I don’t know about you, but if I call and get one more automated virtual assistant, I will throw my phone. Whoever invented the “please tell me why you are calling” I will hunt you down. Why? You try calling Tricare or other businesses regarding a question with three screaming kids in the background. It is hard enough without the automated lady; it’s harder when she mistakes your child’s cries as #3 for calling in Chinese. I always felt comfort knowing when something came up I could easily go to our local Tricare office and talk to a live person- in English. However, it looks like even those days are over. Last month it was reported that Tricare will close its walk-in offices due to low number of walk-ins and cost.
In November of this year, Militarytimes.com reported that the 189 walk-in Tricare locations will shut its doors next year (all overseas locations will remain open). So start practicing your Chinese, don’t use a Bluetooth when calling (they seem to never hear me on them) and find a safe, quiet and sane room to conduct your Tricare calls in. And if all else fails- scream human into the phone (yelling “representative” seems to work too).