VA Compensation Rate Tables 2003 Correction: The 100% VA disability compensation rate given in the 20 DEC Bulletin Update should have read $2,193 vice $2,128.

DEERS Disenrollment: If a military sponsor's family member's eligibility has not been individually verified within the last 4 years (normally in conjunction with ID card renewal), that family member is disenrolled and is no longer eligible for TRICARE health and pharmacy benefits. The military sponsor is responsible for disenrolling his or her family members from DEERS when they are no longer eligible for TRICARE (because of the marriage of a minor child, divorce of a spouse who is not eligible for continued TRICARE benefits, enlistment of a child in the military, etc.). TRICARE contractors check DEERS before processing claims to make sure patients are eligible for TRICARE benefits. A claim may be paid in error because there was no record in DEERS of a divorce, death, or dropping/declining Medicare Part B. For claims paid by mistake, the government is required by law to retrieve the money from the person to whom it was incorrectly paid regardless of who was responsible for the mistake. Improperly receiving care may also be considered fraud. [Source: THEMS Newsletter NOV 02]

Multiple Sclerosis: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the brain and spinal cord. The illness is thought to result from an autoimmune attack on the central nervous system focused on myelin, which is a protective coating on nerves. The symptoms of MS are highly variable, depending on the areas of the central nervous system that have been affected. Initial symptoms most often include difficulty in walking, abnormal sensations such as numbness, and visual problems due to optic neuritis, and inflammation of the optic nerve. There is no cure for this disease, although drugs can help slow the course of the disease or symptoms in some patients. Approximately 350,000 Americans have MS, and about 200 new cases are diagnosed each week, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. VA medical centers treat at least 22,000 patients each year who have MS. More than 11,193 veterans receive disability compensation for the illness.
     Recent research advances by VA investigators in Seattle and Portland include the development of a TCR peptide vaccination for MS and the NIH funded trial of interferon-beta-1a for relapsing MS that ultimately led to the FDA licensing of Avonex. Research investigators in Seattle and Portland continue to work with the MS Research and Training Center at the University of Washington. The MS center at the Baltimore VAMC has played a major role in the development of new disease modifying treatments for MS. The center participated in trials of interferons and glatiramer acetate that are now approved treatments for MS. The Baltimore center has been in the forefront in the use of potassium channel blockers as symptomatic therapies for MS. In the application of new technologies to rehabilitation, the center has been a pioneer developing a program that is applying advances in gait training and maintenance therapy to MS patients.
     To qualify for VA disability compensation for MS, a veteran must have a current diagnosis of the disease and there must be evidence that it developed in service or to a compensable degree within seven years following separation from active duty. To receive health care, veterans generally must be enrolled with VA. Veterans with MS are eligible for VA health care and are exempt from co-payment requirements for hospital and outpatient medical services if they are receiving compensation for any service-connected disability, receiving care for a service-connected disability or if their income is at or below the congressionally established income limits. These veterans may be subject to co-payments for medication. Exempted from medication co-payments are veterans whose service-connected conditions are 50 percent or greater, whose medication is for the service-condition or whose income is at or below the pension threshold. All veterans are eligible to enroll for VA health care. Veterans can obtain information on enrollment by calling 1-877-222-8387.
[Source: NAUS Update for 13 December 2002]

DFAS 1099R for 2002: The 2002 1099R tax forms for all Department of Defense military retirees and annuitants will be mailed by Jan. 15, 2003 to the home addresses on file with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Former spouses who receive pay as a result of a court ordered division of community property will also receive 1099Rs. Retirees and annuitants, who do not receive a 1099R by 31 JAN 2003 or have questions about their 1099R forms, should call 1 (800) 321-1080 or (216) 522-5955. When calling to request a reissue of the 2002 1099R, press "1" when prompted and the call will be forwarded to the next available Customer Service Representative. Customer service representatives are available Monday though Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. EST (except federal holidays). Paydays, or the first business day of each month, are the busiest days. Mondays are also characteristically busy. Beginning Jan. 11 until Feb. 15, Saturday service will be available from 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. EST. Callers should expect to receive the reissued 1099R approximately seven business days after the initial request. Requesters may also write following addresses for service and are reminded to always include their Social Security number and signature in all correspondence.

Retirees: DFAS, U.S. Military Retired Pay, P.O. Box 7130, London, KY 40742-7130 Fax: 1 (800) 469-6559
Annuitants: DFAS, U.S. Military Annuitant Pay, P.O. Box 7131, London, KY 40742-7131 Fax: 1 (800) 982-8459

There are several ways to update addresses to ensure delivery of 2002 1099R, Retired Account and Annuitant Account Statement:

* Log onto http://www.dfas.mil and click on "Contact DFAS." Scroll down the page to the appropriate title, i.e., Retiree Pay or Annuitant Pay. For Annuitants, simply complete the form and send. For Retirees, scroll down and click on questions or comments regarding retired pay. Select "Military Retiree," then fill out the data fields. After you have completed your inquiry, click "Submit" at the bottom of the page. Email inquiries will be answered in five to seven business days.

* Use the Employee/Member Self Service (E/MSS) at http://emss.dfas.mil

* Call 1-800-321-1080.

* Send a letter or fax to the address listed above.

     The amount withheld for state taxes does not automatically change when an address update is submitted. A letter requesting to change your state taxes is required. Include your Social Security number, printed name and signature. The monthly amount deducted for state taxes must be in whole dollars (no cents) and a minimum of $10.
     Federal tax exemption does not automatically carry over into the next tax year. IRS regulations stipulate that a new W-4 must be completed before Feb. 15 each year to maintain exempt status. To have a W-4 processed before that cutoff date, submit a completed W-4 form after Jan. 1, 2003 but before Feb. 10, 2003 to the address or fax number listed above.
     If your marital status has changed due to marriage, divorce, or death, your Survivor Benefit Plan [SBP] election may need to be updated. Send a copy of the marriage certificate, divorce decree, or death certificate along with a brief letter to update your SBP election. Include your Social Security number and signature. Submit your request to the address or fax number listed above.
     Retirees should note that changing an SBP election does not automatically change beneficiary information for arrears of pay [AOP]. The arrears of pay are any unpaid monies due the retiree up to the date of death. Complete a Change of Beneficiary form to update your AOP beneficiary(ies). You may request these forms by contacting the Retired and Annuity Pay Contact Center at the phone number listed above.
[Source: Air Force Retiree News 10 DEC 02]

TRDP Update: The Department of Defense has awarded Delta Dental Plan of California a contract to provide services for the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP). This is a five-year renewal contract and is valued at approximately $987 million. The new contract which becomes effective May 1, 2003 provides an enhanced dental benefit package and improved customer service for retirees. TRDP provide a dental plan to uniformed service retirees and their family members, certain surviving members of deceased active duty sponsors and to Medal of Honor recipients and their immediate family members and survivors. It offers dental coverage throughout the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Canada. All premiums are paid by those enrolled and vary depending on where they live.
     The new contract reduces the mandatory enrollment obligation to only 12 months, after which enrollees can remain in the program on a month-to-month basis. Additionally, the waiting period for a full scope of benefits has been reduced to just 12 months, after which 50 percent coverage for crowns, bridges, full/partial dentures and orthodontics goes into effect. The program continues to carry a $50 per person, per year deductible, but now also includes a family cap of $150 and an increased annual maximum amount of $1,200 against which preventive and diagnostic services are not counted. Coverage for these services, as well as for basic restorative services, periodontics, endodontics, oral surgery and dental emergencies is available immediately on the effective date of coverage. Crowns, bridges, full and partial dentures and orthodontics are available after 12 months continuous enrollment.
     Retirees and their family members can obtain more information about the program at http://www.tricare.osd.mil or by visiting the Delta Dental Plan of California Web site at http://www.ddpdelta.org  Delta Dental may also be contacted at Delta Dental Plan of California, Federal Services, P.O. Box 537008, Sacramento, CA 95853-7008 or email at ddpenroll@delta.org for enrollment and ddpservice@delta.org for customer service. You can also call (888) 838-8737 M-F 07-1700 PST for new enrollments, changes and related correspondence or (888) 336-3260 M-F 0815-1630 PST excluding holidays. [Source: Air Force Retiree News 12 DEC 02]

Thrift Saving Plan Update: President Bush has signed into law legislation allowing TSP participants age 50 and older to make "catch-up" contributions on top of the regular TSP investments allowed., to the retirement savings program of an additional $2,000 in 2003. The allowable amount will rise by $1,000 a year until reaching $5,000 a year in 2006 and adjusted for inflation thereafter. Open season begins April 15, if not sooner, depending on what agency payroll systems can handle. Contributions will have to be made through payroll withholding.
     The Thrift Savings Plan catch-up program will likely be of interest to employees in the Civil Service Retirement System [CSRS]. The majority of older federal employees are under the CSRS system and they are subject to a lower percentage of salary investment limits. Many older workers have spent much. if not most. of their working years without being eligible for the TSP or a similar plan. They have relatively little time left to build up retirement accounts, so catch-up contributions can help them a great deal. The current TSP open season is winding down, and will end on December 31. Investors under FERS program can invest up to 13 percent of their biweekly salary. Those under the CSRS system can invest up to 8 percent subject to the tax code dollar cap. [Source: EANGUS Weekly Update 13 DEC 02]

Concurrent Receipt Update 9: In a meeting with representatives from FRA and other military and veterans organizations, key staffers confirmed that longtime concurrent receipt champion Rep. Michael Bilirakis (Fla.) will immediately reintroduce concurrent receipt legislation in the 108th Congress when it convenes on 7 January 2003. The bill number will probably again be H.R. 303. When the 107th Congress adjourned, every unpassed bill introduced during its tenure died. The 108th Congress then begins with a clean slate. FRA and other organizations will then work to ensure that legislation addressing issues like concurrent receipt, reform of the Survivor Benefits Plan (SBP), and the Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act (USFSPA) are reintroduced.

NMOP Update 1: Express Scripts, Inc. has been contracted by DoD to replace Medco Health Managed Care in servicing the Tricare National Mail Order Pharmacy Program (NMOP). The shift from one contractor to another will occur on 1 MAR 03. Detailed info and directions will be provided in adequate time for all to adjust to the new contractor. In early January, current users should receive a post card announcing the new services. Additional details will be sent by Express Scripts in February as to the transfer of prescriptions in progress, etc. A mailing that will include a registration form, a description of benefits and a brochure covering the TRICARE program will follow that.
     Beneficiaries who have refills remaining on prescriptions on March 1 will be transferred to Express Scripts so they can continue ordering medications on time, with a few exceptions. Narcotics or other controlled substance prescriptions and compounded prescriptions -- those that are physically prepared by the pharmacy cannot be transferred. Medications that requires refrigeration are shipped through priority mail or a courier service, such as FedEx but cannot be sent to APO and FPO addresses overseas. TRICARE beneficiaries living and working overseas can use the mail order pharmacy if they have an APO, FPO or a U.S. Embassy address. However, a provider licensed to practice in the United States must write the prescription.
     Those eligible to use the current mail order program or the retail benefit are eligible to use the new TRICARE mail order program. New customers have to register for the program. Information will be provided through the TRICARE service centers, military treatment facilities pharmacy as well as their marketing points of contact. The usual delivery time for medication is five to seven days. The easiest way for patients to ensure they do not run out of their medication is to have the provider write for up to a 90-day supply with up to three refills. The beneficiary can request a refill once 75 percent of the medication has been used which is about day 70. All medication is screened for potential drug interactions or therapeutic overlaps that could produce an adverse drug reaction. Patients' complete beneficiary profiles are entered into the Pharmacy Data Transition Service, which enhances patient safety by keeping their medication records current, on file and readily available. Patients can fill prescriptions three ways: by direct care at military treatment facilities, or the retail pharmacy network or the mail order program. The direct care system serves the bulk of the beneficiary population. About 2.5 million beneficiaries use the retail pharmacy network because they don't have access to a military facility. Most of the 400,000 beneficiaries who use the mail order program do so for chronic medication or maintenance medication needs.
     The new contract saves taxpayers' dollars because it calls for purchasing drug products at federal prices. Best federal prices are at least 24 percent below average commercial wholesale prices. The TRICARE Management Activity will manage the new contract. The current, national contract has been managed by the Defense Logistics Agency's Defense Supply Center in Philadelphia. For more information, including a complete section on the co-pay structure, visit the TRICARE Web site at http://www.tricare.osd.mil  Reservists can check the site for details of their benefits under the program. Beneficiaries can also use the Express Scripts Inc. Web site by clicking on the DoD seal at http://www.express-scripts.com after the site debuts on Jan. 15, 2003. [Source: American Forces Press Service msg. 12 DEC 02]

Claritin Antihistamine Obtainment: Claritin, a popular non-sedating antihistamine, was recently switched from being a prescription medication to one that is available "over the counter" (OTC). OTC medications are, by definition, those drugs that can be obtained without a prescription. Some popular OTC drugs that you may be familiar with are Tylenol, Benadryl, Sudafed, and Advil. Claritin OTC became available in many pharmacies the week of December 9, 2002. This includes all forms of Claritin that were previously available only by prescription [i.e.Claritin tablets, Reditabs, Syrup, Claritin-D, & Claritin-D 24-hour tablets].
     If you are a Claritin user this will affect your out of pocket cost of this drug. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not allow pharmaceutical companies to sell the same drug at the same strength as both a prescription drug and an OTC drug. So once Claritin OTC became available, the manufacturer could no longer sell prescription Claritin. And, while the military pharmacy benefit is one of the best health care values around, it does not pay for medications that are available over the counter except in very rare circumstances (like insulin). The bottom line is, patients who previously filled prescriptions for Claritin at a retail pharmacy and paid a $9.00 copay for a 30- day supply, or in the NMOP for a 90-day supply, will no longer be able to do so. If you have been obtaining your Claritin prescriptions from the national mail order pharmacy (NMOP), you will no longer be able to receive Claritin from them. Prescriptions sent to the NMOP for Claritin, including refills of current prescriptions, will be returned. The NMOP has no mechanism to dispense OTC medications that are not included in the TRICARE benefit. If you have been obtaining your Claritin from a retail network pharmacy, you will very likely be able to continue to obtain your Claritin there. However, it will probably be located on the shelf with all the other allergy medications that are available OTC, like benadryl. You also will be required to pay the full price for the medication, as TRICARE will no longer "cost share" for the medication, just as they do not cost share for other OTC drugs like Tylenol, Benadryl, Sudafed, and Advil. This also includes any refills that may have been left on your prescription.
     You have the option to go back to your provider and request that he change your prescription to one that is still available by prescription. Allegra is an example of another nonsedating antihistamine that is still available by prescription only. It works very well, and is on the DoD Basic Core Formulary so it is available at all MTF pharmacies. It is also available at the NMOP. The DoD has a contract with the manufacturer for this product, which allows them to provide you this medication at a very favorable price. In any case, the decision about how to handle this change in the status of Claritin is one you should make in consultation with your health care provider. Available at http://www.pec.ha.osd.mil/WhatsNews/Claritin%20Beneficiary%20Letter.pdf  is a Claritin Beneficiary Letter that you can download and print so you can have this information available to you at all times. You can also take it with you to your provider so he or she can understand the situation and more effectively serve you. [Source: Milton Bell Health+TFL Msg dtd 14 DEC 02]

Presidential Memorial Certificate: A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President, to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased veterans who have not been convicted of a capital crime. This program was initiated in March 1962 by President John F. Kennedy and has been continued by all subsequent Presidents. Statutory authority for the program is Section 112, Title 38, of the United States Code. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers the PMC program by preparing the certificates which bear the President's signature expressing the country's grateful recognition of the veteran's service in the United States Armed Forces. Eligible recipients include the deceased veteran's next of kin and loved ones. More than one certificate may be provided. Eligible recipients, or someone acting on their behalf, may apply for a PMC in person at any VA regional office or by U.S. mail only. Requests cannot be sent via email. All requests must be in writing. There is no form to use when requesting a PMC however, a copy of the veteran's discharge and death certificate must be included with the request. These documents will not be returned. You can Fax your request and supporting documents to (202) 565-8054 or mail it to: Presidential Memorial Certificates (402E12), National Cemetery Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420-0001. If you have any questions about a certificate you have received, a request you have already sent in, or about the program in general, you may call (202) 565-4964 or email PMC@mail.va.gov  [Source: http://www.cem.va.gov/pmc.htm 11 DEC 02]

VA Compensation Rate Tables 2003:
Basic Disability Rates - 10%-100% Combined Degree Only (Veteran Only Rates)
Monthly Rating & Percentage Benefit 10% $104 ~ 20% $201 ~ 30% $310 ~ 40% $445 ~ 50% $633 ~ 60% $801 ~ 70% $1,008
~  80% $1,171  - 90% $1,317 ~ 100% $2,128 <<< Note: $2,128 corrected to $2,193 in the RAO Bulletin 30 Dec 02 above.
     Additional amounts payable for spouses, children and parents to veterans with ratings of more than 30% Dependency And Indemnity Compensation [DIC] For Surviving Spouses.

