This Bulletin Update Contains the Following Articles:
· CRSC Update 19
· DoD Policy on Retiree/Reserve Benefits
· Medicare Part B Open Enrollment
· Tricare Pacific
· Prescription Filling Options
· Commissary Update 02 (Variable Pricing)
· Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon Update
· VA Gravesite Locator
· Tricare: Pharmacy New Rates
· Body Shipment (Inter-Country)
· Reserves Waiver of VA Comp
· DoD Policy on Retiree/Reserve Benefits
· Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (SDVI)
· Vaccination Booklet
· Tricare Vision Benefits
CRSC UPDATE 19: On 27 April DoD issued the long-awaited new rules for
processing of Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) applications
including clarification of Special Monthly Compensation and Individual
Unemployability. Effective 1 JAN 04, this instruction replaces the
guidance introduced last year. The major change is expansion of
eligibility to include all combat-related disabilities. Previously, only
disabilities rated at 60% or higher or disabilities associated with a
Purple Heart could qualify. Also as a result of the new legislation, CRSC
payments will include compensation for dependents, as applicable. The new
guidance addresses two previously unresolved issues-namely, Special Monthly
Compensation (SMC) and compensation for Individual Unemployability (IU).
Both issues will be assessed after the Services have determined which of
the applicant's disabilities are deemed combat-related.
· In the case of SMC, the Services will have to resolve whether any
of the combat-related disabilities constitute the grounds for the SMC
award. To make these determinations, the CRSC processing branches will be
assisted by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA will provide
descriptions of SMC criteria and will provide counsel in unusual situations.
· Individual Unemployability determinations will be based on the
retiree's overall combat-related disability percentage. If the Services
award CRSC at 60 percent or greater, and the applicant also has been
determined by the VA to be unemployable, then CRSC will be paid at the 100
percent rate, retroactive to January 1, 2004, as applicable.
Retirees eligible under both concurrent receipt and CRSC criteria will have
to choose between the two forms of compensation. Recipients will have the
option of changing their election on a yearly basis, so as to choose the
more advantageous option, as concurrent receipt payment amounts will
increase each year for the next 9 years and is taxable whereas CRSC is not.
Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) is in the process of
developing this election system. Applicants also have the option of
authorizing DFAS to automatically pay whichever amount is higher. Guidance
application form can be downloaded at
CR activists have worked hard to develop a common contractor database and
an on-line application for the next generation CRSC, but the Services
decided to go their own separate ways. Activists are doing their best to
encourage the Services to have monthly cross-tell meetings; however,
software interface problems between DFAS and the VA who maintain separate
independent contractors are anticipated. Five different contractors are
involved. With more than 150,000 applicants, the interface inefficiencies
between the Services, DFAS and VA means disabled veterans and taxpayers
will bear the burden. Of special concern are:
· The VA still has not considered a common information technology
system for data sharing with the Services and DFAS.
· An interagency group that includes the Under Secretary of Defense
for Personnel and his VA counterpart meets quarterly. However, the group
has yet to discuss the unresolved CRSC and CRDP processing issues between
the Services, DFAS and VA.
· The Services, DFAS and the VA are locked into a tedious and
detailed processing problem without the benefit of a centralized processing
system.
CRSC activists expect processing problems to persist and inconsistencies to
exacerbate as the Services, the VA and DFAS develop their own proprietary
software systems without an integration contractor to handle future
applications, projected as 150,000 or more. The next phase of CRSC is
expected to start very slowly, except for the Army contractor team, because
of the transition to the new CRSC program and a myriad of problems,
including service support funding, systems integration, contracting, and a
large group of new applicants. Therefore, CRSC applicants should use this
time to submit a fully documented application that does not require Service
coordination with the VA, which will help greatly in the speedy processing
of a successful claim. [Source: NAUS Update & MOAA Leg Up dtd 30 APR 04]
DOD POLICY ON RETIREE/RESERVE BENEFITS: On 4 MAR 04, Charles S. Abell,
principal defense deputy for personnel and readiness, told a congressional
panel, "it is possible to create a force that is too expensive for the
nation. Especially when it comes to programs that are essentially deferred
compensation, or where the benefits accrued only to those who no longer
serve." Testifying before the Total Force Subcommittee of the House Armed
Services Committee, he said the Bush administration supported hikes in
basic pay and housing allowances for active duty forces, but it opposes
raises in entitlements, especially for retirees, their survivors, drilling
reservists and their families. His hit list:
· Phase-out of the SBP annuity cut faced by widows at age 62;
· Full concurrent receipt for all retirees;
· Military health care for all drilling reservists and their families;
· Lowering the full Reserve retirement age from 60 to 55.
