or need. I may be wrong about the legal part, but I still don't think it's right. So the only solution I'm given is to separate from the system, leave the company instead of transferring, and do a rehire instead here in my new state. Fine. Done.

Got my paycheck on Friday, and what do I see? Medical taken out! Grrrrr... Fuming all weekend because I felt lied to. I didn't know what was going on with it, and couldn't do anything about it (if anything) until today.

I called today. What she "thinks" happened is this... I wasn't separated from the system the day of my last work day (a Saturday), but on the following Monday and so it was charging me for those 2 days. She says I should have only been charged for a partial and not the full week, and that I should be reimbursed (after she emails them) for the rest. And that this coming Friday, should not have medical taken out. Heads are gonna roll if medical is taken out. I don't like wasting that much money every week.

I understand not being able to enroll in benefits or change plans whenever the heck you want (like it is with all companies), but you should be allowed to drop them whenever.

So to anyone joining the Air Force, enrollment is automatic. Let's make that clear. You the veteran, get full coverage immediately, your dependents get coverage under standard. Enrollment in Prime and such is not automatic, but the Standard coverage is. Standard is crap, but it's still coverage, just be sure to up your coverage as soon as you can.


And to anyone reading this, if you know where I work, please do not say it. I'm not trying to get my company in trouble or get in trouble myself. Just venting my frustration. Thanks. :)