Veteran's Death Was On or After 1 January 1993: Basic Monthly Rate = $948
Additional Allowances:
*   Add $204 if at the time of the veteran's death, the veteran was in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling (including a rating based on individual unemployability) for a continuous period of at least 8 years immediately preceding death AND the surviving spouse was married to the veteran for those same 8 years (Combined amount $1,152)
*   Add $237 per child allowance for each dependent child under age 18
*   Add $113 if the surviving spouse is entitled to Housebound

Veteran's Death Was Before 1 January 1993
E-1 through E-6 $948 ~ E-7 $980 ~ E-8 $ 1,035 ~ E-9 $1,080
W-1 $1,001 ~ W-2 $1,042 ~ W-3 $ 1,072 ~ W-4 $1,134
O-1 $1,001 ~ O-2 $1,035 ~ O-3 $1,107 ~ O-4 $1,171 ~ O-5 $1,289 ~ O-6 $1,453 ~ O-7 $1,570 ~ O-8 ~ $1,722 O-9 ~ $1,843
~ O-10 $2,021
Additional Allowances:
*   Add $204 if at the time of the veteran's death, the veteran was in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling (including a rating based on individual unemployability) for a continuous period of at least 8 years immediately preceding death AND the surviving spouse was married to the veteran for those same 8 years
*   Add $237 per child allowance for each dependent child under age 18.
*   Add $113 if the surviving spouse is entitled to Housebound.

To inquire concerning the status of compensation, DIC, pension, burial, accrued, clothing allowance, automobile, specially adapted housing, or Spina Bifida claim or to ask any general Compensation & Pension (C&P) benefit question, call the VA toll-free number 1-800-827-1000
[Source: NAUS Update for 27 November 2002]

CHAMPVA: Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs [CHAMPVA] is the VA version of Tricare Standard. The VA shares with eligible beneficiaries the cost of covered health care services and supplies. Due to the similarity between CHAMPVA [administered by the VA] and CHAMPUS [administered by DoD] the two programs are easily and often mistaken for each other. Only the CHAMPVA Center, PO BOX 65023, Denver CO 80206-5023 is authorized to process applications, determine eligibility, authorize benefits, and process claims. Veterans can speak to a benefits counselor from 09-1330 and from 1430-1700 EST at [800] 733-8387

The VA Outpatient Clinic, Manila is now authorized to provide medical care to CHAMPVA eligible beneficiaries on an outpatient basis. However, this care must be administered at the clinic and will not be provided through the Fee-Basis Care Program. The benefit of obtaining are from the clinic is that the cost to the patient will be limited to travel only. The VA will absorb the cost of pharmaceuticals and medical care If you have any questions contact the VA Clinic Coordinator at (02) 833-4566 to 69 EXT 201.

Eligibility - Those eligible for CHAMPVA benefits, providing they are not eligible for CHAMPUS or Medicare Part A as a result of reaching the age of 65 are:

*   the spouse or child of a veteran who has been rated by a VA regional office as having permanent and total service-connected disability.

*   The surviving spouse or child of a veteran who died as a result of a VA rated service-connected condition(s); or who at the time of death, was rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected condition(s),

*   The surviving spouse or child of a person who died in the line of duty and not due to misconduct within 30 days of entry into active military service.

*   Surviving spouses who remarry after age 55. There is a 1-year open season from date of enactment of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2002 for otherwise eligible spouses to apply for benefits. Effective date is 60 days after enactment of Act.

Note: Survivors of USAFFEE, Guerillas and New Scouts are not eligible for CHAMPVA. Survivors of Filipinos with US service are eligible for CHAMPVA under the exact same criteria that applies to survivors of any other veteran!

Individuals 65 or older, who lose CHAMPVA eligibility by becoming potentially eligible for Medicare Part A or who qualify for Medicare Part A benefits on the basis of disability, may re-establish CHAMPVA eligibility by submitting documentation from SSA certifying their non-entitlement to or exhaustion of Medicare Part A benefits.

Application - Applicants for CHAMPVA must submit a completed "Application for Medical Benefits for Dependents or survivors - CHAMPVA [VA Form 10-10d.]. Upon receipt by the Center it will take approximately 60 days to gather the supporting records necessary to verify eligibility and make notification to the applicant. The Center will also verify the applicant's eligibility status with the local VA Regional Office that has the sponsor's VA claims folder. To ensure there is no CHAMPUS entitlement, these records will also be verified through DEERS.
[Source: CHAMPVA Handbook Jun 95 & Veterans Benefit Act of 2002]

VA Insurance Dividend 2003: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced its distribution of more than $568 million in dividends to 1.5 million active policyholders of veterans life insurance. Over the next year, veterans will receive the payments on the anniversary date of their policies, with the specific dividend amount varying according to age, type of insurance and length of time the policy has been in force. Recipients will automatically receive their annual dividend through one of the nine payment options they have selected in advance.

For current active-duty servicemembers and reservists covered by Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, no dividend is paid. Dividends cover only veterans with government life insurance policies who served between 1917 and 1956. Veterans of subsequent eras are covered by government insurance programs that do not pay dividends. Only those with policies that have been kept in force when premiums were required are eligible for the payout.

Inaccurate stories periodically surface suggesting that those who have not maintained insurance are eligible for a special distribution if they contact VA, but this is false. Dividends are automatically sent to eligible policyholders. The largest group receiving 2003 payments will be 1.3 million veterans of World War II with National Service Life Insurance ("V") policies. Total payments are expected to reach $461.5 million. Dividends totaling $2.2 million will be paid to the 12,499 veterans holding U.S. Government Life Insurance ("K") policies. Some 206,367 veterans who have maintained Veterans Special Life Insurance ("RS" and "W") policies can expect to receive dividends totaling $88 million.

Veterans who hold Veterans Reopened Insurance ("J", "JR" and "JS") policies, currently numbering 57,048, will share a $17.2 million dividend. Although VA also administers a special life insurance program for disabled veterans and a program offering mortgage life insurance coverage, neither pays dividends. Veterans who have questions about their policy may call the VA Insurance number: 1-800-669-8477, or can send their e-mail to: VAinsurance@vba.va.gov  [Source: VA News Release dtd 10 DEC 02]

VA Disability Claim - Reasons to File: It is most important that a veteran file a disability claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs to service connect those disabilities, diseases, or injuries or residuals thereof, which were incurred in or aggravated by military service. Compensation is payable to any veteran with a service connected disability rated (10) percent or more, provided that his/her service was under conditions other than dishonorable. Although there is no time limit for filing a VA claim, it should be done at the time of separation or as soon thereafter as possible. Following are some of the reasons a veteran should file a VA compensation claim:

1. Compensation is payable to a veteran for service-connected disabilities rated from 10% to 100%, with additional amounts for statutory awards or certain multiple disabilities plus additional amounts for dependents when a veteran is rated 30% or more.

2. VA compensation is not subject to Federal or State taxes.

3. Many states have special programs and benefits for veterans with service-connected disabilities.

4. Filing a disability claim establishes a VA file, which will help expedite other claims and applications, which may be filed at a later date.

5. VA will consider a rating for all disabilities diagnosed and treated during military service, when such disabilities are included within the claim.

6. If a service-connected disability worsens, VA will reconsider the rating upon receipt of medical evidence showing an increase in severity.

7. Certain chronic and tropical diseases have presumptive periods ranging from 1 to 40 years. Service- connection may be granted if diagnosed within the proper period and rated to a compensable degree of at least 10%.

8. If service-connected disabilities rated at 60% or above and unemployable, the veteran may be rated 100% by VA.

9. If a veteran is hospitalized for 21 days or more or undergoes major surgery for service-connected disabilities, he/she is entitled to a temporary 100% rating during the period of hospitalization and/or convalescence.

10. Certain severely disability conditions, e.g., blindness, paraplegia, loss of limbs, carry special VA ratings and payments.

11. VA pays an annual clothing allowance to veterans whose prosthetic devices or service-connected disabilities tend to wear or tear their clothing.

12. A service-connected disability rating provides preference points for State and Federal employment under certain conditions.

13. Retirees with service-connected disabilities may waive the monetary amount of VA compensation from military retired pay for federal income tax purposes.

14. Educational benefits are available to the spouse and other dependents (to include dependent parents) of a veteran who dies as the result of a service-connected disability, regardless of the rating percentage.

15. DIC and Educational benefits are payable to eligible survivors of veterans rated totally disabled by VA from service-connected disabilities continuously for ten years preceding death, or rated totally disabled on
retirement and for the following five years, regardless of the cause of the veteran's death.

16. A veteran with a service-connected disability is eligible for a maximum of $10,000 of National Service Life Insurance (RH). A totally disabled veteran is eligible for a maximum of $20,000 of National Service Life Insurance (RH).

17. Premiums for NSLI may be waived by VA Insurance Center if the veteran is considered totally disabled and
this condition has existed six months or more prior to the 65th birthday.

18. Veterans rated 10% or more service-connected and in need of training may apply for Vocational Rehabilitation Training (Chapter 31).

19. Outpatient dental care is authorized for veterans rated 100% service-connected, including those rated 100% due to unemployability.

20. Veterans (not retired military which are eligible for full ID card benefits) rated 100% service-connected and their dependents are eligible for military ID cards (commissary and exchange privileges). Dependents may also be eligible for CHAMPVA benefits.

21. Payment of burial benefits up to $2,000 if a veteran dies from service-connected disability; or up to $600 if the veteran was in receipt of VA compensation at the time of death and death is rated as non-service connected.

22. Filing a claim and establishing service-connected disabilities provide advantages in obtaining medical care at VA expense. These advantages include:

a. Instant proof of eligibility for medical care, thereby expediting the receipt of treatment.

b. Establishes eligibility for treatment of nonservice-connected disabilities on a space-available basis at VA hospitals and clinics.

c. If rated 50% or more for service-connected disabilities, may be treated for all nonservice-connected disabilities.

d. Retirees may use both VA and military medical facilities for care.

e. The VA may pay for emergency hospitalization in private facilities for service-connected disabilities if VA facilities are not available. The VA medical facility of jurisdiction should be notified within 72 hours of admission to the private facility.

f. The VA may pay for outpatient medical treatment from private doctors for any service-connected disability, and for all disabilities if the veteran is rated 50% or more for service-connected disabilities, if the veteran resides outside a certain miles radius, which is determined by the nearest VA medical facility.

g. The VA furnishes free of charge medicines required for treatment of service-connected disabilities, and for all disabilities if the veteran is rated 50% or more for service-connected disabilities.

h. Prosthetic appliances and services are available at VA expense for eligible veterans.

i. Medical care is provided for any condition while a Veteran is enrolled in Vocational Rehabilitation Training (Chapter 31).

[Source: Military Service Coalition Newsletter NOV 02]

Embassy Closures in RP [Temporary]:
The Canadian Embassy in Manila has been closed to the public on a temporary basis since 28 NOV 02 but continues to provide most services. The reason was, ". to protect Canadian and Filipino staff from a serious, specific and credible threat". During the closure the Visa section will be unable to process visitor and immigrant visa applications. Applicants in this geographic region should submit their requests to the visa offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Australia. The Australian Embassy in Manila has been closed since 28 NOV 02 for security reasons. Immigrant visa acceptance has been temporarily suspended. For tourist visas a courier service has been arranged to pick and deliver applications during the closure. Applicants in the Philippines should call 1-909-362-2779 for additional information.
[Source: What’s On Expat 8-14 DEC 02]

Concurrent Receipt Update 8: President Bush signed the $391 billion FY 2003 National Defense Authorization Act into law December 2nd, which included a new compensation benefit for certain 20-year retirees with combat-related disabilities. DoD is responsible for determining details on eligibility and the new benefit will become effective in six months. Disabled military retirees wounded in combat and awarded the Purple Heart will receive the new special pay if disabilities from the wounds are rated 10 percent or higher. Amounts will match retired pay being forfeited under the concurrent receipt law for disability compensation tied to their war wounds. In other words, if you are 60 percent disabled, but only 10 percent of your disability can be attributed to a combat injury for which you received a Purple Heart, you will receive compensation for that 10 percent disability. Retirees will also be eligible if they have other "combat- related disability" ratings of 60 percent or higher. Qualifying disabilities might result from four sources:

*  Direct combat including a war, expedition, occupation of an area or territory, battle, skirmish, raid, invasion, rebellion, insurrection, guerrilla action, riot or any other action in which service members are engaged with a hostile or belligerent nation, faction, force, or terrorist group.

*  Hazardous duties including, but not limited to, aerial flight duty, parachute duty, demolition duty, experimental stress duty, and diving duty.

*  Combat-related training such as airborne operations, war games, hand-to-hand combat training or injuries on obstacle courses. Disabilities from normal training like jogging, calisthenics or supervised sports would not qualify.

*  "An instrumentality of war" such as accidental gunfire, exposure to the defoliant Agent Orange, accidents in military vehicles, Gulf War Syndrome or accidental falls aboard ship if the operation of the ship, not the service member, was responsible for the fall. DoD provides the example that an injury resulting from a fall on the deck of a ship while participating in sports would not normally be covered, since the sport activity, not the ship, caused the fall.
[Source: FRA News Bytes 5 DEC 02]

Veterans Benefit Bill S.2237: The Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 2002, originally sponsored by Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV), began its journey as a bill to award disability compensation to veterans who suffer hearing loss associated with service in specific military specialties. Along the way a number of other veterans benefit bills were incorporated into S.2237, which Congress finally approved and sent to the President who has signed it. S.2237 will:

*  Continue VA health insurance coverage for eligible surviving spouses who remarry after attaining age 55.

*  Establish a presumption of service-connection for hearing loss associated with certain military skills (to be determined by the VA in consultation with the National Academy of Sciences) and authorize compensation for servicemembers who have a rated hearing loss in both ears.

*  Clarify the entitlement to special monthly compensation for female veterans who have service-connected mastectomies.

*  Increase the Medal of Honor stipend from $600 to $1000 per month, authorize an annual adjustment to the stipend, and authorize a lump-sum payment of the stipend retroactive to the date of the act of valor.

*  Authorize economic protections for National Guard servicemembers under the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act when called by a governor to state active duty (Title 32) in support of a federal national emergency.

*  Permit the construction of a privately funded memorial to the veterans of the Battle of the Bulge at Arlington National Cemetery.

*  Allow the VA to offer adjustable rate home loans to veterans.

[Source: TROA Leg Update 11 NOV 02]

Health Stats for 2000: A new report issued by the National Center for Health Statistics indicates that American adults are living longer, fewer babies are dying in infancy, and the gap between white and black life expectancy has narrowed during the past decade. The key findings include:

*  In 2000, average life expectancy at birth hit record highs, with men at 74.1 years and women at 79.5 years. A century earlier, life expectancy was 48 years for men and 51 years for women. Those who reach age 65 now live to an average age of 81 for men and 84 for women

*  During the past half century, death rates among children and adults up to age 24 were cut in half. Mortality among adults 25-64 years fell nearly as much, and dropped among those 65 years and over by a third.

*  The infant mortality rate -- deaths before the first birthday -- has dropped 75 % since 1950, dropping to a record low of 6.9 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000, down from 7.1 in 1999.

*  More than 40% of adults were smokers in 1965, compared with 23% in 2000. Those without a high school education were still almost three times as likely to smoke cigarettes as college graduates.

*  Deaths among children and young adults from unintentional injuries, cancer, and heart disease are down sharply. Among working-age adults, fewer are dying from unintentional injuries, heart disease, and stroke. For older Americans, the increase in life expectancy is largely due to the sharp drop in deaths from heart disease and stroke.

*  Three in five adults ages 20-74 are overweight. One in four Americans is considered obese. Almost 40% engaged in no physical activity during leisure time, and women were more sedentary than men. One in 10 Americans age 45-54, 1 in 5 of those 55-64 years, 1 in 4 of those 65-74 years, and 1 in 3 of those 75 years and over reported being in fair or poor health.

*  Americans spent $1.3 trillion on health care in 2000, or 13.2% of the gross domestic product, far more than any other nation. A third of the health care dollar was spent on hospital care, about one-fifth on physicians, and almost one-tenth on prescription drugs. The cost of prescription drugs increased 15% a year from 1995-2000 -- faster than any other category of spending.

*  Hospital stays keep getting shorter: just 4.9 days on average in 2000. Twenty years ago patients spent more than 7 days in the hospital. Sixty-three percent of all surgeries now are performed as outpatient procedures, with patients being sent home after a short stay in a recovery room. A decade earlier, one-half of all surgeries were on outpatients. In 1980 only 16% were done on outpatients.

*  Federal and State government programs - principally Medicare and Medicaid - paid 43% of all medical bills. Private insurance covered 35%, and other private sources paid 5%. Consumers paid 17% out of their own pockets.

