I've been retired for 15 years and have never taken employee insurance. Have used Tricare prime only. I also fortunate enough to have a local military base that see's retirees. When I need a referral for a specialist it's only a $12 copay. In fact earlier this year I broke 7 ribs in a motocross accident and the er visit bill was over 13k and only cost me $12. Shortly after my back finally gave out and had a spinal fusion done total bill was well over 100k and only paid a little over $200 for the office visits