[Source: Armed Forces News Issue 01 Apr 04]
(Note: Veterans who disagree with the policy regarding drilling reservists,
retirees, and survivors can so indicate at the polls next November)
MEDICARE PART B OPEN ENROLLMENT: One of the provisions of the Medicare
Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 allows
uniformed services beneficiaries who would be eligible for TRICARE For Life
(TFL) but are not enrolled in Medicare Part B to enroll without penalty
during an open enrollment period through 31 DEC 04. An open enrollment
letter will be sent to those Medicare-eligible beneficiaries who don't
currently have Medicare Part B and are eligible for the open
enrollment. These are:
· Medicare-eligible retirees, including retired National Guard and
reservists
· Eligible qualifying family members and survivors
· Certain former spouses if they were eligible for TRICARE before age
65, and who have not remarried and do not have employer-sponsored other
health insurance.
· Dual-eligible beneficiaries under the age of 65 who are entitled to
Medicare Part A because of a disability or because of end-stage renal
disease
TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) is working with the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) to
send uniformed services beneficiaries targeted information on Medicare Part
B open enrollment. There will be an automatic enrollment by mail for
eligible beneficiaries. Upon receipt of the enrollment letter from SSA,
Medicare-eligible beneficiaries will be given the opportunity to choose any
month in 2004 for their Medicare Part B enrollment. They also will be given
the option to refuse Medicare Part B, or if they currently have other
health insurance, they will have the option to wait until a special
enrollment period to enroll.
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003
also includes a provision for beneficiaries who enrolled in Medicare Part B
between JAN 01 and DEC 04 and are subject to a penalty for late enrollment.
Beginning January 2004, these beneficiaries will have the penalty waived.
Beneficiaries who enrolled in Medicare Part B in 2004 and have paid a
premium surcharge will be eligible for a rebate. TRICARE Management
Activity is working with the CMS and SSA to send a mailing to individuals
who enrolled in Medicare Part B between JAN 01 and DEC 04 to notify them of
the penalty waiver. For the latest updates, check the Medicare Web site at
TRICARE PACIFIC: Over the next several months the administration of the
Pacific TRICARE Program will move from Hawaii to their new offices in
Okinawa located on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Hospital in Okinawa. The
Tricare Pacific Lead agent web pages have been discontinued in anticipation
of upcoming administrative changes under the next generation of TRICARE
programs. Beneficiaries in the Philippines should note that the listing of
authorized providers in the Philippines is now available on
other Tricare Pacific related information including a link for downloading
the DD Form 2642 NOV 96 (EG) Tricare Claim Form and access to the 7/24
Health Care Information Line (HCIL). [Source: TRICARE Pacific Lead Agency
msg dtd 1 APR 04]
PRESCRIPTION FILLING OPTIONS: There is little you can do to cut costs at
the pharmacy. Luckily, if you're an active-duty service member, active-duty
family member, retiree, or other eligible participant, you can get your
prescriptions filled at a very reasonable cost or in many cases free
depending on how you proceed. Regardless of which choice you make to fill
prescription you will need the original prescription slip and your updated
Defense Enrollment Eligibility System (DEERS) information. You can update
or a retail pharmacy, you will also need your military identification
card. The following options to fill prescription are available to you.
Military Treatment Facilities - Your first choice, and your best option, is
your regional military treatment facility (MTF) pharmacy. You can locate
drugs are cost free. MTF pharmacies guarantee to stock all medications that
are listed in the Basic Core Formulary (BCF) which is the official
must-have list for military facilities.