The 430-page report, Health, United States, 2002 can be viewed online.  http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus.htm
[Source: Consumer Health Digest #02-42, October 15, 2002]

VA Franchise Program [VetFran]: Owning a franchise operation is now more affordable for veterans, thanks to a program recently announced by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. The Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, commonly known as "VetFran," allows veterans to acquire a franchise with a down payment of 10 percent or less of the initial franchise cost, which generally ranges from $45,000 to $150,000 for a small business. Franchising companies absorb the difference.
     International Franchise Association (IFA), the program's sponsor, first introduced VetFran in the early 1990's as a way for franchisers to express gratitude to military members for their service during the Gulf War. In the last several years, the program had all but been forgotten. The current war against terrorism has rekindled interest in extending franchise opportunities to military veterans. A Hawaii veteran recently became the first to acquire a franchise under the revitalized VetFran program, obtaining a franchise for Expected Technology Services, a technology supplier headquartered in Garden Grove, Calif. He paid $40,000 instead of the $60,000 he would have paid without VetFran.
     Currently, VetFran is limited to franchises with initial investments up to $150,000, the maximum loan amount on which the SBA offers 85 percent loan guarantees. So far, nearly 75 franchisers are participating. VetFran may expand later to include franchises costing over $150,000, for which the SBA offers 75 percent loan guarantees. Additional information is available on VA's Web page at http://www.vetbiz.gov/
[Source: VA News Releases dtd 20 NOV 2002]

Class Act Lawsuit [Day] Update 5: By a vote of 9 to 4, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled against the Class Act Group's health care lawsuit. A complete copy of the ruling is available from the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit at
http://www.fedcir.gov/opinions/99-1402.doc  Led by retired Col. "Bud" Day (USAF), Medal of Honor recipient and its Attorney, the Class Act Group contends that members who entered service before 7 June 1956 were wrongly denied free lifetime health care promised to them in numerous recruiting and retention briefings, brochures and other documents. The court conceded that the government had "orally promised recruits that if they served on active duty for at least 20 years, they would receive free lifetime medical care for themselves and their dependents. The government conceded such promises were made in good faith and relied upon." However, "Because [federal law] at most authorizes space-available treatment, and not free health insurance for life, the court held that the [Service Secretaries] lacked the authority . . . to promise free and full medical care." The court also advised the plaintiffs that a resolution to their complaint "must come from Congress, as this is not within [a court's] jurisdiction." According to its web site, the Class Act Group will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. For more information on the Class Act Group, visit their web site at  http://www.classact-lawsuit.com  [Source: FRA NewsBytes 21 NOV 02]

How to File Tricare Hospital Claims: When your in the hospital you get two kinds of bills. One is the bill for things the hospital provides. These include room and board, special diets, nursing services, gases, fluids, use of operating room, laboratory, X-ray services and the like. You also get bills from the individual professional providers such as your attending doctor, the radiologist who reads the X-rays, the pathologist who examined the laboratory specimens the hospital collected, and the surgeon. It's easy to confuse all this and refer to it all as your hospital bill. But they are two distinct types of billings. For Tricare, they must be filed separately and are paid differently.
     You need to tell the hospital upon admission that you have Tricare as your secondary payer assuming you have other health insurance [OHI] or are enrolled in TFL. When the hospital files a claim for its services, it will file first with your commercial insurer [OHI] and/or Medicare. After that insurer pays its share, the hospital will file a claim with Tricare for the balance. Either you or the doctor must file a claim for each doctor's services. File first with your commercial plan [OTH] if it pays on doctor's bills. After that claim is processed and you receive an Explanation of Benefits [EOB] (payment statement) you may file exactly the same bills for that medical care provider with Tricare.
     You must complete a Tricare claim Form 2642, which can be downloaded from the Tricare web site http://www.tricare.osd.mil/claims/default.htm  Attach copies of exactly the same bills that were sent to your OHI and a copy of their EOB showing its processing of those bills. You must file a separate claim for each doctor with your OHI and a separate claim for each doctor with Tricare. If a doctor sends you more than one bill, you may file several bills for that doctor on one claim form. If you have no OHI or it does not pay for doctor's bills you may file your doctor's bills directly with Tricare. Be sure to indicate on the claim form under the OHI section in red marker that your OHI does not pay for doctor's bills if applicable. If still denied and you must refile, try attaching to each claim form a copy of the cover page and the page from the OHI benefit booklet showing it does not cover doctor's bills.
     File first with Tricare if you have a Tricare supplemental policy. Upon receipt of your EOB from Tricare submit it along with copies of all Tricare covered bills to your Tricare supplemental carrier. [Source: Navy Times James Hamby article 25 NOV 02]

Disability Retirement [DoD]: Two types of disability retirement are offered by the Defense Department. Neither should be confused with the VA disability program.

Permanent Disability: Service personnel rated at least 30% permanently disabled, according to guideline, are entitled to disability retirement pay from the Defense Department along with the benefits normally associated with regular retirement at 20 years are more [i.e. exchange/commissary privileges, Tricare, MWR use, etc.]. To qualify they must have spent at least eight years in the military or the disability must have been incurred in the line of duty. If either of these qualifications is met the retiree can receive retired pay based on the larger of two formulas:

a.  Multiply the amount of the retired pay base by 2.5% for each year of service.
b.  Multiply the base pay by the percentage of disability.

Temporary Disability: Applicable to service personnel who have medical problems that prevent them from carrying out their military duties but which may not be permanent. They are placed on the temporary disability retirement list maintained by each service and DoD paymasters and are eligible for the same benefits as permanently disabled retired personnel. However, the amount of their monthly pay is determined by rules different than for permanent disability. The minimum payment is 50% of the last amount of basic pay and the maximum is 75%. Personnel receiving temporary disability retirement pay must undergo medical exams every 18 months to determine the status of their disability. Within five years doctors must determine whether the disability is permanent. Depending on the circumstances they may be returned to active duty or permanently separated with disability severance pay, unless the disability is 30% or greater. Those with limited disabilities may be retained by their service, depending upon individual circumstances. [Source: Military Times Handbook for Military Life]

VA Home Loans: Service members, veterans, and surviving spouses that have not remarried who decide to buy a house are eligible for a home loan guarantee offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. A surviving spouse who remarries will regain eligibility for the program if the subsequent marriage ends. This program does not apply to property located outside the United States. The VA does not make the loans. Rather, it guarantees the loans, which minimizes lender's risks and reduces their losses in the event of foreclosure. The money comes from private lenders who volunteer to participate in the VA program. Because of the guaranty, lenders are willing to offer mortgage loans larger than for what service members might otherwise qualify. A VA loan can be used to buy a house, townhouse or condominium, or one under construction; a mobile home, with some restrictions; or a mobile home lot and a farm but not farm-related items such as long as the loan has been paid in full. Eligibility can be restored if the person buying the home is an eligible veterans who assumes the loan and substitutes his entitlement for that of the original veteran.

Funding fees - Recipients of VA home loans pay a funding fee similar to user fees or origination fees paid by civilian borrowers. Funding fees offset losses that occur when borrowers default on loans. VA borrowers are not required to pay an up-front funding fee in order to secure a loan, but can include the fee as part of the loan amount. The funding fee for loans with a down payment of less than 5% is 2% or 2.75% for those qualifying based on service in the reserve or National Guard. It is lower for veterans making down payments of 5% percent or more. The VA also charges a funding fee to second-time users of the loan program. The so-called multiple-use fee is 3% percent of the loan amount unless the veteran makes at least a 5% percent down payment. In that case, the fee drops. Veterans who have a service-connected disability for which they receive compensation are exempt from any funding fee. Under the laws of some states, disabled veterans also may qualify for a waiver of property taxes. There is an additional option for those who already hold VA-approved home loans the Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan. The funding fee is 0.5 percent.

Maximum loan - VA does not establish a maximum loan amount. However, lenders generally will lend to qualified veterans up to four times the basic maximum entitlement. This means a typical ceiling for a loan with no down payment is $144,000 (4 x $36,000). In certain cases for loans above $144,000, the maximum entitlement can be increased to $60,000. That would enable a person to borrow four times that amount, or
$240,000, without a down payment.

Refinancing - A VA loan can be used to refinance an existing mortgage or to improve, repair or alter a dwelling owned and occupied by a veteran. On loans to refinance an existing VA loan to lower the interest rate, closing costs including up to two discount points can be included in the loan.
[Source Military times Handbook for Military Life May 2002]

Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001 - VA's direct loan program for Native Americans assists those vets buying on trust land. VA issues the loan, not a private lender, so the program's different from regular guaranteed home loans. It's strictly for veterans living on reservations because it's difficult to get lenders to make loans in those areas. The 2001 Act extended the nine-year-old program for four years to Dec. 31, 2005. The program's loan ceiling is $80,000, except in certain high-cost areas where VA has approved up to $120,000. Loan interest rates are competitive with the mortgage market. So far, VA has only made about 30 loans on trust lands in the continental United States. The act also increases specialty-housing grants from $43,000 to $48,000 for severely disabled veterans who need homes built to accommodate wheelchairs. The grant pays for such things as wider hallways, lowered kitchen appliances and counter tops, and bigger bathrooms. Veterans can use both a grant and a regular VA guaranteed loan to cover the total cost of their home purchase. Another grant program for housing adaptations for less seriously disabled vets had its ceiling raised to $9,250 -- up from $8,250. The money is for some blinded veterans and amputees who need extra help.

The law also extended housing loans for National Guard and Reserve personnel with at least six years of service from September 2007 to Sept. 30, 2009. Reserve component personnel are authorized the same home loan guarantees as active duty personnel.
[Source American Forces Press Service 10 JAN 02]

Citizenship for U.S. Military Aliens: Active-duty registered immigrant aliens can now apply for U.S. citizenship immediately, thanks to an executive order announced July 4 by president Bush. The order grants immediate citizenship consideration to noncitizen members of the U.S. military serving on active duty since Sept. 11. Previously, noncitizen service members in peacetime could apply to become citizens after three years of service, instead of the usual five years for civilians. [Source: Armed Forces News Issue: Fri, July 19, 2002]

NDAA 2002 Provisions: It is expected that the President will sign into law the FY 2003 Defense Authorization Act which includes a first-ever compromise provision that substantially eliminates the disability offset of retired pay for certain retirees who have at least 20 years of active service and have been awarded qualifying VA disability ratings for combat - or certain other operations-related disabilities. The defense bill also authorizes many other important initiatives, including:

*  A January pay raise of at least 4.1% for active, Guard and Reserve forces, with some receiving up to 6.5%, depending on grade and years of service.

*  A new assignment incentive pay up to $1,500 for members serving in designated assignments.

*  A new military leave authority that allows service members to transfer leave to another member, and authority for service secretaries to grant one-time emergency leave to prevent excess leave status.

*  Extension of authorities for certain bonuses and special pays for Reserve and active forces.

*  Extension of time (to 14 years, vs. current 10 years) for use of Montgomery GI Bill education benefits for the Selected Reserve.

*  Reinstatement of discretionary authority for DoD to allow officers to retire with 2 years time in grade (vs. 3 years) for retirements between
Oct. 1, 2002 and Dec. 31, 2003.

*  Establishment of a Korea Defense Service Medal for military personnel who served in the Korean theater after July 27, 1954 and a date to be set in the future.

*  Authorization for the Secretary of Defense to pay a flat-rate daily stipend (in lieu of payments for transportation and miscellaneous expenses) for military retirees and certain others participating in funeral honors details.

*  Authorization of use of commissaries by National Guard members who are called to duty in state status in support of federally declared
national emergencies.

*  A requirement for a review of quality-of-life issues for members of the Armed Forces every four years.

*  Reduction in the number of continuous years of Reserve component service required immediately before qualifying for a Reserve retirement from eight to six.

*  A program of education and other incentives to encourage national service, entailing at least 15 months on active duty after initial training, an additional period on active duty or in the Selected Reserve, with remaining obligated service in the Reserves, Peace Corps, Americorps, or some other national service program.

*  Elimination of prior authorization for TFL beneficiaries needing inpatient mental health services.

*  Allowing family members to retain the TRICARE Prime remote benefit when not authorized to accompany the member to the next permanent duty station - only if the family remains at the former duty site.

*  Authorization of TRICARE Prime remote benefits to reservists activated for more than 30 days who reside in TRICARE Prime remote locations.

*  Automatic designation of Medicare providers as TRICARE providers, effective under the new TRICARE contracts in 2004.

*  Prohibition of DoD from denying health care benefits to Prime enrollees who receive service connected care through the VA, if the VA cannot meet DoD's access standards.

*  Requirement for DoD to adopt Medicare claims processing procedures except for those unique to TRICARE requirements.

*  Further direction to facilitate VA/DoD sharing agreements and authorization for three pilot sites to test collaboration initiatives.
[Source: TROA Leg Update 15 NOV 02]

SSA Full Retirement Age Increase 2003: Starting in January, individuals born in 1938 and afterward will have to work additional months before reaching the full Social Security retirement age. Those people born in 1937 and prior years reached full retirement age upon attaining their 65th birthday. Social Security eligibles born in 1938 reach 65 in 2003, but must go an additional two months for full retirement. Those born in 1939 will have to wait until they are 65 four months, and the age will keep going up until it reaches 67 for full retirement for those born in 1960 and later. A full chart at http://www.ssa.gov/retirechartred.htm is available for viewing. The only exception to the rule is that those born on Jan. 1 go by the requirements of the previous year.

Even with the full retirement age increasing, eligible people can still retire as early as age 62, but with reduced payments. There is both a major disadvantage and a big advantage to taking the benefit before reaching full retirement age. The advantage is that you collect benefits for a longer period of time. The disadvantage is that the benefit is permanently reduced. Since it's different for each person, those thinking retirement should be sure to contact Social Security before a decision is made. Also, officials point out that many people equate full Social Security retirement age with Medicare and remind them that they are not the same. Although the Social Security full retirement age is going up, it does not hold true for the Medicare age. The Medicare age will remain 65, so those workers who elect to wait for the full 100 percent Social Security payment will still have to enroll in Medicare Part B during the open enrollment period around their 65th birthday. That period includes the three months prior to the birth month, the birth month and three months following the birth month. A method of payment must be arranged to pay the premiums before Social Security retirement benefits start and the premium can be automatically deducted. Failing to enroll during the seven-month period will require the retiree to wait until the following open enrollment period of Jan. 1 - March 31 of each year, with coverage starting July 1. Each year's delay adds 10 percent penalty to the premium cost. [Source: Charles Gray 4 MSS/DPF Seymour Johnson AFB Msg dtd 25 NOV 02]

Concurrent Receipt Update 7: By now most of you have heard that the House and Senate passed the NDAA (H.R. 4546) with a very limited Concurrent Receipt Provision. Following is the Uniformed Services Disabled Retirees [USDR] report of what happened. Disabled vets who want to continue the fight for CR should consider checking out the USDR web site http://www.usdr.org and/or joining this organization whose primary mission is the passage of this legislation.
     "House and Senate Armed Services Committee leaders, fearful of a veto that could kill the whole FY2003 Defense Authorization Act, convinced the Administration to accept a reduced package focused on retirees with disabilities due to combat, combat-oriented training or certain other hazard-related circumstances. Committee leaders believe they had little choice in taking what they saw as the only possible route to any progress on concurrent receipt THIS YEAR. In essence, the deal establishes a new form of "special compensation" for certain disabled retirees who have at least 20 years of active duty or a combination of active duty time and reserve points comprising the equivalent of 20 years of full-time active duty. Unfortunately, very few Reserve retirees qualify under this strict criterion.
     The amount of the special compensation will be the full amount of retired pay forfeited due to receipt of VA compensation for a qualifying disability. Unlike the special compensation already in law (which provides $50 to $300 per month for certain severely disabled retirees), the new version will not be capped at a specific dollar amount, and will rise each year as the offset rises. Unlike the current $50 to $300 special compensation, which requires that a qualifying disability must have occurred within 4 years after retirement, eligibility for the new version will not be restricted by any time limit. Qualifying members will be eligible to receive either the "new" or the "old" special compensation amount, whichever is higher. The effective date for the new program will be six months from the date the President signs the Defense Authorization Act into law, so the effective date should be sometime in May 2003. The six-month delay will allow the Pentagon time to determine which retirees and which disabilities qualify for the new payments and establish application procedures. The language passed by the House indicates qualifying retirees WILL HAVE TO APPLY for the new special compensation. There will be no phase-in or ramp-up period. Qualifying payments will be paid as of the effective date.
     There are two sets of qualifying disabilities, one more complicated than the other. On the simple side, any qualifying retiree with a disability rating of 10% or higher that is associated with award of a Purple Heart will be eligible for the new special compensation. Under this rule, the special compensation amount will be based on the disability rating awarded for the combat wound, rather than any higher rating the retiree may have been awarded for a different reason. The other, more complicated, eligibility rule covers retirees awarded disability ratings of 60% or higher for other illnesses/injuries attributable to combat situations, combat-oriented training, hazardous duty, or instrumentality's of war. The legislators based these categories on the Defense Department's current definition of "combat-related" disabilities, as described in DoD Instruction 1332.38. The following is a summary of the descriptions in that Instruction, which presumably will be used to guide DOD eligibility, decisions for the new program.

**   Direct result of armed conflict: including a war, expedition, occupation of an area or territory, battle, skirmish, raid, invasion, rebellion, insurrection, guerrilla action, riot, or any other action in which Service members are engaged with a hostile or belligerent nation, faction, force, or terrorists.

**   While engaged in hazardous service: including, but not limited to, aerial flight duty, parachute duty, demolition duty, experimental stress duty, and diving duty.

     The other, more complicated, eligibility rule covers retirees awarded Disability ratings of 60% or higher for other illnesses/injuries attributable to combat situations, combat-oriented training, hazardous duty, or instrumentality's of war. The legislators based these categories on the Defense Department's current definition of "combat-related" disabilities, as described in DoD Instruction 1332.38. The following is a summary of the descriptions in that Instruction, which presumably will be used to guide DOD eligibility, decisions for the new program.

**   Direct result of armed conflict: including a war, expedition, occupation of an area or territory, battle, skirmish, raid, invasion, rebellion, insurrection, guerrilla action, riot, or any other action in which Service members are engaged with a hostile or belligerent nation, faction, force, or terrorists.

**   While engaged in hazardous service: including, but not limited to, aerial flight duty, parachute duty, demolition duty, experimental stress duty, and diving duty.

**   While engaged in hazardous service: including, but not limited to, aerial flight duty, parachute duty, demolition duty, experimental stress duty, and diving duty.

**   Under conditions simulating war: resulting from military training, such as war games, practice alerts, tactical exercises, airborne operations, leadership reaction courses, grenade and live fire weapons practice, bayonet training, hand-to-hand combat training, rappelling, and negotiation of combat confidence and obstacle courses (does not include physical training activities, such as calisthenics and jogging or formation running and supervised sports).

**   Caused by instrumentality of war (incurrence during a period or war is not required): includes such causes as wounds caused by a military weapon, accidents involving a combat vehicle, injury or sickness caused by fumes, gases, or explosion of military ordinance, vehicles or material. (i.e. DOD example - an injury resulting from a fall on the deck of a ship while participating in sports would not normally be covered, since the sport activity, not the ship, caused the fall. But it would be covered if the operation of the ship caused the fall.)

