MrT, I believe he will be afraid that any dr visit will result in military finding out. Apparently over the last couple of years something has changed and they have access to all your medical records. Can you really see
Defy or somebody like that and it not show up in your medical record. I did not think that possible at all, even if cash payment. I am quite sure if you get a med through a script it will show up.
My experience, and I've seen a lot of doctors - on-base military (free), civilian (Tricare), and civilian (cash) is that the military doctors do not have access to the civilian doctor's records and vice versa. The VA does not even have access to military records without consent. And of course, civilians do not have access to military records or other civilian provider's records without a signed consent.
It can be a nuisance for typical patients because one has to get copies of civilian labwork, procedures, etc. and take it to the military docs and vice versa if they do not want to repeat the tests. I recently had civilian X-Rays done through Tricare ordered by my military-referred civilian doc that I will take to a military surgeon tomorrow. They are not able to access these records otherwise and I do not need more radiation.
I also make sure to send copies to my cash, telemedicine TRT provider, since they do not have access to these records either.
As far as insurance goes, Tricare does have a record of approved civilian doctor visits for which they pay - this is because they must issue a referral prior to the visit. As far as what information they have, I can only speculate. Their only interest is in whether a visit is approved and getting reimbursed for the copay. I'm fairly certain they do not have, nor care, about the visit reports, results, etc, but will find out for certain today.
I have requested many copies of my records over the years - but have always done this directly through the base (military) or the doctors (civilian) - never through military insurance or civilian insurance (when I used that).
As far as paying cash, there is no record of those visits. However, there can be an indirect record of it, typically in yet a different system. For example, if a cash provider writes a prescription for a controlled substance like Testosterone Cypionate, that will show up somewhere (to prevent duplicate prescriptions). I'm not sure about things like thyroid meds, but will find out for sure tomorrow.
When I see a military provider, they always provide a list of medicines I am on - this list is extremely outdated and laughable - it would be dangerous if anyone actually used it. They ask if it is up-to-date and to make any corrections. I make the corrections and give it back to them. The next time I go, none of the corrections are in the system - it's the same old list.
I am seeing a military surgeon tomorrow, so I will report back if the NDT and/or Test Cyp prescribed by my cash provider is on the list.