Retail Pharmacies - Your quickest option is a retail pharmacy. This is the
recommended method to obtain antibiotics and other "I need it today"
medications. Retail pharmacies are either "network" or "non-network"
pharmacies. Make sure you ask whether or not the pharmacy you have chosen
is in the network or not prior to submitting your prescription. That way,
there will be no surprises. Some of the big chains are not TRICARE
pharmacies. However, many grocery store chains and most of the chain marts
are in the network. At a network pharmacy, TRICARE recipients pay $3 for a
generic prescription and $9 for a brand-name drug with no deductible. If
you use a non-network pharmacy, the cost share is $9 or 20 percent of the
total cost, whichever is higher, and you have to meet your $150 annual
deductible first. Prime enrollees have a point-of-service cost share
penalty of 50 percent and a deductible ($300 per person, $600 per
family). To find a retail pharmacy near you check the list at Retail
can also call toll-free (887) 363-6337 inside the United States, M-F
0700-2300, Sat 0900-2000, and Sun 0010-1730. California residents should
call toll-free (800) 334-4162.
TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy - Last, is the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy at
maintenance-type medications, such as those for high blood pressure, heart
conditions, diabetes, cholesterol, and so on. With TMOP, you can order up
to a 90-day supply of your medication for the same copayment as a 30-day
supply at a retail pharmacy. That's a 66% savings for you. The TRICARE
information on how to use this option if needed. [Source: Navy Lifelines
COMMISSARY UPDATE 02: The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) has announced
that DoD will not adopt variable pricing in commissaries. Variable pricing
was initially proposed as a way for DoD to make a profit allowing defense
officials to reduce the one billion dollars of taxpayer dollars needed
annually to run the commissaries. The decision to scrap the plan came after
the release of an independent study group that confirmed that variable
pricing is not a feasible means to reduce taxpayers' cost. The plan was
opposed by a number of fraternal military organizations on the basis that
it would not have benefited patrons. [Source: NAUS Update for 30 APR 04]
TFL CLAIMS PROCESSING TRANSITION: All beneficiaries eligible for TRICARE
For Life (TFL), including those under age 65 and dual-eligible for TRICARE
and Medicare, will soon receive a letter from the new TRICARE For Life
claims processor Wisconsin Physicians Service (WPS) regarding claims
processing. The new Tricare contract integrates the services previously
provided by each of the regional managed care support contractors,
providing a single source for claims processing, customer service and
administrative claims services. The outgoing regional claims processor will
continue to process claims for services beneficiaries receive until WPS TFL
is implemented in the beneficiary's state. The WPS TFL phase in schedule is:
Region 11: June 1, 2004
Regions 2/5: June 1, 2004
Regions 9/10/12: July 1, 2004
Regions 3/4: August 1, 2004
Region 1: September 1, 2004
Regions 7/8 (Central): October 1, 2004
Region 6: November 1, 2004
Because the Medicare program is administered on a state-by-state basis, WPS
TFL will be implemented by state. In cases when parts of a state are
included under two separate regions, WPS TFL will be implemented when the
largest part of a state is scheduled for implementation. A list of states'
under age 65 information should got
MOAA Leg Up 30 APR 04]
AIR FORCE EXPEDITIONARY SERVICE RIBBON UPDATE: The Air Force has approved
the addition of a gold border to the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
to signify satisfactory participation in combat operations. Airmen meeting
the established criteria for award of the basic ribbon, 45 consecutive days
or 90 nonconsecutive days in a designated combat zone, will qualify for the
gold border signifying participation in combat operations. In addition to
the criteria for time in the area of responsibility, airmen who are wounded
or die while serving in the AOR, and those who participate in mobility
operations into the AOR and who launch weapons into the area will qualify
for the device. This includes air mobility and bomber aircrews flying
missions outside the area, as well as airmen involved in space operations
and remotely piloted vehicle operations that produce weapons effects in the
area. [Source: Armed Forces News dtd 23 APR 04]
VA GRAVESITE LOCATOR : Records showing where veterans and their spouses
have been buried in Department of Veterans Affairs national cemeteries are
Internet access to search for the gravesite locations of deceased family
members and friends The nationwide grave locator contains more than three
million records of veterans and dependents buried in VA's 120 cemeteries
since the Civil War. It also has records of some burials in state veterans'
cemeteries and burials in Arlington National Cemetery from 1999 to the
present. The records date to the establishment of the first national
cemeteries during the Civil War. The Web site is updated nightly with
information on burials the previous day. The site displays the same
information that visitors to national cemeteries find on kiosks or in
written ledgers to locate gravesites: name, dates of birth and death,
period of military service, branch of service and rank if known, the
cemetery's location and phone number, plus the grave's precise location in
the cemetery. Refer to the home page Burial and Memorial Benefits to
select the Nationwide Gravesite Locator to begin a search. State cemetery
burial records are from those cemeteries that use VA's database to order
government headstones and markers for veterans' graves. Since 1999,
Arlington National Cemetery, operated by the Department of Army, has used
that database. The information in the database comes from records of
interment, which before 1994 were paper records, kept at each cemetery.