     Clearly, these guidelines allow for some judgment, so it's uncertain how many people may qualify. Different Hill sources have offered estimates ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 eligible retirees, with cost estimates ranging from $4 billion to $9 billion over 10 years. The new Defense Authorization Act specifies that the Pentagon will be responsible for applying the above criteria to determine which VA disability awards qualify for the special compensation.
     In discussing the issue on the House floor, Reps. John Larson (D-CT) and Gene Taylor (D-MS) expressed their concerns about ensuring that conditions related to Agent Orange and the Gulf War Syndrome would be covered. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), who helped negotiate the provision, expressed his belief that they should be, and expressed his willingness to write a letter to that effect to the Secretary of Defense. USDR and other military organizations agree with the Armed Services Committees that the authority outlines above are preferable, by far, to the alternative of getting nothing. But it falls far short of what most believes is fair, and still leaves many, many thousands of disabled retirees having to pay for their own disability compensation. USDR and others intend to track implementation of the new plan closely to ensure the rules are interpreted reasonably, and will continue the fight to expand eligibility.
     USDR as well as other military coalition members are deeply disappointed that the new proposal falls far short of the much broader provisions we have been battling for - and they fully intend to continue that fight. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) gave a speech on the floor of the Senate, which condemned the limited provision. He has stated that he would re-introduce "Concurrent Receipt" at the beginning of the 108th Congress. His entire message to the Senate can be read under USDR Media at http://www.usdr.org  Vets should be appreciative of those legislators who have been prominent in attempting to obtain CR during this session of congress. They are Concurrent receipt champions Rep. Mike Bilirakis (R-FL) and Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Armed Services Committee leaders Carl Levin (D-MI) and John Warner (R-VA), House Armed Services Committee leaders Bob Stump (R-AZ), Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and Ike Skelton (D-MO), and Reps. Jim Nussle (R-IA) and Charles Bass (R-NH) of the House Budget Committee. USDR as well as some other organizations are dropping the term Concurrent Receipt [CR] and will continue to use Restoration of Retired Pay [RRP] for all Military Disabled Retirees beginning in the 108th Congress.
[Source: Noel K. Pritzl, 1st Vice President USDR Officer Angler88@aol.com Tel: 931-648-4292 Msg dtd 14 NOV 02]

Tricare Dental Program [Reserves]: The TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) offers a wide range of diagnostic, preventive and restorative dental services and is available to members and families of the Selected Reserve (SELRES) and Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). Enrollment in the TDP is voluntary, and reserve component sponsors do not have to be activated to enroll themselves or their families in the TDP. There are, however, important differences in coverage for family members when their reserve component sponsors are activated versus when they are in a reserve status. Reserve component sponsors who are activated are covered by the same dental benefits as active duty service members. Sponsors placed on active duty orders for 31 days or more are ineligible for enrollment in the TDP. If previously enrolled in the TDP, they will be automatically disenrolled and automatically re- enrolled upon deactivation. The sponsor should confirm re-enrollment before seeking dental treatment.
     For family members, the main difference in TDP is the premium cost. Reserve component family members who enroll in the TDP before their sponsor is called to active duty will enjoy a cost savings when their sponsor is activated. The current premium rate for reserve component family enrollment is $49.36 per month. When the sponsor is activated, fees decrease to $19.74 per month. Many families enroll after a sponsor is ordered to active duty. When these families enroll, they pay the active duty family premium rate of $19.74 per month. When the sponsor is released from active duty, enrollment fees increase to $49.36 per month. It is also important to remember that premium rates change in January of each year. The TDP requires a 12-month enrollment commitment; however, this commitment is waived for non-TDP-enrolled families whose sponsor is ordered to active duty in support of certain contingency operations, but only if the family is enrolled in the TDP within the first 30 days of activation. If a family enrolls after the initial 30 days of activation, they will be locked in to the TDP for 12 months. Reserve component family members must decide to enroll in the TDP within the first 30 days of their sponsor's activation to take advantage of waiving the 12- month enrollment commitment. This will provide reserve component families the freedom to choose to remain enrolled in the TDP or disenroll if their sponsor is released from active duty before the completion of the 12-month enrollment period.
     The TDP is administered by United Concordia Companies Inc. (UCCI). For more information about the TDP, beneficiaries may access the benefit handbook online at  http://www.ucci.com/was/ucciweb/home.jsp  or by calling toll free 1-800-866-8499, 24 hours a day. Members residing outside the continental United States (OCONUS) should call 1-888-418- 0466 (toll free). This telephone number is available in the following countries: Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Columbia, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. At all other locations, members should call 1-717-975-5017. Representatives are available to assist members in English, German and Italian 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday.
[Source: TRICARE news release at http://www.tricare.osd.mil ]

Tricare Inpatient Rates: Effective Oct. 1, 2002 fiscal year 2003 inpatient rates increase. The daily cost of inpatient care in civilian hospitals for family members of active duty service members under TRICARE Standard and Extra increased from $11.90 to $12.72 per day or $25, whichever is greater. For example, if a family member of an active duty service member is an inpatient for one day, he or she will pay $25. For inpatient stays that are two days or more, the cost will be $12.72 per day.
     The TRICARE Standard diagnosis-related group (DRG) daily rate for most civilian non-mental health hospital admissions increased to $417, up from $414 last year. The rate increase applies only to retirees, their families and survivors who use TRICARE Standard. These beneficiaries either pay the fixed daily rate of $417, or a cost share of 25 percent of the hospital's billed charges whichever is less. They also pay 25 percent of the allowable charge for separately billed professional services. There is no DRG rate increase for beneficiaries who use a TRICARE network facility under TRICARE Extra. Rates for inpatient mental health care or a substance-use disorder will increase from $154 to $159 per day for retirees, their families and survivors who use TRICARE Standard. They also pay 25 percent of the allowable charge for separately billed professional services. The inpatient mental health rate is unchanged for family members of active duty service members, military retirees, their families and survivors in TRICARE Prime and Extra.
     For more information about DRG payments, contact the nearest Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator (BCAC). A BCAC directory is at http://www.tricare.osd.mil/BCACDirectory.htm or you see a customer service representative at the nearest TRICARE service center. An online directory is at http://www.tricare.osd.mil/tricareservicecenters/default.cfm   [Source: NAUS Update for 8 NOV 2002]

Medicare Part B Delayed Enrollment Update: In the first session of the 107th Congress, Rep. Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced H.R. 2073, which would waive the Part B delayed enrollment penalty for military retirees who enroll by 31 Dec 2002. The bill would also provide a special Part B enrollment period for military retirees. The bill was referred to the House Subcommittee on Health, Committee on Ways and Means. In June 2002, the Subcommittee reported out H.R. 4954, the Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act of 2002 to the Ways and Means Committee, which, in a special session, marked it up and reported it to the House for floor action. Section 517 of it included language similar to that in H.R. 2073. On 28 June 2002, the House passed H.R. 4954 (221-208) and sent it to the Senate, which put it on its Legislative Calendar where it continues to sit. If - and that is a big if - there is to be a favorable action taken this year, it will happen in the lame duck session starting on 12 November. If the bill or the language of Section 517 is not passed, the bill dies when the 107th Congress adjourns and will have to be reintroduced in the 108th Congress.
     Military medical beneficiaries who are eligible for Medicare, but do not have Part B coverage can reconsider their choice on 1 JAN 03. On 31 March 2003, the special open enrollment period for delayed enrollment will close and under current law will not be available until 1 January 2004, with an added 10% penalty. Effective 1 December 2002 a 1.4% COLA increase will appear in the checks arriving in January 2003 for Retired Pay, Social Security benefits and VA benefits. While the COLA is 1.4%, the cost of Part B premiums increases to $58.70 from $54.50, which is an 8.7 percent increase. This means $5.87 is added for each 12-month period of delayed enrollment. Thus, for someone who delayed enrolling for 5 years his/her Part B premium cost would be $88.05 per month ($5.87 x 5 = $29.35 + $58.70 = $88.05). One of the factors military medical beneficiaries without Part B coverage might want to consider is to compare their Part B and Part B penalty cost and qualify for TRICARE For Life coverage against the cost of their Medicare supplemental policies and their other out-of-pocket expenses for health care.
[Source: NAUS Update 25 OCT 02]

Funeral Honors Bugle: Honor guard members, though not musicians, can now play "Taps" on a recently developed ceremonial bugle. It contains a small device that can be inserted deep into the bell of a bugle that plays a very high-quality rendition of Taps virtually indistinguishable from a live bugler. The ceremonial bugle is intended to be a dignified alternative to pre-recorded Taps played on a stereo, but will not be used as a substitute for a military musician when one is available. To use the device, a member of an honor guard needs merely to push a button and hold the bugle to his or her lips. It offers several other advantages over a stereo, including increased reliability.
     The Department will begin a six-month test of the ceremonial bugle in Missouri beginning 7 NOV 02. Fifty prototype bugles will be distributed to military units and other authorized providers of funeral honors, such as veterans' service organizations. During the test, families and honor guard members will be surveyed. Once that data is compiled and the test is completed, a decision will be made whether to expand the program or not. The Department of Defense provides military funeral honors free of charge to thousands of veterans' families each year. These honors demonstrate the nation's deep gratitude to those who, in time of war and peace, have defended their country. The ceremonial paying of respect is a final tribute to their service. [Source: DoD News Release No. 546-02 dtd 24 OCT 02]

Burial Flags: VA provides an American flag to drape the casket of a deceased individual who:

*    Served in any war
*    Died, while in active military, naval, or air service after 27 MAY 1941
*    Served after 31 JAN 1955
*    Died while a member of the Selected Reserve
*    Served at least one enlistment or had been discharged or released from active service for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
*    Was entitled to retired pay for service as a Reservist at the time of death, or would have been entitled to retired pay, but for the fact that the individual was under 60 years of age.
*    Was a member or former member of the Selected Reserve who completed at least one enlistment or period of initial obligated service as a member of the Selected Reserve, or was discharged before completion of the initial period for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.

     Veterans separated from service must have been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. After the funeral service, the flag may be given to the next of kin, close friend, or associate of the deceased veteran. Burial flags may be obtained at VA regional offices, national cemeteries and most post offices. A flag may also be obtained with VA Form 21-2008 U.S. Flag for Burial Purposes which can be downloaded at  http://www.va.gov/FORMS/default.asp   Application should be accompanied by a copy of the deceased veterans DD-214 or any other discharge document noting an honorable discharge. [Source: VA Pamphlet 80-01-1]

AFRH Washington Update 2: The US Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington DC has accepted a $32.7 million dollar bid from one of the nation's largest home builders. In 1999 Congress authorized the home to sell 49 acres of undeveloped property. The sell or lease option was open to all bidders with Catholic University, its adjourning neighbor, given the right to match the highest bid. Catholic University has had a long-standing desire to obtain this property and had previously made an effort to wrest the parcel of land from the AFRH at a much cheaper price. Towards this they had filed an unsuccessful lawsuit in the US Court of Federal Claims which sought a restraining order to prevent open bidding. At this time, Catholic University has been notified of the bid and given six months to determine if they will make an offer. DOD has agreed to allow the University to pay a total of $26 million dollars as a lump sum purchase price, which actuaries say is equivalent to the offer of $32.7 million dollars discounted over a period of six years.
     DOD has not yet exercised its authority to increase the enlisted payroll deduction from .50 to $1.00 to offset the annual shortfall of $10 to $12 million required to maintain both the Gulfport, Mississippi and Washington DC properties. [Source: VFW Washington Weekly 1 NOV 02]

TRICARE Handbook: The September 2002 TRICARE Handbook, is available for distribution to beneficiaries and providers worldwide. The new handbook highlights all three TRICARE options Prime, Standard and Extra and the many health care programs and benefits added since the 1997 red, white and blue edition. New topics and benefits covered include TRICARE For Life, TRICARE Prime Remote for Active Duty Family Members, TRICARE Plus, Travel Reimbursement, Chiropractic Care, TRICARE Senior Pharmacy Program, TRICARE Dental Program, Debt Collection Assistance Officer Program, Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator Program, and more. The handbook has a fresh new design and color. The cover is white with a vignette representing uniformed services families, ranks and memorabilia on the front and helpful telephone numbers and addresses on the back. Included inside are improved charts and graphs for cost comparisons, tips and helpful reminders for beneficiaries to consider before seeking care from authorized civilian providers. If you would like to make comments to improve the handbook, contact TRICARE Management Activity, Office of Communications and Customer Service, Skyline Five, Suite 622, 5111 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22014-3206; call (703) 681-1770; or send e-mail to  webmaster@tma.osd.mil  
     The new handbook is being shipped to TRICARE service centers and military treatment facilities in every TRICARE region and is available to sponsors and their family members upon request. The online version at  http://www.tricare.osd.mil/TricareHandbook/  is in PDF format [i.e., Adobe Acrobat Reader software is required to view/print the handbook. A free copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader software can be downloaded from the Adobe web site at  http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html ].
     Providers or organizations requiring additional quantities of handbooks may order the handbook from the TRICARE SMART Store at http://www.tricare.osd.mil/smart/   Sponsors and family members with TRICARE questions or in need of assistance are still encouraged to contact their local beneficiary counseling and assistance coordinator, health benefits adviser, or TRICARE service center representative. A list of local and regional toll-free TRICARE telephone numbers is available in the handbook and on the TRICARE Web site at http://www.tricare.osd.mil/main/tollfree.htm  [Source: Milton Bell msg dtd 1 Nov 2002]

NMOP Update: Express Scripts, Inc. has been contracted by DoD to replace Medco Health Managed Care in servicing the Tricare National Mail Order Pharmacy Program (NMOP). The shift from one contractor to another will occur on 1 MAR 03. All personnel now benefiting from the NMOP will be receiving direct mail info from the new contractor beginning in January. Additional details will be sent by Express Scripts in February as to the transfer of prescriptions in progress, etc. Detailed info and directions will be received in adequate time for all to adjust to the new contractor.

Concurrent Receipt Update 6: Uniformed services retirees with service-connected disabilities must forfeit a dollar of military retired pay for each dollar received in VA disability compensation. Last year, the Defense Authorization Act contained a provision to authorize retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability to receive military retired pay concurrently with veterans' disability compensation without an offset. However, no funding was provided. This year the House provision contains concurrent receipt if the disability is 60 percent or greater. The Senate provision provides for full concurrent receipt. Military and veterans organizations are concerned and disappointed with the threatened presidential veto of this legislation. This is one of the reasons the Defense Authorization Bill has not yet been sent to the President. Clearly, committee members are trying to find a way to compromise. Articles supporting concurrent receipt are appearing in newspapers across the country, and journalists continue to contact military fraternal organizations wanting input to write about why Congress isn't acting on concurrent receipt legislation that nine out of ten legislators supposedly support. Concerned veterans can make a contribution to this endeavor. With legislators abandoning the FY 2003 Defense Bill and campaigning in earnest for re-election, it's time to challenge them to make a firm stand on concurrent receipt while they're on home turf and before Election Day. Ask your candidate what he or she is doing for the veteran. Not Voting Doesn't Help. You can't help any cause if you stay home on Election Day. If you want to make a statement, go to the polls and vote for the candidates who will make a firm commitment to act in your interests.

