Beginning this month, we are returning to a shorter more concise format to accommodate multiple topics of interest appealing to a greater reader audience. Each topic will include its source and/or reference to which the reader may refer for additional
Beginning this month, we are returning to a shorter more concise format to accommodate multiple topics of interest appealing to a greater reader audience. Each topic will include its source and/or reference to which the reader may refer for additional information.
Deadline nears for WWII Filipino vets
Honorably discharged World War II Filipino veterans who served with the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines; or were members of the organized guerrilla forces; or persons who served in the Philippine Scouts before July 1, 1946, may be eligible to receive a one-time veteran’s compensation benefit of $15,000. Claims for this benefit must be received by the VA’s Manila Regional Office no later than Feb. 16. Forms and completion assistance are provided free of charge at the Kaua‘i Office of Veterans Services; call 241-3348.
TriCare, VA health care benefits remain at risk
While veterans applauded the assurance in the House version of the health care reform bill that TriCare and VA Health Care would not be negatively impacted by its passage, it is important to note that there was no such assurance in the Senate’s version of the bill. As closed door negotiations continue, veterans are encouraged to contact their elected officials and remind them of campaign promises. (Source: National Association of Uniformed Services Update)
Prescription co-pay increase delayed
A scheduled $1 increase in copayments for outpatient medications for veterans, who do not qualify for free service-connected prescriptions, is being postponed until July 1 while VA reconsiders how increases are calculated. The current charge of $8 was scheduled to rise to $9 on Jan. 1 under regulations which mandate that VA prescription drug charges keep pace with drug charges in the private sector. (Source: VA Federal Register)
TriCare dental premiums going up
The 1.9 million beneficiaries enrolled in the TriCare Dental Programs will see a slight increase in their monthly premiums, beginning Feb. 1. Single active duty member plan will increase from $12.12 to $12.69 and the monthly family plan premium will increase from $30.29 to $31.72. National Guard and Reserve monthly sponsor premium will increase from $12.12 to $12.69. Single premium rate for an Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) sponsor plan and the separate IRR single-family member plan will increase from $30.29 to $31.72. For more information, visit www.tricare.mil/mybenefit.
Report Stolen Valor Act of 2005
We have all heard stories of people who lie about their actual or non-existent military service. Did you know the “Stolen Valor Act” of 2005 makes lying about one’s military record a federal misdemeanor that is punishable with one year in prison and a $150,000 penalty? If you know of or suspect someone of faking or lying about their military service, go to the Stolen Valor Web site at www.reportstolenvalor.org and learn how to report them. Real heroes deserve recognition for their service. Fakers do not.
Attention Vietnam veterans, widows
The VA has added three illnesses to the list of those already presumed associated with exposure to Agent Orange for Vietnam Veterans. They are: B-cell Leukemia’s (such as hairy cell leukemia), Parkinson’s Disease and Ischemic Heart Disease. All Vietnam Veterans who have been medically diagnosed with any of these illnesses are encouraged to apply for VA disability. Additionally, thousands of widows may also qualify for retroactive survivors benefits if their veteran husband or wife died from either of these diseases. For more information and application assistance, contact the Kaua‘i Office of Veterans Services at: 241-3348.
New program for ‘gray-area’ reservists
While qualified members of the Selected Reserve may purchase premium-based coverage under TriCare Reserve Select, retired National Guard and Reserve personnel did not have TriCare health coverage options until they reached age 60.
Now under a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2010, certain members of the Retired Reserve who are not yet age 60 or “gray-area” retirees will be able to purchase TriCare Standard and TriCare Extra coverage. TriCare Extra simply means beneficiaries have lower out of pocket costs if they use a network provider. Qualified retired reservists should be able to purchase coverage by late summer or early fall of 2010.
While the health care benefit provided for gray-area retirees will be TriCare Standard and TriCare Extra — similar to TriCare reserve select — the new program will be different in its qualifications, premiums, copayment rates and catastrophic cap requirements. Premiums for the new gray area retiree program will be announced after program rules are published in the Federal Register. For more information about TriCare program options and benefits visit www.tricare.mil.
Free flu shots
Veterans and their eligible dependents enrolled in TriCare’s Express Scripts Prescription Drug Program may receive seasonal flu, H1N1 flu and pneumonia vaccines at no cost at the Safeway Pharmacy in Kapa‘a, Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays to Sundays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more info, call 822-2191.
Veterans enrolled in the VA Medical Care Program may receive annual flu shots at the Kaua‘i CBOC, Mondays to Fridays, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. For more information on how to enroll and/or receive shots, call 246-0497.
• Sgt. Maj. Tony Elliott USMC (Ret) is a member of the Hawai‘i Office of Veterans Services on Kaua‘i.