VA's interment records contain more information than what is shown on the
Internet and cemetery kiosks. Some information, such as identification of
the next of kin, will not be shown to the public for privacy reasons.
Immediate family members with a government identification card may request
to see the full record of a burial when they visit a national
cemetery. Six cemeteries which have not yet completed their records for
inclusion in the data base are Long Island, Los Angeles, Ft. Rosecrans,
Golden Gate, San Francisco, and the National Memorial Cemetery of the
Pacific. [Source: VA News Release No. 04-19-04 & AF News dtd 23 APR 04]
TRICARE PHARMACY NEW RATES: Tricare Uniform Formulary Final Rule Published
The Tricare Uniform Formulary final rule was published April 1, 2004.
Effective May 3, the rule will allocate prescription drugs to one of three
cost-share tiers: generic; formulary (brand-name); or non-formulary.
Beneficiaries who use the Tricare Mail Order Pharmacy will pay $3 for up to
a 90-day prescription of a generic medication, $9 for up to a 90-day supply
of a brand-name medication, and $22 for up to a 90-day supply of a
non-formulary drug. Beneficiaries using a retail network pharmacy will pay
$3 for up to a 30-day prescription of a generic medication, $9 for a 30-day
supply of a brand-name formulary drug, and $22 for up to a 30-day supply of
a non-formulary medication. Under the Tricare Uniform Formulary final rule
beneficiaries filling prescriptions for up to a 30-day supply at
non-network pharmacies will pay either $9 or 20 percent of the cost of the
prescription, whichever amount is greater, for both generic and brand-name
formulary medications. They will pay $22 or 20 percent, whichever is
greater, for non-formulary medications. The payments kick in after they
meet non-network deductibles. The military treatment facility (MTF) remains
the best value for all users of the TRICARE pharmacy program. By having
prescriptions filled at the MTF, TRICARE beneficiaries eliminate their
out-of-pocket costs. [Source: Armed Forces News15 APR 04]
BODY SHIPMENT (INTER-COUNTRY): The services of a Funeral Home are required
to prepare the body, place in the appropriate container required by the
airlines, and deliver to the airport. You should be able to locate one in
the area where the remains are located on the Internet by entering funeral
Homes plus the city in a search engine. That may be all that is necessary
because this is their business and they may be able to handle all phases of
the transfer and paperwork plus give you an estimate of costs. If not, the
next step would be to contact the airlines you plan to use and verify their
requirements for the shipment of the remains plus, the cost, and where they
want the remains delivered to. Next locate the local Embassy/Consulate of
the country where the remains are to be sent on the Internet and inquire
from them what paperwork and fees are necessary to allow entry into the
receiving country. Most likely multiple copies of the death certificate, a
Mortuary certificate and/or certification that there are no communicable
diseases involved, and authorization for the receiving parties to accept
the remains will be required.