COLA 2003: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) this week announced the September update of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which determines the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to various federal programs including military retired pay, survivor benefits, and veterans compensation, as well as Social Security annuities and many others. The COLA for all those programs will be 1.4 percent, effective December 1 and payable in the checks that will be received on January 2, 2003.
    In general, the COLA is equal to the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of one year to the third quarter of the next. For the December 2002 COLA, the increase in the average CPI-W from the third calendar quarter of 2001 was measured and compared to the third quarter of 2002. The averages are 174.1 and 176.6 for the third calendar quarters of 2001 and 2002, respectively. The calculation of this percentage increase is as follows (rounded to the nearest one-tenth of one percent): [176.6 - 174.1) / 174.1 x 100 = 1.4]

Social Security Increase 2003: The 46 million Social Security recipients will get a COLA 1.4 percent increase that amounts to $13 a month more for the typical retiree. About one-third of that will be eaten up by an increase in monthly Medicare premiums. The increase, which also will go to 7 million recipients of Supplemental Security Income, the government's cash assistance program for the poor. This is the smallest increase since a 1.3 percent rise in 1999. The average monthly SS check for individual retirees will rise to $895 starting in January from the current $882. The average retired couple will see monthly checks go to $1,483 from $1,463, an increase of $20. Social Security also announced that for working Americans, the maximum annual earnings subject to Social Security taxes next year will rise to $87,000 from $84,900 currently. This change will affect about 9.7 million of the 155 million workers paying Social Security taxes.
    As a result of the increase the maximum yearly Social Security tax paid by employees and employers will increase by $130.20 each for a total of $5394.00. For self-employed workers, it will rise by $260.40. Information about Medicare changes for 2003 can be found at the web site for the Department of Health and Human Services  http://www.hhs.gov [Source: Associated Press Oct. 19, 2002]

SHAD Update: Project SHAD, an acronym for Shipboard Hazard and Defense, was part of the joint service chemical and biological warfare test program conducted during the 1960s and early 1970s. Project SHAD encompassed tests designed to identify U.S. warships' vulnerabilities to attacks with chemical or biological warfare agents and to develop procedures to respond to such attacks while maintaining a war-fighting capability. On Oct. 9, the DoD released declassified reports about 28 sea- and land-based tests of chemical and biological materials known collectively as "Project 112." DoD had previously declassified reports for 12 other tests. Information about VA's efforts on behalf of veterans of Project SHAD and Project 112 is available on the VA Internet site at  http://www.va.gov/SHAD Veterans who believe they may have been exposed to dangerous substances as part of the military's tests are encouraged to come to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for a medical evaluation. Veterans who want information about obtaining a medical evaluation or filing a claim for disability benefits, may call the SHAD Helpline at 800-749-8387 or send an email to VA at shadehelpline@vba.va.gov SHAD fact sheets are available at http://deploymentlink.osd.mil/current_issues/shad/shad_tests.shtml   [Source VA News Releases dtd 11 OCT 02]

Space "A" Military Guides: The best known introductory guide is "Military Space-A Air Basic Training and Reader Trip Reports" by Ann and Roy Crawford. You can find it in many exchanges, and it is also available from Military Living Publications, P. O. Box 2347, Falls Church, VA 22042-0347. Their telephone number is (703) 237-0203, and Ann and Roy receive Internet email at  MilLivRnR@aol.com  Their company also offers several other publications that might be of interest to Space A travelers, including maps, topic-specific guidebooks listing sources of flights and billets, and a bi-monthly newsletter. Other publishers also offer guidebooks and newsletters, many of which are listed on the Space A World Wide Web home page. Which one you chose will depend on a number of factors such as price, availability, currency, comprehensiveness, and compactness (remember that 30 pound baggage limitation!). The most compact and comprehensive guidebook available is the "Worldwide Space-A Travel Handbook", which is available from 2-10-4 Publications, P.O. Box 55, Hurst, TX 76053-0055 or by calling (888)277-2232. You can also send an email to  handbookinfo@spaceatravel.com   [ Source: http://www.spaceatravel.com/ ]

Reservists Disaster Loan Application: Small businesses that employ military reservists who are called to active duty, and are interested in applying for a Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan (MREIDL) can download the application from the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Web site. The MREIDL provides loans to eligible small businesses to cover operating expenses that would have been met, but cannot be met because an essential employee was called to active duty. The SBA determines the amount of economic injury, the term of each loan and the payment amount, based on the financial circumstances of each borrower. Interested businesses can contact one of four SBA disaster area offices to obtain an application. NY at 800-659-2955; GA at 800-359-2227; TX at 800-366-6303; and CA at 800-488-5323.
[Source: EANGUS Weekly Report 10-18-02]

DFAS Electronic Pay Service: Members of the retiree community can now avail themselves of improved DFAS services from "myPay" to manage their pay account information more easily and more securely than ever before. Formerly known as E/MSS, myPay allows retirees and annuitants as well as active, Reserve, and Guard members and civilian employees to take charge of their pay accounts online. The new improved service at http://mypay.dfas.mil went online15 OCT 02. With myPay, customers can perform the following activities by using their existing E/MSS Personal Identification Number (PIN):

*   View, print and save leave and earnings statements
*   View and print tax statements (military members will have this available in JAN 2003)
*   Change federal and state tax withholdings
*   Update bank account and electronic funds transfer information
*   Manage allotments
*   Edit address information
*   Purchase U.S. Savings Bonds
*   Control Thrift Savings Plan enrollment (military only)
*   View and print travel vouchers
(Note: Features vary by Armed Service and status.)

    According to DFAS officials, myPay's new design helps customers find the information they want and complete any transaction in three clicks and improves customer confidence by providing clear confirmation messages. It combines encryption and secure sockets layer technology with the user's social security number and PIN to safeguard information from unauthorized access. Service is available nearly 24 hours a day. Personnel who have been using E/MSS can continue to use their PIN at http://mypay.dfas.mil Personnel in the following categories - military retirees and annuitants, civilian employees, active Air Force and Marine Corps members - who need a new PIN should go to the web site and click on "need new PIN?". Active Army and Navy members can also request PINs by faxing name, social security number, phone number, signature, and copy of a government ID to DFAS at (216) 522-5800. Then, log on following the instructions provided. Anyone with questions about myPay can call customer support at 1 (800) 390-2348 M-F 07-1920 EST.
[Source: Charles Gray Civ 4MSS/DPF  charles.gray@seymourjohnson.af.mil  Msg dtd 22 OCT 02]

Concurrent Receipt Update 5: Politics as usual. Negotiations on the fiscal 2003 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4546) have effectively ground to a halt despite overwhelming congressional support. 83% of senators and 90% of representatives have signed their names in support of legislation to fix the disability offset to military retired pay. House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) is reportedly refusing to allow the bill to come to the House floor if it has any meaningful concurrent receipt provision in it. Allegedly to placate the Administration, which has been flooding military and public media in recent weeks with exaggerated and misleading rhetoric opposing concurrent receipt.

The Bush administration is going all out to prevent disabled retiree vets from receiving the same benefit that Civil Service retirees have who have rated service connected disabilities. They have succeeded in getting the conference committee's decision on the NDAA delayed until after the November elections so the President's threatened veto will not have to become a reality that will cost his party congressional seats. In the interim, opponents of concurrent receipt legislation have attacked on another front. The administration's supporters in the VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee for the fiscal year 2003 VA appropriations bill (H.R. 5605), now have inserted a provision that would adversely impact on veterans with disabilities in the future. It will bar the Department of Veterans Affairs from deciding any claim for service connection that, if allowed, would entitle the veteran to compensation in addition to retired pay under any newly enacted concurrent receipt legislation.

THIS LEGISLATION WOULD:

*   Prevent any military retiree from receiving their earned VA disability compensation for any new ailments that arise due to their service.

*   Prevent any military retiree whose current service connected disability severely worsens from seeking a rating increase for that disability

*   Discriminate against military retirees, making them the only class of veteran unable to seek their earned benefits from the system created to protect all veterans.

For example, if a veteran with 22 years of service loses both legs due to hostilities in Afghanistan or Iraq, he could not have his claim for service connection acted on by VA.

Veterans who want to express their concerns on this issue, pro or con, should not delay in contacting their congressional representatives on what they want them to do and how they intend to vote in the future if their concerns are not acted upon. You can find contact information for your legislators or send email at  http://www.vfwdc.org/NLS/1legishomepage.htm  or  http://capwiz.com/troa/home/    [Source: Various 18 OCT 02]

Pharmacy - Bubble Packs: The administration of wrong medications or wrong dosages of prescribed drugs injure thousands of inpatients and older users every year. Most nursing homes require that the medicines be packaged in daily doses. Bubble packs individual, one dose bubbles with push-through foil backing, packed by a pharmacist or pharmacy technician are an attempt to reduce such errors. Unfortunately, bubble packs are available through only a very few Tricare Retail Pharmacies and not at all through the National Mail Order Pharmacy [NMOP] plan. You need to contact the Tricare managed-care contractor for your region to ask which Tricare Retail Pharmacies in your area to ask which, if any, can provide prescription drugs in bubble packs if you feel you need this extra safety feature. You can also use an ordinary pharmacy that provides this service and file Tricare claims, subject to Tricare deductible and copay of $9.00 or 20% of the prescription cost, whichever is greater.
[Source: James Hamby, Tricare Help Navy Times article 16 SEP 02]

MGIB Update 3: Montgomery GI Bill benefits for most active duty members and former active duty members jumped up on Oct. 1. Payments for those with at least three years of active duty went from $800 to $900 a month and for those with just two years of active duty rose from $650 to $732. The increases are part two of a three-step series designed to cover more of a four-year education at a public college or university than in the past. The final step, due Oct. 1, 2003, will increase payments to $985 and $800 respectively. The $985 would still be some $200 short of the costs of tuition, fees and books, and Rep. Christopher Smith, R-N.J., the House Veterans' Affairs Committee chairman, plans to seek further hikes. [Source: Armed Forces News Issue Oct. 4, 2002]

VA Priority Health Care: The Department of Veterans Affairs is establishing priority access to health care for severely disabled veterans under new regulations recently announced by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. The new regulation is being implemented in two phases. Under the first phase, which is being implemented immediately, VA will provide priority access to health care for veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 50 percent or greater. This new priority includes hospitalization and outpatient care for both service-connected and non-service-connected treatment. VA will continue to treat immediately any veteran needing emergency care.

In the second phase, which will be implemented next year, VA will provide priority access to other service-connected veterans for their service-connected conditions. The number of veterans using VA's health care system has risen dramatically in recent years, increasing from 2.9 million in 1995 to a projected 4.4 million in 2002. An additional 600,000 veterans are projected to enroll in VA health care in 2003. Unable to absorb this increase, VA has more than 280,000 veterans on waiting lists to receive medical care. Although VA operates more than 1,300 sites of care, including 163 hospitals and more than 800 outpatient clinics, the increase in veterans seeking care outstrips VA's capacity to treat them.
[Source: VA News Release dtd Oct. 3, 2002]

FEHBP Demonstration Project End: The Department of Defense (DoD) Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) Demonstration Project will end Dec. 31, 2002. Beginning Jan. 1, 2003, FEHBP Demonstration Project beneficiaries will resume health care coverage with TRICARE. The FEHBP Demonstration Project was mandated by Congress for three years and was jointly sponsored by DoD and the Office of Personnel Management. The project was implemented on Jan. 1, 2000, and was among several DoD demonstration projects targeted to improving health care options for Medicare-eligible beneficiaries. The FEHBP Demonstration Project was available in 10 demonstration sites within the United States and Puerto Rico. TRICARE options for beneficiaries enrolled in the FEHBP demonstration project will vary according to their beneficiary category:

*   FEHBP Demonstration Project beneficiaries who are age 65 and over, Medicare eligible and enrolled in Medicare Part B may begin to use TRICARE For Life, DoD's wraparound Medicare coverage, immediately when the demonstration ends.

*   Beneficiaries who are age 65 and over and Medicare eligible but who are not enrolled in Medicare Part B may purchase Medicare Part B during a special enrollment period that will be announced at a later date. This special enrollment period will allow these beneficiaries to become eligible for TRICARE For Life benefits on Jan. 1, 2003. A premium surcharge may be imposed on beneficiaries who declined enrollment in Medicare Part B when they first became Medicare eligible.

*   Beneficiaries who are under age 65 and are Medicare eligible due to a disability or end-stage renal disease must be enrolled in Medicare Part B in order to be eligible for TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Extra or TRICARE Standard, and they will receive DoD's wraparound Medicare coverage, TRICARE For Life.

Health care options for beneficiaries who are not under Medicare are:

*   TRICARE Prime: Beneficiaries may enroll with a primary care manager at a military treatment facility (MTF) or within an established network of civilian providers. Retirees and their families may enroll in TRICARE Prime. Costs for TRICARE Prime include annual enrollment fees ($230 per individual or $460 per family) and minimal co-payments for care received in the civilian network. TRICARE Prime may not be available in all locations.

*   TRICARE Extra: A preferred provider option that allows beneficiaries the freedom to choose from any TRICARE network provider. TRICARE Extra providers agree to accept the TRICARE maximum allowable charge (TMAC) for services rendered. Beneficiaries are responsible for a 20 percent cost share after deductibles are met. TRICARE Extra may not be available in all locations.

*   TRICARE Standard: A fee-for-service option that allows beneficiaries to choose from any TRICARE-authorized provider. Cost shares are five percent higher than TRICARE Extra after deductibles are met. Beneficiaries who use TRICARE Standard may be responsible for additional charges from the provider (up to 15 percent above the TMAC). Some outpatient procedures and certain specialized treatments may require beneficiaries to obtain nonavailability statements from nearby MTFs before using TRICARE Standard.

*   TRICARE pharmacy: Beneficiaries may have prescriptions filled at MTF pharmacies free of charge, or for a nominal fee, prescriptions may be filled through the National Mail Order Pharmacy (NMOP) or at civilian network and non-network pharmacies.

*   TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP): Comprehensive dental benefits are available under TRDP which offers diagnostic, preventive, basic and major restorative services, endodontic and periodontic services, prosthodontic services, orthodontics, oral surgery, anesthesia, drugs and post-surgical services, and emergency services. All premiums are paid by the beneficiary and vary depending on the beneficiary's place of residence.

TRICARE Management Activity will mail information about the demonstration project end date and future health care options to current beneficiaries. They may also may contact the FEHBP Demonstration Project Customer Care Center from 09-1930 EDT at 1-877-363-3342 (English) or at 1-866-363-3342 (Spanish) or visit the TRICARE Web site at  http://www.tricare.osd.mil/fehbp/  for more information.
[Source: TRICARE News Release No. 02-25 dtd 30 SEP 02 at  http://www.tricare.osd.mil  ]

Email COA Service: Finding an internet server who keeps you satisfied is not always easy. As a result veterans must periodically change their email addee for many reasons. If they want to maintain their old contacts they send an email to everyone in their address book that they want to remain in touch with. This is not always effective and often some contacts are lost. If you want to ensure that anyone attempting to communicate with you can reach your new email addee check out  http://www.returnpath.net  This is a free service that provides you with options that enable you to communicate your new email addee to those sending you email. The Return Path service does not forward email so you can escape spam. It lets you either select who may receive your new e-mail address, or grant permission to share your new e-mail address with anyone who knows your old e-mail address. To register just enter your old and new email address. You will then be sent an email giving guidance on how to select your account options. This is a quick and easy way avoid losing communications with those you want to keep in touch with.

Congressional Email: Recent events have caused the United States Postal Service and Congress to develop procedures to ensure the safety of congressional members and staffs. Therefore, rather than mail being delivered directly to Congress, it goes to offset locations having special capabilities before it is delivered to the addressees. These same procedures apply to the mail sent to the White House and Federal agencies. While safety is increased, so is the time required for the processing and handling of mail and thereby causing a long delay before a response is received. With the built in time delay and the increasing ease and access of the general public to the Internet and electronic mail , constituents are now using email to communicate with their congressional delegations.
     Members of Congress want to hear from their constituents. In fact, they need to hear from them and each office receives thousands of letters and email messages annually. The first action taken by congressional staff member is to determine whether the communication is from a constituent. That is crucial to determining whether that letter will receive a response. Constituent mail is more apt to receive a reply than non-constituents. Therefore, your communications to members of Congress, whether letter or email, MUST include:

* Your name;
* Your address; and should also include,
* A daytime and evening telephone number at which you can be reached.

     The inclusion of this common sense information will help to ensure your input is read rather than put aside or deleted. A convenient way to send email to your congressman is via the NAUS website  http://www.naus.org It has a link with CAPWIZ, through which Email can be sent to the President, members of Congress and the Secretary of Defense. Email sent through the NAUS - CAPWIZ link requires the sender to include the "must" provide information specified above, so that constituent status can be easily determined and helps to ensure the message is read.
[Source: NAUS Leg Up 27 SEP 02]

US Navy Email: The Baguio RAO constantly gets requests from former service personnel attempting to locate a shipmate. Even if we have that person in our directory of over 24,000 email addees we are prohibited from releasing any information by the privacy act unless that individual specifically authorizes us to. A simple alternative is for a web site dedicated to listing former Navy personnel current email addees that will not release addee info to scammers or generate any solicitations or advertisements to those on the list or those accessing the list.
     A new online database meeting these requirements can be found at http://www.usnavyemail.com Only people who have registered with the service are listed. It is not a U.S. Navy or DoD site. It is a website dedicated to helping US Navy personnel find their shipmates and it was created and is run by a prior-enlisted officer, currently serving in the US Navy Reserves. There are no fees or charges. Navy personnel, active, reserve, or retired can add themselves to this database. Anyone trying to locate these individuals can access their email addee by name or former command if entered. Users will not be exposed to any banner ads for credit cards, job fairs, the History Channel or anything asking them to buy anything. Those already registered can make changes or delete their name from the list as desired. Not recommended for anyone who is trying to dodge creditors, the authorities, or a current or former spouse.
[Source: http://www.usnavyemail.com SEP 02]

Military Mail & Customs: Nearly all of the military mail arriving from overseas is now being checked by U.S. Customs agents because of recent
increases in contraband. Normal postal policy notes that all packages coming from overseas locations are always subject to inspections by customs agents, but recent discoveries have necessitated a closer look. U.S. Customs in Chicago started identifying nonmailable items coming through the mail from overseas post offices. The more they found, the more they started keying in on Army and Air Force post offices in the contingency areas. Customs agents have found items that violate customs laws, postal regulations and military regulations.
[Source: Armed Forces News Issue: Sept. 27, 2002]

MGIB-SR & Reserve Absences: Selected Reserve members who use education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve but fail to participate satisfactorily in the Reserve during their obligated period of service will have to refund their unearned benefits. Examples include members who excessively fail to attend scheduled training, fail the physical fitness testing, or do not complete required military courses. Selected Reservists are generally members who have attended training one weekend each month and two weeks a year. Reservists who accrue nine or more unauthorized absences from drills over a one-year period are placed into the "unsatisfactory" category. They then could be transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve and may lose their eligibility for educational assistance under the MGIB-SR. Such a penalty is specified in law and is a provision of the contract Guard and Reserve members sign when joining the Selected Reserve.
[Source: Armed Forces News Issue: Sept. 27, 2002]

