Civilian vs Military Hospital?

Question

This isn't really a political question BUT I would like to know people's personal experiences or opinions.

Hubby and I just found out we are pregnant like we planned. Do civilian hospitals or military hospitals offer better care overall during pregnancy and birth?

My husband is in the Army and said a lot of his buddies told him to get the care off post. Will Tricare cover the medical care if I do decide to go off post?

What are your opinions?

Answer 1

We had four children during my Navy career. Three were born in civilian hospitals. Tri-Care only covers it if your local military treatment facility issues a "non availability" statement. That tells you the care is not available there or that their OB-GYN service is overwhelmed with patients. That statement will be needed to engage the services of a doctor off-base as well. Even then, you will have a co-pay.

Answer 2

I guess it all depends on where you live and what is available to you.

My husband is in the Navy. When I had my daughter we lived in a small town and the nearest military hospital was 1 hour away. The clinic on base where we lived did not see any pregnant women, no matter what the reason. Our only option was a civilian doctor and a civilian hospital. I had a wonderful experience and had wonderful care.

Where we live now there are two military hospitals in the area that deliver babies. I do know since this is such a large military area these hospitals are often full and Tricare will refer patients out to OB/GYN's that accept Tricare. No cost will occur out of your pocket if this happens (or at least it shouldn't). If you decide to have an ultrasound to determine the sex of the baby that is your responsibility and Tricare will not cover it.

Your best bet is to contact Tricare and ask what your options are and what you need to do to find an OB/GYN. The doctor that you choose (or they choose for you) will determine which hospital you will have your baby.

If you end up with a doctor that you are unhappy with you have the right to call Tricare and change doctors.

Congratulations!

Answer 3

I had this same issue when I was pregnant with my little girl. Most of the time, tricare demands that you go to a military hospital if possible. Fortunately for me, I got pregnant around the time a TON of people were coming home from Iraq, which is always followed by a wave of new babies. They were swamped, so I got the option of an off base doctor. I would recommend that if you get that option, you should take it. There are some very good military doctors. But the fact is, they don't have to compete for their business like civilian doctors do, and often get complacent about things. I had to go to the naval hospital for my initial exam before I switched doctors, and it was a miserable experience. They spent a good 45 minutes trying to figure out if I was supposed to get an ultrasound when we were RIGHT NEXT to the machine, when the nurse did my pelvic exam she stuck the little q-tip in the jar and turned it over, spilling the contents all over me, the floor, and the computer, then left me sitting there in an uncomfortable and embarrassing position while someone came in and cleaned up the mess.
I'm not saying good military doctors don't exist - I have met several who are very good and very caring. I'm just saying that civilian doctors have more of an incentive to do a good job, and aren't in such a huge hurry.
Oh, and even with a civilian doctor and a c-section, I didn't pay a penny through the whole thing. Tricare covered it all.

Answer 4

Civilian Hospitals offer better care but are most costly. Understand that the Staff at Civilian Hospitals are usually better qualified and have more experience. That's where the money is!! Military MD's usually attract the less experienced Docs who are getting their experience on Military personnel. Unfortunately, I had a bad experience with an oral surgeon at Portsmouth Naval Hospital and I am skeptical of the Military Docs skills since.

Answer 5

I was in a Navy and an Air Force Hospital for different surgeries and I had no trouble except with a civilian nurse who trying to diagnose. The doctor had to set her straight. But that is standard practice in civilian hospitals too.

Answer 6

I haven't found one to be better than the other. If your assigned hospital is the military hospital, you probably don't have a choice anyway. I would just go ahead and have the baby in the military hospital. It won't be a problem.

Answer 7

Tough question. For my own needs I'd go to the VA but then, I don't think I'll ever get pregnant sense I'm a male. Maybe you should listen to your husband's friends but I put my faith in the VA. I've worked in three hospitals and I have yet to find any of them that is as good as the VA.

Congrats and good luck.

Answer 8

i had 3 babies in a military hospital 1 with complaications and i had a wonderful experences each time. but i have hear horror stories about both. the important thing is that you are comfortable with your dr. and yes tri-care will cover you going off base but i believe there is a co pay if you do.

Answer 9

im married to a sailor, and we have 2 beautiful boys- my first son was born @ portsmouth naval hospital, and it was a great experiance... the staff @ the hospital was great {including one great corpsman who helped me SO much-- and he was like 19 years old lol}

i had my other son @ condell hospital in libertyville il, which was also an EXCELLENT experiance... ive had lots of dealing iwth NAVMEDCEN Portsmouth- and other than one really mean lpn i really like that hospital.

all in all, it just depends on who ya get-- just like a civi hospital.. there are good docs, and bad docs.... its just luck of the draw.... military docs arent - in general- arent better or worse than civvi.... they have the same strengths and weaknesses, just like civvi docs.