In the Philippines the plane will have to be met by a local Funeral Home
representative who will sign for the remains, clear through customs, and
deliver to whatever location you want for the burial. This will most
likely involve a third Funeral Home for them to transfer the remains to
unless the burial will be in the Manila area. Usually, a referral can be
made by the receiving Funeral Home as to an appropriate establishment in
the burial site city to handle the final phase. Costs is dependent on
whatever arrangements you can make with those providing the services and
how they want the money transferred to them. In Baguio funeral homes
charge ~$1.25 per kilometer for transfer of remains and about $600 to $1500
for the funeral and burial dependent on how long the body will be displayed
for viewing. This does not include the plot, which can run $250 to $800
dependent on location. Following is a list provided by the U.S. Embassy
Manila of Philippine funeral homes who provide services for remains being
shipped in and out of country:
1. ARLINGTON MEMORIAL CHAPELS: 12 G. Araneta Avenue, Quezon City,
Metro Manila. Tel. No. (632) 716-1573/715-1026 to 28 Fax No (632)
715-1031Contact Person: Mr. Rafael S. Jose, President
2. INDIONGCO'S FUNERAL PARLOR: Sto. Entierro Street, Angeles City,
Pampanga. Tel: (6345) 322-1542; (6345) 322-7496; (6345) 322-8541 Cell
Phone: (63918) 230-1672. Contact Person: Mr. Alexander Indiongco,
Proprietor and General Manager
3. LOYOLA MEMORIAL CHAPELS, INC.: E. de los Santos Avenue corner
Bernardino Street, Guadalupe, Makati City, Metro Manila. Tel. Nos. (632)
895-1011; (632) 895-0797 Fax No. (632) 895-8868. Contact Person: Ms.
Gloria Pincaro, Department Manager
4. RIZAL FUNERAL HOMES: 438 Cementina Street, Pasay City, Metro
Manila. Tel. Nos. (632) 843-0756; (632) 831-0515; (632) 831-1204. Fax No.
(632) 831-9967. Contact Person: Mr. Rodel Forbes, Funeral Director
5. ST. MARTIN'S MEMORIAL HOME: Murphy Street, Pag-asa, Olongapo
City. Tel. Nos. (6347) 223-6751; (6347) 222-3345. Contact
Persons: Messrs. Jimmy Narciso or Dominador S. Bernabe
6. ST. PETER'S MEMORIAL CHAPELS: 296 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, Metro
Manila. Tel: (632) 410-9286 thru 87; (632) 372-5084; (632) 741-2644 -
Branch Office, Dapitan, Sampaloc, Manila.Fax No. (632) 410-9285. Contact
Person: Ms. Zenaida B. Francisco, President
NOTE: Prices of services vary among the funeral homes.
[Source: Various APR 04]
RESERVES WAIVER OF VA COMP: The Defense Manpower Data Center and Department
of Veterans Affairs utilizing Social Security Numbers are in the process of
identifying Reservists and Guardsman who are reported as receiving
concurrent payments of military pay and veteran benefits. Reserve and Guard
Members are reminded that by provision of Law they cannot legally be paid
concurrently with VA disability compensation or pension benefits (10 U.S.C
12316 and 38 U.S.C. 5304(c). Individuals may elect to keep the training pay
received from the military service department. However, to be legally
entitled to keep training pay, they must waive VA benefits for a number of
days equal to the number of days for which you received training pay. In
most instances, it will be to their advantage to waive VA benefits and keep
their training pay. Reserve components report the number of days during
the fiscal year for which a reservist/guardsman received training pay as
one full day's duty for each 4-hour training assembly attended. Therefore,
individuals could be credited with four days training pay on a normal drill
weekend. On a fiscal year basis, most members would be paid for
approximately 63 training days representing 48 training sessions and 15
days active training. If VA benefits are waived to receive training pay, VA
will adjust the VA award to withhold future benefits for the same number of
days waived and at the monthly rate in effect for the fiscal year in which
a member received training pay. No overpayment will be created in the VA
account and the normal VA rate will be restored when the reported number of
days' benefits has been withheld. Questions on the waiver of VA
Compensation or pension to receive military pay and allowances may be
addressed to a VA benefits counselor at 1-800-827-1000. [Source: NCOA News
Update 4 APR 04]
SDVI: Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (SDVI) is available for veterans
who are in otherwise good health. Application for this insurance must be
submitted within two years of being notified of service connected status by
the Veterans Administration. Coverage can be purchased for up to $10,000
by veterans who left service after 24 APR 51. Veterans who are totally
disabled may apply for a waiver of premiums for initial coverage up to
$10,000. For those veterans who are eligible for this waiver, additional
supplemental coverage of up to $20,000 is available but they must pay the
premiums for the additional coverage. [Source: Federal Benefits for
Veterans and Dependents Pamphlet 80-03-1]
VACCINATION BOOKLET: The American Council on Science and Health has
published a 21-page booklet intended to reassure parents about
immunization. The report addresses common myths about vaccines and
discusses safety issues that have recently been in the news. Vaccinations:
What Parents Need to Know can be read online at
from the Council at 1995 Broadway, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10023. [Source:
Consumer Health Digest #04-11, 16 MAR 04]
TRICARE VISION BENEFITS: TRICARE vision benefits vary depending on
beneficiary status and enrollment in TRICARE Prime.