VA Foreign Medical Program [FMA]: U.S. vets with service connected disabilities who reside or travel anywhere overseas except Canada or the Philippines can get care for their conditions through the VA Foreign Medical Program [FMA]. Under the FMP VA will pay 100% of health-care charges for treatment of a VA-approved, service connected disability. Similar health care services and payment benefits are available for vets who live or travel in Canada or the Philippines, although different VA offices have jurisdiction over authorizations and claims for medical services in these countries.
     Eligible vets traveling overseas for short periods do not have to notify FMP of their plans, but its best to do so to ensure that program info is readily available if emergency health care is needed. Vets planning to work for an extended time or permanently reside overseas should enroll in the FMP as soon as they have a permanent foreign address. To enroll send your full name, SSN, VA claim number, permanent mailing address and/or overseas residence address, and a copy of your VA rating decision letter(s) to Health Administration Center, PO Box 65021, Denver CO 80206-9021. If you do not have a copy of the VA rating decision letter(s) you may authorize FMP to obtain copies from your servicing VARO. After eligibility is verified you should get a benefits authorization letter and an FMP Handbook. It is recommended you make several copies of the letter and store it in a safe place as you must provide a copy of the letter to prove to overseas health care providers that you're eligible for FMP participation.
     The Handbook has detailed explanations of covered benefits, advice on selecting overseas health-care providers, and where and how to submit claims. The FMP does not contract with overseas health-care providers, nor is it able to assist with finding providers who will accept FMP patients. It may be possible to obtain info on local providers who are familiar with FMP from a U.S. embassy or consulate or a nearby U.S. military installation. Before getting care eligible veterans are required to present their FMP benefits authorization letter to the overseas primary-care provider or specialist. There are no prior-authorization requirements for treatment, referrals, diagnostic tests or related services, except for the use of medical equipment valued at $300 or more. Only prescription drugs required to treat the service connected disability and approved by the U.S. FDA will be covered. Current info about approved medications is on the FDA web site https://www.fda.gov/cder/
     Users are encouraged to make copies of the Fact Sheet for Office Managers (01-17) from the FMP website http://www.va.gov/hac/fmp/fmp.html This explains to providers that you have no copay, that a clinical review may be conducted to verify treatment is related to service-connected conditions and that preauthorization is not required. Moreover, it lists specific information and documentation needed on payment claims, provides the address of the claims processing unit, and advises that payment for most claims usually is made within 45 working days after receipt. Further info on FMP can be found at this web site or by sending an email to hac.fmp@med.va.gov Correspondence should be sent to same address as for enrollment. Service representatives are available 09-1820 EST M-R at [303] 331-7590.
     Info on how to obtain medical services and file claims in Canada is available by mail from VAM&RO Center (136FC), North Hartland Rd., White River Junction, VT 05009-0001 or via email request to vavbawjr/ro/vsc@vba.va.gov In the Philippines, write to or visit the VA Outpatient Clinic (358/00), 2201 Rozas Blvd., Pasay City 1300, Republic of Philippines or send an email to manlvaro.ingry@vba.va.gov
[Source: Mike Lazorchak retiredmilitary@atpco.com article 23 SEP 02]

VA Overseas Disability Claims/Exams: Veterans living in foreign countries other than the Philippines file their claims with the Washington Regional Office (WRO). Their address is 1120 Vermont Avenue N.W. Washington D.C., DC 20421. The Manila Regional Office is the only overseas VARO. It normally only handles disability claims for veterans residing in the Philippines. At the Manila OPC they do sometimes conduct Compensation and Pension examinations at the request of veterans living in other foreign countries. However, it becomes complicated because the ordering of the exam must come to them from the WRO and coordinating a response from that office has historically been difficult. If they do conduct the exam, they limit payment of travel expenses to the locally incurred costs directly associated with the exam. They would not pay for the cost of traveling from Thailand, for example, to the Philippines. The normal procedure is for WRO to arrange for the exam through the US Embassy in the country where the veteran is residing. The results of the exam are returned to the WRO and adjudication of the claim takes place in Washington. [Source: VA Manila OPC Director 11 DEC 00]

Concurrent Receipt Update 4: Disregard Update 3. It has been confirmed by the American Legion HQ Legislative representative that Army Times reporter Rick Maze, the author of the initial article that reported the compromise deal and source of the last Bulletin Update article content, has retracted his information. The conference report might be completed by late Thursday PM, but no deals have been struck on CR as of this update. We will keep you advised.

Concurrent Receipt Update 3: Congressional negotiators tentatively approved a 10-year phased concurrent receipt plan Tuesday 24 SEP that would give an estimated 670,000 disabled retirees more money, according to sources involved in the talks. In reaching the agreement, negotiators are willing to gamble that President Bush will not veto the 2003 defense authorization bill if it includes any attempt to eliminate the current dollar-for-dollar offset in military retired pay required of those who also get veteran's disability pay. The White House has threatened such a veto. But with 402 House and 83 Senate cosponsors of concurrent receipt - more than enough to override a veto - negotiators feel emboldened to challenge the White House. In particular, they doubt Bush would veto the defense bill just before the November general elections over a congressionally popular issue affecting disabled veterans. The agreement was reached during discussions between the chairmen and ranking minority party members of the House and Senate armed services committees, who told their staffs to work out a way to include concurrent receipt in the final defense bill. Concurrent receipt is one of the last issues to be resolved as lawmakers try to complete work on next year's defense authorization bill.

With details such as the effective date and legislative language still to be worked out, the agreement would use a "worst-first" philosophy in ending the current offset in military retired pay for those also getting veterans' disability compensation, sources said. In the first year, the offset would be repealed for the estimated 56,900 military retirees with disabilities rated at 100 percent. The second year would end the offset for those with disability ratings of 90 percent, the third year for those with ratings of 80 percent, and so on until the offset is completely gone after 10 years. The amount of extra retired pay that would result from this plan would vary from person to person, but could not exceed the amount they receive in disability pay. Not all disabled retirees would be affected. Only those who have 20 years in uniform - which could be active or reserve service, or a combination of both - would qualify. This would mean that disabled veterans who were medically retired with fewer than 20 years of service would not be able to receive full-retired pay from the military and disability pay from the Department of Veterans' Affairs. It is unclear if disabled veterans who took an early retirement option that was available during the military drawdown would be affected by the new concurrent receipt plan. [Source: Army Times staff writer Rick Maze 25 SEP 02]

Veteran's Advocate Referral Service: If you received a final denial of benefits by the Board of Veterans' Appeals and need competent legal
representation in an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for veterans claims assistance is available from the National Organization of Veterans'
Advocates, Inc. (NOVA). This a non-profit corporation of attorneys and non-attorney practitioners whose sustaining members are admitted to
practice before the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. They are committed to helping veterans and surviving dependents with
appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. The Advocate Referral Service (ARS) is made up of sustaining members of NOVA who have met the rules and regulations mandated by NOVA's Board of Directors. The ARS will make a referral to any claimant who has received a final denial of benefits from a decision of the Board of Veterans Appeals within the last 12 months. The term "claimant" includes veterans, dependents of veterans or the surviving spouse or dependents of veterans and in certain case persons acting on behalf of the veteran. The claimant's appeal may include claims for disability benefits, death benefits, education or loan benefits, or any other benefit offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). To receive a referral, a claimant must provide to ARS a copy of the final denial of benefits decision from Board of Veterans Appeals. ARS does not make referrals to claimants whose appeals are still pending at the administrative level. A referral by ARS does not guarantee the success of the case.

To obtain a referral mail to ARS, P.O. Box 1625, Topeka, KS, 66601-1625, a copy of the final denial of benefits decision issued by the Board of Veteran's Appeals which must be dated within the past 12 months. Upon receipt of the decision, ARS will make a referral to an advocate admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. The referral to the advocate will include the veteran's name and a copy of the Board's decision. ARS will mail to the claimant, the name, address, and phone number of the advocate who will review the claimant's case. The claimant must thereafter contact the advocate. ARS will provide to claimants who have not received a final denial of benefits from the Board of Veteran's Appeals a list of advocates who are willing to discuss representation at the VA Regional Office level or at the Board of Veterans Appeals prior to a final denial of benefits. More detailed info is available at http://www.vetadvocates.com/ or RAO Baguio. [Source: 2 SEP 02 NOVA Newsletter]

Retiree Mobilization - Army: The Secretary of the Army's approval is required to mobilize retirees. Sections 688 and 12301 of Title 10, U.S. Code, and Army Regulation 601-10 govern the recall and mobilization management of retired soldiers of the Army. When directed by the Secretary of the Army, retirees from any component may be mobilized and recalled to active duty. AR-PERSCOM's Retiree Mobilization is the mobilization planning and recall center for U.S. Army retirees. AR-PERSCOM maintains soldier data for all retirees in the Total Army Personnel Database Reserve (TAPDB-R) in addition to the availability of retiree's Military Personnel Records Jacket (MPRJ) maintained by the National Personnel Record Center (NRPC). By law, retired solders are mobilization assets for life. Current Army policy removes you from mobilization and recall to active duty at age 60. However, volunteers may be recalled up to age 70. Retirees with critical skills may be recalled at any age.

You can volunteer for pre-assignment to specific locations, commands or agencies to fill mobilization position at partial mobilization or above. Voluntary pre-assignments to specific mobilization positions will remain in force until your 70th birthday. The current process of pre-assignment equates to the earmarking of computer records. Retiree requirements and records are reviewed monthly and Retirees who are most recently retired (those with current skills and knowledge of Army systems and procedures) with needed grade and military skill are selected to fill the positions. Pre-assignments are changed frequently; therefore, retirees are not notified of their change in assignment. Retiree pre-assignment or Hip Pocket orders ceased to exist in August 1996. AR-PERSCOM no longer produces paper orders unless it receives a recall to active duty. Retirees are pre-assigned to mobilization positions for recall to active duty in support of an expansion of the nation's military forces.

You can request voluntary recall for contingency operation or pre-assignment (Reservists not yet age 60 and Regular Army Retirees) in
writing, by telephone or email. Your request must include your desired location, installation or major command. Contact or send your request to
AR-PERSCOM , ATTN: ARPC-PSP-A, 1 Reserve Way, St. Louis, MO 63132-5200 Tel: [800] 325-2660 Fax: [314] 592-0582 or Email to: mobops@arpstl.army.mil In addition, a new self-service tool on AR-PERSCOM's My2xCitizen web site, offers an online volunteer option for interested Reserve soldiers. The Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System also enables a soldier to volunteer. As a Retiree, you may request your name be placed on a volunteer list for recall to support contingency operations. You may volunteer for a specific contingency operation such as Bosnia, or you may volunteer for any or all contingency operations in which the Secretary of the Army authorizes the recall of retired soldiers. When you volunteer for a specific campaign or any campaign, you will be placed on that list. If, or when Retirees are mobilized or recalled to active duty for that campaign, the volunteers will be called first. When the campaign ends, the volunteer list will be dissolved.

Retired soldiers are only mobilized for active duty to support a national emergency and the build up of forces when personnel requirements
cannot be met using Active Army personnel, National Guard, or Reserve forces. Mobilized retirees are not eligible for promotion. You may be
eligible for an increase in retirement pay if the time you spend on mobilization recall increases your years of service. Mobilized and recalled
retired soldiers may be assigned to overseas duty. Current plans are to use retired soldiers as replacements at stateside installations, in support of base operations, and as added staff in other agencies supporting the mobilization. Army Regulation 601-10, Management and Mobilization of
Retired Soldiers of the Army, provides for retirees subject to mobilization to participate in the Army Correspondence Courses Program. Retirees are entitled to take correspondence courses to maintain efficiency in their PMOS. Retirees that hold a key or emergency essential position with the federal government or a civilian contractor providing emergency essential service to the Army may be temporarily exempt from mobilization recall. The employer must submit a written request to AR-PERSCOM. This request must include the retiree's name, SSN, current address, title and grade of civilian position. Exemptions are good for one year and must be renewed. It's the responsibility of the employer to inform this agency when the employee no longer holds a critical position.

Notify AR-PERSCOM of any changes in your health that may prevent further service on active duty. Send written verification, such as a
Physician's statement, that includes the diagnosis, date of illness or injury, prognosis and expected date of recovery. You can send a Veterans
Affairs (VA) form listing the conditions and percent of disability. It is your responsibility to keep AR-PERSCOM advised of changes in your status and/or records; i.e., address, telephone numbers (home and work), and medical conditions that may prevent your return to military service.
[Source: https://www.2xcitizen.usar.army.mil/  17 SEP 02]

VA Scheduling Procedures: Faced with a flood of more than three million new patients since 1995 and no commensurate funding, VA director Anthony Principi recently declared a stop to marketing for new patients. He now reportedly has decided to change the VA's scheduling methods. The current policy that grants appointments on a first-come-first-served basis would be changed so that priority would go to the most severely disabled veterans. Under this new policy, severely disabled veterans would be given priority when they seek care for either service or non-service-connected care. Moderately disabled veterans would receive priority for service- connected care. Emergency care would not be affected. [Source: Armed Forces News Issue: Sept. 20, 2002]

VA Combat Vet Medical Services: Combat veterans are now eligible for medical services for 2-years after separation from military service even if there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude that their illness is attributable to their military service. This new statutory 2-year period
also allows for the collection of basic health information to aid in the evaluation of specific health questions such as difficult to explain illnesses. Veterans will be enrolled as priority category 6, and are not be subject to co-payments for care. The 2-year eligibility period begins on the separation date of the service member from active duty military service.

Care normally will not be provided with respect to a disability that is found to have resulted from a cause other than the military service in
combat operations. Combat veterans seeking treatment for health conditions claimed to be related to combat operations will be evaluated clinically by means of a physical examination and appropriate diagnostic studies. In making this determination, the physician must consider that the following types of conditions are not ordinarily considered to be due to occupational or military activities:

1. Congenital or developmental conditions, e.g., scoliosis.
2. Conditions which are known to have existed before military service.
3. Conditions having a specific and well-established etiology and that began after military combat service, e.g., bone fractures occurring after
    separation from military service, a common cold, etc.

Eligible veterans from National Guard and Reservist forces who were activated and served during hostilities are provided these services.
[Source: VHA Directive (2002-049), dtd 11 SEP 02]

Tricare Fraud/Abuse Suspicion: Nobody wants to knowingly contribute to Tricare fraud or abuse but do by failing to report it. There are serious penalties for veterans who have complicity in such activities. If you suspect fraud or abuse you are required to take action. If something does not seem right about your medical bills there may be a simple explanation. Perhaps an honest mistake has happened such as the same item was billed twice, or you've been billed for services you never received. If something does not seem right here's what to do:

1.  Double-check the billings from your provider of care and the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) you received from your Tricare contractor. Be sure that the only services listed are ones you actually received.

2.  If you can't resolve any problems you find by talking to the provider's billing office notify the program integrity unit of your regional Tricare contractor. Refer to Bulletin article on Tricare Fraud/Abuse reporting for how to do this. Explain what you think the problem is, and forward copies of the EOB and any other relevant documents.

3.  If you know, or have evidence of, another individual whether it be a provider of care or a Tricare eligible person submitting fraudulent claims to Tricare, notify your contractor.

4.  Although cost-share under Tricare may vary, it's illegal for a provider to waive those cost shares. You and Tricare are partners in the payment of your medical expenses. Report to your regional Tricare contractor any provider who waives your cost-share.
[Source: Tricare Standard Handbook SEP 97 pg. 162]

Tricare Fraud/Abuse Reporting: Best way to determine if this has occurred in your name is to review the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) you receive after a claim has been submitted in your name. Specific clues would be services billed for dates indicated on which you did not seek medical care and/or if the amount billed is radically higher than the prevailing charge for similar treatment available elsewhere in your community.

Examples of Fraud

*   Submitting claims for services not rendered/used
*   Falsified Claims or Medical Records
*   Misrepresentation of the dates, frequency, duration, or description of the services rendered
*   Billing for services at a higher level than provided or necessary
*   Falsifying eligibility
*   Failure to disclose coverage under other health insurance

Examples of Abuse

*   Pattern of waiving cost share /deductible
*   Failure to maintain adequate medical or financial records
*   A pattern of claims for services not medically necessary
*   Refusal to furnish or allow access to medical records
*   Improper billing practices

Reporting Fraud & Abuse - To investigate any allegation of fraud or abuse Health Net Federal Services (HNFS) must have the following information:

*   Who committed the fraud or abuse
*   When the fraud or abuse occurred (time frame)
*   Where the fraud or abuse occurred
*   Detailed description of the fraudulent or abusive activity

Where to Report Fraud & Abuse - You can make a report from the Pacific or any other geographic area through any one of the four resources listed below. Provide your name, phone number and address if you would like a response:

1. Online at http://www.healthnetfederalservices.com/bene/bc5_5_1_commitment_to_fight_fraud.asp
*Note: This reporting method is anonymous.

2. Call the Fraud Hotline: 1-800-977-6761

3. Send E-Mail to Program_Integrity@Health.Net

4. Mail your information to: Health Net Federal Services, Program Integrity, P.O. Box 2348, Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-2348
[Source: http://www.healthnetfederalservices.com/bene/bc5_5_1_commitment_to_fight_fraud.asp

Retiree Blood Donor Restrictions: In the past few months, many military retirees have come forward to donate blood because of news reports calling for donations. However, some retirees have been surprised to find that they are not eligible to give blood because of standards implemented last fall by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA imposed the restraints as a precautionary measure against exposure to the human form of mad cow disease. Affected are retirees and active-duty personnel, who:

*   Traveled or resided in the United Kingdom from 1980 through 1996 for a cumulative period of three months or more;
*   Traveled or resided in Europe from 1980 through 1996 for a cumulative period of six months or more;
*   Traveled or resided in Europe from 1980 to the present for a cumulative period of five years or more;
*   Received a blood transfusion in the United Kingdom since 1980;
*   Received a bovine insulin product produced in the United Kingdom since 1980

[Source: Armed Forces News Issue: 13 Sep 02]

VA News Releases via Email: The Department of Veterans Affairs has just implemented a new program that will allow any interested party to obtain electronic news releases. The VA will e-mail all of their written products within seconds of their formal release in Washington, DC. If you are interested, visit http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/opalist_listserv.cfm and provide a name and e-mail address.
[Source: NAUS Leg Up 13 SEP 02]

TFL & Military ID Card Update: Retirees who turn 65 are not required to obtain new ID cards. Only their dependents are. Retirees who have joined Medicare Part B to obtain TFL need not obtain a new card either. If they are concerned that Medicare has not sent their Part B status to DEERS and want to verify that their current DEERS status correctly reflects eligibility to avoid possible complications with medical care providers there are number of ways to do this.

*   Obtaining a new ID card automatically updates your DEERS status but does not necessarily guarantee that the computer input of your status was correctly entered by whoever did it. New ID card requests solely for this purpose are discouraged by DoD and should be done only as a last resort.

*   If you have received an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for a claim submitted under TFL that indicated the claim was paid then your status is correctly reflected in DEERS.

*   If you have access to a ID card issuing activity they can verify on their computer that your Part B status is correctly reflected in DEERS
without issuing a new ID card.

*   TFL beneficiaries who need to update or re-verify eligibility, or beneficiaries who have received an EOB stating that they need to update
their eligibility, should contact the nearest ID card facility for assistance. The Web site developed to help beneficiaries locate the three nearest ID card facilities is http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/ They also may call the DOD Benefits Reverification Telephone Center at 1-[800] 361-2620.

*   Beneficiaries can request verification from THEMS at Tricare_help@amedd.army.mil They have a computer read only capability of what is on file at DEERS. All you need provide is the beneficiary name and sponsor's SSAN. If the context of the request makes THEMS concerned about fraud or possible privacy issues they will decline to answer. Decision to provide info requested will be made on a case by case basis.
[Source: Various 17 SEP 02]

Concurrent Receipt DoD's Statistics: Statistics presented by defense undersecretary David Chu, alleging that the dollar-for-dollar forfeiture of
retired pay by military retirees awarded VA disability compensation poses no income hardship for disabled veterans, failed to give the whole story, according to sources. Chu inferred that household income averages didn't vary substantially between disabled and non-disabled retirees. However, not included in the 1996 survey he quoted were retirees with 100 percent disabilities and retirees with disability ratings so high that every dollar of their retired pay was forfeited. In short, the most seriously disabled, meaning those most likely to earn less in a civilian career, were simply not counted. Furthermore, the sample taken was so small (only 337 of 19,484) that it could be considered statistically insignificant. [Source: Armed Forces News Issue: Sept. 20, 2002]

Tricare Overseas Provider Certification Update: After much message traffic it appears two overseas issues concerning Tricare Standard & TFL overseas certification requirements reported in the last bulletin article should be corrected. Specifically, that it was applicable worldwide and that it was a new policy. After this information was published in the RAO Bulletin the TROA Deputy Director Government Relations for Health Affairs advised us the Tricare Management Activity [TMA] confirmed with their Operations Directorate that the information in the article regarding "worldwide" was not correct. It is applicable only in the Philippines and the provider certification measures are being taken to help deal with the substantial fraud taking place in that country.
    The TMA Public Affairs Specialist in Communications & Customer Service has clarified the issue. The certification requirement is not "new". Standing guidance provided to the overseas claims processor [i.e. WPS for the Pacific] in Chapter 12 of the TRICARE Policy manual, Section 12.1 paragraph f [3] is as follows: "The contractors are not (normally) required to certify TRICARE overseas providers as TRICARE-authorized providers. However, licensure/certification is required if the TRICARE Overseas providers' services/practices are questionable. "When TRICARE providers' licensure is questionable, it is reasonable to request the providers to verify their licensure through appropriate documentation." Thus, the certification requirement can be implemented in all overseas countries for specific providers or nationwide as deemed necessary. Claimants will receive an explanation of benefits (EOB) noting the amount paid on their claim or if it was denied the reason for the denial. Beneficiaries with questions about an EOB or a claim denial should contact their local TRICARE service center for additional information. Claimants with additional questions regarding claims procedures or certification requirements for the country in which they reside should contact their local TRICARE Service Center or THEMS.
    RAO Baguio is in total agreement with this requirement because of the high incidence of Tricare fraud & abuse in this country. Unfortunately the implementation of the new requirement was not announced in advance and has resulted in denied claims for many beneficiaries in the Philippines. We are seeking information from WPS on how the certification can be expedited plus clarification on numerous related issues. Results will be published in a future Bulletin articles when they respond to our questions which may take awhile. Telephone and snail mail are presently the only means to communicate with this government contractor. For this RAO and most Philippine Tricare users , telephone is cost prohibitive and normally unsuccessful from PI and snail mail takes excessive time and normally either does not specifically respond to a question or generates more questions. We have been advised that email to this contractor is not possible because Tricare contracts do not require it. Apparently, when President Clinton in March 1999 directed the Office of Management and Budget to issue a regulation, as part of the fiscal 1999 omnibus appropriations bill, that all government agencies must offer services electronically within 3 ½ years it was not applied to Tricare contracts. Coincidentally, September 2002 was the target date for this directive to be completed. [Updated: 9 SEP 02]

DFAS Pay Inquiries: Retirees and Annuitants can speak to Customer Service Representatives between the hours of 0700 to 1930 EST, M-F at DFAS Cleveland by phone at 1-800-321-1080. Retirees can fax their requests to 1-800-469-6559. Annuitants can fax their requests to 1-800-982-8459. When calling the Retired and Annuity Pay Contact Center you should have pencil and paper handy to write down information provided by the customer service representative. Callers should be prepared to provide their social security number or spouse's social security number in the case of Annuitants. Mondays and paydays (first business day of the month) are typically the busiest days of the week and month. Peak hours are between 1000 and 1400 p.m. EST. Callers have more success reaching DFAS during off-peak hours. Snail mail can be sent to: Defense Finance and Accounting Service, U.S. Military Retirement Pay or U.S. Military Annuitant Pay, P.O. Box 7130 (for retirees) 7131 (annuitants), London, KY 40742-7130 (for retirees) 7131 (annuitants)
    Retirees and Annuitants can also email their pay inquiries to DFAS. Logon on to http://www.dfas.mil and click on Contact DFAS. Scroll down the page to the appropriate title, i.e. Retired Pay or Annuitant Pay. Scroll down and click on Questions or comments. Select Military Retiree or Annuitant then fill out the data fields. After you have completed your inquiry, click Submit at the bottom of the page. All e-mail inquiries will be answered in five to seven business days.

New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal: New Jersey veterans of the Armed Forces of the U.S. who served in time of war or national emergency and meet the following criteria may apply for award of the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal. The application form can be downloaded from http://www.state.nj.us/military/veterans/awards/distinguished_service/ Criteria for receipt is:

*   Resident of New Jersey upon entry on active duty

*   Received a honorable discharge

*   Served in a combat theater or were officially listed as a prisoner of war or missing in action by the U.S. Department of Defense

Applications must be in writing accompanied by a copy of WD Form 53 or DD Form 214 (Separation from Active Duty) attesting to the fact that an Honorable Discharge was granted and you were a resident of New Jersey at the time of entry on active duty. Proof of service in a combat theater, POW, or MIA status is also required.

Posthumous Awards - Can be requested by siblings (i.e.: husband, wife, son, daughter, mother, father, brother, or sister) of a deceased Veteran of U.S. forces. Veteran must have met the following criteria:

*   resided in the State of New Jersey

*   been a resident of New Jersey upon entry on active duty

*   received an honorable discharge and have served in a combat theater or have been officially listed as a prisoner of war or missing in action by
the U.S. Department of Defense

Applications must be in writing. Enclosed should be a copy of service members WD Form 53 or DD Form 214 (Separation from Active Duty)
attesting to the fact that an Honorable Discharge was granted and that the service member was a resident of New Jersey at the time of entry on active duty. In addition, the request must include a copy of the veteran's death certificate and proof of relationship as father, mother, husband, wife, son, daughter, brother or sister. This proof may be copies of birth, marriage, baptismal certificates which clearly show relationship, or a notarized certificate.

Oak Leaf Cluster - Those recipients whose service was recognized by the award of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal or equivalent medal will receive a NJ Distinguished Service Medal with an oak leaf cluster. In order to be eligible for the award of the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, in addition to the requirements detailed above a service member must have received a military award of not less than the Air Medal.

In addition to the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal the state has authorized the award of the following for certain New Jersey veterans:
NJ Vietnam Service Medal - for service on or after 31 December 1960 and on or before 7 May 1975 in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia (or contiguous waters or air space); NJ Meritorious Service Medal for current residents of New Jersey for at least the past 5-years. Operation Recognition (High School Diploma) for NJ veterans who attended a New Jersey high school and left to join the military between the dates of:

*   16 September 1940-31 December 1946 (WWII)

*   23 June 1950-31 January 1955 (Korea)

*   31 December 1960-7 May 1975 (Vietnam War)

Mail All Requests To: The Adjutant General, NJ Dept Of Military And Veterans Affairs, ATTN: DVP-VBB (Medals), P.O. Box 340 Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0340. For additional Info Contact Tel: (609) 530-6980, FAX: (609) 530-6970 or Robert.Wimberly@njdmava.state.nj.us
[Source: James W. Harris, Sr., Vice Chairman, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey Retiree Council]

SHAD: Project SHAD, an acronym for Shipboard Hazard and Defense, was part of the joint service chemical and biological warfare test program conducted during the 1960s. Project SHAD encompassed tests designed to identify U.S. warships' vulnerabilities to attacks with chemical or biological warfare agents and to develop procedures to respond to such attacks while maintaining a war-fighting capability. Although classified, the Department of Defense has been actively pursuing declassification of relevant medical information. Veterans who believe they were involved in SHAD tests and desire medical evaluations should call the VA's Helpline at (800) 749-8387. SHAD fact sheets are available on line at http://deploymentlink.osd.mil/current_issues/shad/shad_tests.shtml
[Source: DoD NEWS RELEASE No. 419-02 dtd 13 AUG 02]

Tricare Overseas Traveler Claims: If you plan to do any traveling outside the U.S., you should seek treatment at any Military Treatment Facility
(MTF) in the area where your are traveling. If there are none such as the Philippines claims for any care received should be sent to:

*   If you live in an area where Tricare is in full operation, your claims for care received outside the country will go to the Tricare contractor for the area in which you live.

*   If you live in one of the remaining areas where Tricare has not been fully implemented, your claims for the overseas care should be mailed to the contractor for the area in which you received care.

Note: If traveling to the Philippines the requirement for all medical care providers being Tricare certified should be taken into consideration. Ensure whoever will provide your care, if not already certified, is willing to respond to the certification packet that Tricare will send the provider if not already certified when Tricare receives your claim. If they do not respond within 35 days your claim will be denied.
[Source: Tricare Standard Handbook SEP 97 pg. 93]

Retired Reserve: Service members collecting military pensions and benefits from active or reserve duty are placed in the Retired Reserve. This status includes:

*   Retired reservist eligible for retired pay called "gray-area reservist" who have not reached their 60th birthday and, thus, are not qualified to collect retirement pay.

*   Active duty enlisted retirees of the Army and air force who have completed 20 years, but less than 30, of combined active and inactive service. Once they reach 30 years of service they are fully retired.

*   Retired enlisted members of the Navy and Marine corps with 20 years, but not yet 30, of total service are part of the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Reserve. After reaching the 30 year mark, they can be put on the retired list or ask to be assigned to the Retired Reserve.

Within the Retired Reserve there are three mobilization categories, depending on physical fitness, age, and date of retirement. A retiree who is not yet 60 years old, or is disabled, will end up in Category 1 or 2. These members are eligible for call up in the event of national emergency or war. Which category they are assigned depends on their physical condition and how critical their skill is. Disabled vets and those over 60 are not free of possible call up. Although placed in Category 3, they are evaluated on a case-by-case basis for recall during a full mobilization.
[Source: Military times 2002 Handbook for the Guard & Reserve]

Note: !!!!!!!!!!!!   If you do not take personal action on the first two articles below regarding recent Tricare policy changes you may not be able to use your Tricare benefits as indicated.

Tricare Standard Overseas Policy Change: A new requirement has been levied on Tricare overseas claims processors that has a major impact on retirees and their dependent's ability to use Tricare Standard outside CONUS. Until recently beneficiaries permanently residing overseas have been able to utilize most any medical care provider, pay up front, and submit a claim to their Tricare contractor. Effective IMMEDIATELY, if Tricare has not already certified your provider regardless of the geographic area you reside in, you can expect your claim will be denied. You will not know it has been denied until months later after submitting your claim when you receive an EOB (Explanation of Benefits) showing a denied claim Code 123 which indicates your provider was not certified. In many cases they are not. Especially in the Philippines.
    Upon receipt of your claim indicating your use of an uncertified provider Tricare is supposed to mail that provider a certification packet to complete and return. You should not rely solely on this because local mail systems are often inadequate plus your provider may not understand the packet sent to it because many have never heard of Tricare or CHAMPUS and may not respond. To avoid a claim denial you need to confirm with your medical care provider that certification with Tricare has been accomplished. If not, your provider can write to P.O. Box 7977, Madison, WI 53707 and request a certification packet. Within 30 days of receipt your medical care providers will have to complete a form providing basic information on the services they provide and provide a copy of the their license and/or certificate of membership in the appropriate national professional organization. This information must be sent back to the same address. Failure of your provider to respond within the 30 days will result in denial of your Tricare claims. This applies to any claim you plan to submit for any services received from hospitals, clinics, laboratories, pharmacies, physicians, etc.
    Certification and claim payment should be able to be made retroactive if you resubmit a denied claim as long as the providers' license and credentials were current on the date of service, the care received was a TRICARE covered benefit, and your provider forwarded the certification
packet back to Tricare. There is no guarantee that once a provider has been certified it will remain certified. The TRICARE claims processor will pick providers randomly and review the expiration dates of licensure, credentials, etc. The perspective country's requirements will also be taken in consideration. The TRICARE Provider Certification Unit (TPCU) will send new packets to providers when they require updated information or receive claims from new providers. A provider may expedite claims processing if he/she forwards the information each time an update or a change occurs related to their license to operate or ability to provide services.
    For beneficiaries residing in WESPAC an incomplete listing of already certified institutional and noninstitutional medical care providers can be found at: http://tricare-pac.tamc.amedd.mil  Click on the large oval circle and you will find the provider listing under "What's New". Recommend you check this listing now to verify if you have to get your private physician or other medical care providers of choice certified prior to the need to submit any Tricare claims.
[ Source: Chris Fetz, WESTPAC Service Center Manager msg dtd 12 AUG 02 chris.fetz@haw.tamc.amedd.army.mil ]

Tricare For Life And Identification Cards: Questions continue to arise regarding the need to reissue military ID Cards since TRICARE For Life is a lifetime entitlement. The TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) has launched a campaign to ensure eligible TFL beneficiaries are aware of the DEERS enrollment requirement, are enrolled with the appropriate Medicare coverage information and have a current military ID Card reflecting their TRICARE coverage after age 65. The following is applicable to you and /or your dependents:

*   MILITARY SPONSORS: Get a new ID Card if the backside of your UNITED STATES UNIFORMED SERVICES RETIRED CARD (DD FORM 2 (RETIRED) reflects "No" Civilian Medical Care Authorized after a specified date and you have Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. This is a change from formerly TFL published information.

*   FAMILY MEMBERS holding the UNIFORMED SERVICES IDENTIFICATION AND PRIVILEGE CARD (DD FORM 1173) must be updated on the person's 65th birthday. Be sure to take your Medicare Card reflecting Part A and B coverage with you when applying. DD Form 1173 renewal is required even if it is earlier than the normal four-year expiration date of the current card.

   The basis for the reissue of ID Cards was explained in a 16 August 2002, TRICARE Management Activity message that states, " ...achieving the age of 65 and becoming eligible for Medicare is a significant event that can disrupt TRICARE benefits. Therefore, it is extremely important that a beneficiary's relationship to their sponsor be current and verified in DEERS in order to determine eligibility for benefits. Additionally, other personal information must be up-to-date to include resident address, mailing address etc. This is also a mechanism for verifying that the
beneficiary has purchased Medicare Part B. Medicare Part B is required for TRICARE For Life eligibility.
[Source: NAUS Leg Up Newsletter 23 AUG 02]

SS & Overseas Travel: Most of the time you can get your SS even when you're outside the United States for 30 days or more if you're thinking about visiting or moving abroad. However, it depends on where you are going and whether you're a U.S. citizen. Normally you cannot receive Supplemental Security Income benefits while you are outside the United States. To verify your personal situation about getting benefit check while you're outside the United States call up http://www.ssa.gov/international/your_ss.html

VA Registers: If you believe you were exposed to any type of radiation, Agent Orange, or conditions leading to Gulf Syndrome while in service you should be registered on the appropriate VA Registry. [Note: SHAD does not have a Registry at this time]. To do so go to your nearest VA Medical System Facility and request your name be added if not already on it. You do not have to have a VA C-Number to do this. If you are already enrolled at the facility as a patient verify you are on the register. In order to obtain treatment under the Public Laws of "presumptives" you must be on the register. The Office which handles this process varies with each Facility but every VA Medical Facility has a Registry Coordinator [RC]. Every facility should also have a VA Med Facility Representative Program. To find out who the representative is for your local Facility contact the Facility Volunteer Services. This is a VA authorized position of appointment. This representative can assist you to be placed on the appropriate register as they are familiar with the persons involved. The Facility should then set you up for a Physical and assign you to a Primary Care Person [PC]. The PC, during your first appointment, will then decide referrals to Specialty Clinics for treatment under the Public Laws governing same. For each treatment visit the attending medical person treating you will fill out a form. Before you leave that person, ask them to show you that they have checked the appropriate 'box' to indicate that visit is service connected in order that you not be charged for the visit.
    If you have trouble locating the RC for the Ionizing Radiation Register [IRR] the NAAV will assist you. Send the name of whoever advised
you there was no program or RC at the facility and the VA Facility concerned to National Association of Atomic Veterans Hq P.O. Box 2558,
Ventnor NJ 08406-0558 Tel: [800] 784-6228 and they will ensure that your VA facility is brought up to speed on the IRR. For more info on IRR Go to http://www.va.gov/IRAD [Source: e-Nuclear Veterans News 20 AUG 02]

Transitional Health Care: Family members of certain service members separating from active duty are eligible for up to 120 days of TRICARE
health care benefits. The DoD Worldwide TRICARE Transitional Health Care Demonstration Project is retroactive to Jan. 1 and in effect for two years. It applies to families of:

*   Active duty service members involuntarily separated under honorable conditions.