n Basic Vision Benefit for Active Duty Family Members: Active duty
family members are eligible for one comprehensive ophthalmological eye
examination per calendar year. TRICARE-authorized optometrists or
ophthalmologists provide the services, and the deductibles and cost
shares/copayments are based on whether the beneficiary is enrolled in
TRICARE Prime or opts to use TRICARE Extra or TRICARE Standard.
n TRICARE Prime Clinical Preventive Services: TRICARE Prime enrollees
age three and older are authorized comprehensive eye examinations once
every two years. TRICARE Prime enrollees may receive the services from any
TRICARE network provider without a referral or authorization from the
primary care manager (PCM), health care finder (HCF) or any other
authority. If the eye examination is not available from a network provider,
enrollees may receive services from a non-network provider if they have a
referral from the PCM and authorization from the HCF. If services are
received from a non-network provider without the proper referral and
authorization, payment is made under the TRICARE Prime point-of-service
option.
1. Pediatric vision screening is available at birth and approximately
six months of age.\
2. Diabetic patients, at any age, are allowed annual comprehensive eye
examinations.
n TRICARE Extra and Standard Clinical Preventive Services: Vision
screening is excluded from the TRICARE Extra and TRICARE Standard plans
except for one comprehensive ophthalmological routine eye examination per
calendar year for active duty family members and vision screening under the
well-child benefit. The well-child benefit is available from birth to age
six and includes eye and vision screening by a PCM during a routine
examination at birth and at approximately six months of age. Comprehensive
eye examinations are authorized once every two years between ages three and
six. Retirees and their family members who use TRICARE Standard, TRICARE
Extra and TRICARE For Life are not eligible for routine eye examinations.
n Lenses (lenses implanted within the eye or contacts) and Eye
Glasses: Benefits are limited to only one set of implantable lenses
required to restore vision. A set may include a combination of both
implantable lenses and eyeglasses when the combination is necessary to
restore vision. If there is a prescription change related to the qualifying
eye condition, a new set may be cost shared. Replacement lenses for those
that are lost, have deteriorated, or have become unusable due to physical
growth are not covered. Adjustments, cleaning and repairs of eyeglasses are
also not covered.
n Except for active duty members, lenses or eyeglasses are only cost
shared for treatment of the following conditions:
1. Infantile glaucoma
2. Keratoconus
3. Dry Eyes
4. Irregularities in the shape of the eye
5. Loss of human lens function resulting from eye surgery or
congenital absence
For more information about TRICARE vision benefits, beneficiaries should
contact their local beneficiary counseling and assistance coordinator
(BCAC) or health benefits adviser (HBA). Special programs may exist at
local military treatment facilities (MTFs) that can be contacted for more
specific information. [Source: Tricare Handbook MAR 04]
Lt. James "EMO" Tichacek, USN (Ret)
Director, Retiree Activities Office & U.S. Embassy Warden Baguio City RP
PSC 517 Box RCB, FPO AP 96517-1000
Tel: (63-74) 442-7135, Cell 0916-531-9668, or stateside FAX to email
service 1-801-760-2430
AL/AMVETS/CORMV/DAV/FRA/NAUS/NCOA/PRA/TROA/USDR/VFW/VVA/CG33/DD890/AD37
member
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