*   Reserve component members separated after serving on active duty for more than 30 days in support of contingency operations.

*   A service member separated from active duty after involuntary retention on active duty in support of a contingency operation.

*   A separated service member who voluntarily remained on active duty for one year or less in support of a contingency operation.

    Eligible families may use TRICARE Prime, the least costly option for most people; TRICARE Standard, the fee-for- service option with deductibles and cost shares; or TRICARE Extra, the network option with deductibles and negotiated fees. Eligible families receive 60 days of transitional coverage if sponsors served less than six years on active duty and 120 days if sponsors served six or more. Transitional benefits are not automatic. Sponsors and family members must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. Active duty sponsors may verify or update DEERS information by contacting or visiting the local facility that issues military identification cards. A facility locator can be found at http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl [Source: American Forces Press Service Aug. 19, 2002]

VA Independent Living Program: The VA is authorized to provide programs of independent living services and assistance for veterans who have a serious employment handicap resulting in substantial part from a service-connected disability under specific circumstances. The objective of this program is to enable veterans to achieve maximum independence in daily living. The programs are administered either under contracts or through facilities of the Veterans Health Administration under regulations that the Secretary has prescribed and can be initiated for no more than five hundred veterans in each fiscal year. These facilities must possess a demonstrated capability to conduct the programs. This service is legally available only in the U.S. Termination notices have been sent to about 200 veterans in the Philippines who were receiving this service while awaiting verification of the "U.S. only" policy . [ Source: Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Office Manila vreppend@vba.va.gov ]

Annuitant Pay Correspondence: Effective immediately: Annuitant pay correspondence should be sent to the below address. This changes affect
snail mail ONLY. All phone and FAX numbers and email addresses at Cleveland remain the same:

Defense Finance and Accounting Service
U.S. Military Annuity Pay
P.O. Box 7131
London, KY 40742-7131

Unclaimed Pensions/Refunds: Experts estimate that as many as 5% of Americans who are due pension benefits are not receiving them. These are people who got new jobs, moved or remarried and changed their names, never bothering to notify former employers of their whereabouts. The bottom line is that millions of dollars of retirement checks are going unclaimed. To see if you may be entitled check out http://www.kantrowitz.com This website will also lead you to other government cites for refunds. HUD and SSA also have websites for locating unclaimed checks at http://www.hud.gov and http://www.ssa.gov Workers might not realize that they were accruing benefits because they worked for a small employer who didn't do a good job of communicating plan benefits or they may have lost track of an employer that was purchased or merged into another company. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. at http://www.pbgc.gov operates an online search tool for lost pensioners whose plans were taken over by regulators because the company filed for bankruptcy protection or dissolved its plan. In 1984 a law was passed to protect spousal rights under pension law. Surviving spouses of individuals who earned a pension after that point also could be due benefits.

     Today, most plans require five years of employment to become vested in, or fully entitled to, a company pension. However, before the mid-1980s, it typically took 10 years; and before the Employee Retirement Income Security Act was passed in 1975, many companies provided pensions only if you worked for them until you retired. Thus, the older the work history, the less likely you are to have a vested pension. If you're certain you're owed a pension, but you can't find the company or can't persuade the benefit's representatives to help you, contact a pension-counseling project. There are 10 such projects nationwide. In California, the Pension Rights Project is in San Francisco and can be reached toll-free at (800) 474-1116. [Source: RSO Fort Douglas UT Newsletter Aug 02]

School Physicals: Under the 2001 National Defense Authorization Act, TRICARE will cover physical examinations required for school enrollment. The new benefit applies to all TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries ages 5 through 11. It does not cover sports physicals. The effective date for the benefit was Oct. 30, 2000. To file a claim for this reimbursement, they should attach the receipt and related paperwork to a claim form and send it to their regional managed care support contractor.
     TRICARE regards school physicals as preventive services. TRICARE Prime enrollees will not have co-payments or need referrals or authorizations from their primary care managers unless they go to a non-network provider. TRICARE Standard and Extra beneficiaries do not have to get referrals, but they will have to pay applicable cost shares and deductibles for the school physicals. Beneficiaries may download claim forms from the TRICARE Web site at http://www.tricare.osd.mil/claims/default.htm or may contact a local TRICARE Service Center. A Worldwide TRICARE Service Center directory is available online at http://www.tricare.osd.mil/tricareservicecenters/default.cfm
[Source: TRICARE News Release No. 02-21 at http://www.tricare.osd.mil ]

Class Action Lawsuit [Day] Update 4: As of 5 August 2002, The Washington, DC Federal Appeals Court has not released its ruling on the Class Act lawsuit filed by Medal of Honor recipient Colonel George "Bud" Day, US Air Force (Retired). Colonel Day is the attorney for the lawsuit filed for the plaintiffs Robert Reinlie and Sam Schism to restore broken health care promises to WWII/Korea military retirees. The CAG has indicated that given a general average of 6 to 7 months for this court to report an "en banc" decision, September 2002 is the probable month to receive the Class Act lawsuit decision. Currently, over 20,000 military retirees have joined the CAG lawsuit that is seeking to restore free health care for retirees 65 and older and their dependents. It also requests reimbursement of money (Maximum of $10,000) that has been withheld from Social Security pay over the years to finance Medicare Part B, as well as gaining relief from future Medicare deductions.|
     The lawsuit was first filed in 1996 and has passed through several court hearings. The latest decision was in February 2001 where a three panel decision by the Washington, DC Federal Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the CAG. The US Government appealed and requested a hearing before the full 12-member (en banc) court, which was held before an overflow courtroom on 6 March 2002. During his presentation Colonel Day made a strong case unrebutted by the Dept. of Justice (DoJ) and the DoD team of lawyers, that the health care promise was made and broken. Under tough questioning by the Court, the DoJ/DoD team attempted to use the Anti-deficiency Act as a defense. The Anti-deficiency Act provides that no government official can obligate the expenditure of funds unless otherwise appropriated by the Congress. The Court asked the DoJ/DoD team how about the number of cases the government has prosecuted under the Act, to which the team admitted it knew of none.
     The CAG lawsuit is open to military retirees and widows/widowers who may file on behalf of a deceased spouse who meet the following criteria:

*   Voluntarily retired with credit for 20 or more years of active duty;
*   Entered on active duty before December 7, 1956;
*   Be age 65 or older, currently paying for Medicare Insurance Part B or have paid for it in the past.

For more information call toll free 1-800-972-6275, go to the web site http://www.classact-lawsuit.com email Class Act at  lawsuit@classact-lawsuit.com or write Class Act Group, 32 Beal Parkway SW., Ft Walton Beach, FL 32548-5391 [NAUS Leg UP 8 AUG 02]

THEMS: The TRICARE Help E-mail Service [THEMS] is where to go for quick answers to TRICARE questions. Clinical issues should be referred to your primary care provider. It is operated by the US Army Medical Command in San Antonio, Texas. Their e-mail address is
Tricare_help@amedd.army.mil There is also a THEMS newsletter available online at ftp://thems:newsletter@139.232.17.15/

Fisher House Caring Bridge: Families of patients at any military medical center or hospital can now receive up-to-the-minute reports on a loved one through their own customized Web pages. The Fisher House Foundation has contracted with "CaringBridge," an easy-to-use Internet service that enables users to make virtual visits to patients undergoing medical treatment. The service allows patients and their families to communicate by establishing personal Web pages, complete with journals, photos and password protection, While the service is primarily for families staying at a Fisher House it is available to any service member, active or retired, at any military health facility. This service allows patients and their families to better manage the sometimes overwhelming amount of communication necessary to satisfy the concerns of family and friends by giving them a free and private place on the Web to post updates on their condition and receive messages of hope and encouragement. Use http://www.fisherhouse.org to enter the CaringBridge site or to obtain info on the Fisher House organization. Contact information for CaringBridge to mail or phone is: CaringBridge Nonprofit Organization, 4607 Beacon Hill, Suite 200, Eagan, MN 55122-2702 Tel: [651] 452-7940 or [509] 351-5126 (fax) or Email: info@caringbridge.com [Source: American Forces Press Service 9 AUG 02]

Identity Theft Victim Action: If you become a victim of identity theft, there are ways to recover your good credit rating. First, report the identity theft to Social Security’s Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. Then, report it to the Federal Trade Commission’s ID Theft Hotline, 1-877-IDTHEFT. You also should contact the three major credit bureaus, tell them you’re an identity theft victim and ask them to place a fraud alert on your records. The credit bureaus are:

*   Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 or http://www.equifax.com

*   Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289 or http://www.tuc.com

*   Experian: 1-888-397-3742 or http://www.experian.com

Also, write your creditors and ask them to contact you before opening any new accounts in your name or changing existing accounts or credit
limits. For more information on identity theft, visit the Social Security identity theft page at http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/idtheft.htm  It is important
to be aware of the threat of identity theft. For example, some Courts are considering or may have put recorded documents on line to make them
accessible through the Internet. This could provide crooks and as well as others unlimited and uncontrolled access to recorded documents to steal another person’s identity. [Source: NAUS Leg Up for July 26, 2002]

Chronic Pain: As many as one in five Americans suffer from chronic pain. It can stem from a disease such as cancer or arthritis or may result
from an infection or serious injury. In some cases chronic pain persists long after the original cause is resolved. Chronic pain is itself a disorder of the nervous system. Often referred to as neuropathic pain, it produces abnormal changes in the brain and spinal cord. Over time it rewires the nervous system to become hypersensitive to the point where even mild pressure can cause pain. Unlike acute pain, which warns of a problem in the body, this type of chronic pain serves no useful purpose -- only agony.
     In 1999 the VA health care system took aggressive steps to help sufferers of chronic pain. VA recognizes pain as the "fifth vital sign", along with pulse, temperature, respiration and blood pressure. Increased efforts to treat chronic pain were made through programs such as the Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program at Tampa VAMC and the chronic Pain Management Program in Long Beach Ca. At these and other clinics throughout the VA system, specialists in chronic pain use a multidisciplinary approach. Treatment may include individualized combinations of exercise, relaxation techniques, psychotherapy, electrical stimulation, and medications. Narcotics are usually avoided because of their undesirable side effects. Surgery is a last resort, but in some cases it may be recommended. Pain clinic teams also address issues such as depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, sexual disorder, and disability. The key to improvement is a comprehensive treatment program.
[Source: American Legion JUN 02 Magazine]

VA Agent Orange Claims Retroactive: A federal appeals court in San Francisco has ruled that Vietnam vets who contacted prostrate cancer and
diabetes related to Agent Orange exposure should receive retroactive disability benefits dated to the time they first filed a claim with the VA. The ruling of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals sets a legal precedent that could extend to a wide range of illnesses associated with herbicides. The appeals court decision let stand a lower court ruling that held the VA incorrectly interpreted regulations to deny retroactive payments to vets who filed claims after early 1994.
     A DEC 1999 U.S. District Court ruling held that all Vietnam veteran prostrate cancer claimants and their survivors are entitled to retroactive benefits to the date of their first filing of their claim for service connection or survivor’s benefits (as long as the prostrate claim was not final before 25 SEP 1985). Also upheld by the appeals court was a provision in a 2000 ruling by U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson, ordering the VA to provide retroactive payments to the estates of veterans who died before the VA paid the money they were owed. In addition to the prostrate cancer, the appeals ruling also affects veterans who filed for adult-onset, or Type 2, diabetes which was added to the list in 2000. The VA still has the right to further appeal this decision. [Source: DAV Magazine May/JUN 2002]

Pharmacy Discount: The American Veterans [AMVET] organization provides a free prescription discount card to its members. The card entitles members up to a 40% discount for all family member’s prescription drugs at participating pharmacies. Most national chain pharmacies will honor this card. You can call [888]-868-5854 to confirm if your local pharmacy will also honor it. The service is offered through MemberHealth, Inc. (MHI) who administers the operation of packaged health benefit discount programs. To determine the average price of a drug you can check their product guide at http://www.mhrx.com by either brand or generic name to determine if their price is cheaper than you are currently paying. The saving for the medications listed are as printed, but there is no guaranteed percentage savings on every prescription purchase. The price you pay depends on the participating pharmacy and the type of drug you require. It is possible that the medication you require is already priced by your pharmacy at a very competitive price. If that is the case MHI cannot discount an existing low or promotional price. If you are not currently receiving medications through Tricare or the VA this may be a way to save a few dollars. This article should not be considered an endorsement of this program, but only informational in nature. There may be other drug discount programs of this type available to vets that the RAO is not aware of so you may want to shop around.
[Source: Amvets Post 96 n_s_o@37.com & http://www.mhrx.com]

E-mail Preference Service: If you want to reduce the number of unsolicited commercial emails you receive check out Direct Marketing Associations (DMA) E-mail Preference Service (e-MPS) at http://www.dmaconsumers.org   Here you can complete an e-MPS registration form online to be deleted from national commercial e-mail lists. Upon receipt, the DMA will distribute your request to companies subscribing to e-MPS. Companies subscribe to reduce their advertising cost in transmitting to potential customers who are not going to respond. All DMA members who wish to send unsolicited commercial e-mail must purge their e-mail lists of the individuals who have registered their e-mail address with e-MPS. The service is also available to non-members so that all marketers may take advantage of this service to eliminate the names of those who do not want unsolicited commercial e-mail. E-mail of a business-to-business nature received at your place of employment is not affected through registration with e-MPS. The DMA does not provide marketers with consumer e-mail lists.
[Source: Joe Kleinsmith, VFW Post 1716 - Freedom CA]

Long-Term Care Open Season: Military members, federal employees, and their spouses, have a six-month window starting 1 July to take advantage of a streamlined application process for the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program. Federal personnel officials estimate that 20 million people may be eligible to enroll. The John Hancock and MetLife insurance companies offer the insurance through a contract with the Office of Personnel Management. Long-term care insurance helps people with chronic health conditions to pay for care givers and services that help them do such things as get out of bed, wash, dress, eat, go to the toilet, and other activities that the ill and frail find difficult. Long-term care may be provided at home, in a nursing home or in an assisted-living facility. Long-term care is not medical care and usually isn't covered by medical insurance plans. Likewise, the long-term insurance program does not cover medical care expenses or medicines.
    During the program's first "open season," from July 1 through Dec. 31, eligible military members, federal civilians, and their spouses need to answer a few health questions as part of the streamlined underwriting process. Underwriting is key: It determines an applicant's level of risk,
eligibility to participate, premiums and benefits. On the other hand, because premiums for long-term care insurance are based upon age and state of health, all federal civilian and military retirees must undergo full underwriting, which involves answering more health-related questions and providing more information. The Long-Term Care Partners http://www.opm.gov/insure/ltc    Web site http://www.ltcfeds.com has open season information kits and application instructions. There may be additional FLTCI Open Season enrollment windows, but none are scheduled or promised at this time. Procedures and rules could change for future open seasons. To consult with a certified long-term care insurance specialist by phone call 1-800-LTC-FEDS (1-800-582-3337) or TDD 1-800-843-3557. This service is available 8 A.M. - Midnight EST 7 Days a Week.
[Source: American Forces Press Service 1 JUL 02]

MEDICARE Part B Payment Assistance: More than 16 million people with low incomes who may need help paying their Medicare Part B (medical insurance) premiums and other medical costs can expect a letter in the mail telling them how to qualify for the Medicare Savings Programs. People with income and assets below certain limits can save as much as $600 a year as explained in the letter to be sent jointly by Social Security and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The letter gives the phone numbers of the state agencies people can contact to see if they qualify. The mailings are staggered, and will be completed by December 21, 2002. For more information about the Medicare Savings Programs, visit the Medicare site http://www.cms.hhs.gov [Source: NAUS Update for 21 June 2002]

Air Traveler Rights if Bumped: Although the number of involuntary bumpings (when someone is forced against their will to miss a flight because it is overbooked) is down slightly, it still happens with regularity. If you do not want to get bumped here are some helpful hints:

* Make sure to get a seat assignment when you purchase your ticket.

* Check in early, at least no later than the time specified by the airline. Airlines don't owe you anything if you fail to comply with their
check-in times.

* Board the airplane when your row is called.

   Airlines must ask for volunteers before they involuntarily bump someone, so make sure the flight attendants have asked for volunteers before you give up your seat. If you are bumped involuntarily you are owed nothing if your new flight gets you to your original destination less than one hour from the original scheduled arrival time. For destination arrival time delays of 1 to 2 hours on domestic flights (1 to 4 on international), you're owed the face value of the ticket for that segment of the flight from which you were bumped, or $200 whichever is less. For longer delays, you're owed double the one-way fare or $400, whichever is greater. [Source: TROA Member Services Update for June 02]

Space-A On Medevac Planes: Banned since November 2001, Space Available travel aboard C-9 medical evacuation aircraft has been re-authorized. Due to post-Sept. 11 concerns, Space-A flights aboard medical evacuation planes marked with a Red Cross had been restricted. According to the Geneva Convention, only patients and other specified noncombatants can fly in aircraft marked with the Red Cross insignia. To gain more versatility in aircraft use, the Air Force removed the red crosses from the tails of all but one of its C-9 fleet, allowing the aircraft to be used as general-purpose transports. Any C-9 without the Red Cross can still be designated as a medical flight and receive the protection afforded by the Geneva Convention. The Air Force routinely flies C-9s from Germany, Spain, Italy, Sicily, Crete and England. For more information visit https://amcpublic.scott.af.mil/SPACEA/spacea.htm  [Source: Armed Forces News Issue: Fri, June 14, 2002]