MEDICARE/TRICARE KNOWLEDGE HELPS MAKE MOST OF BENEFITS
(AFRNS)

One of the most valuable benefits of Tricare is free or low-cost health care; however, beneficiaries must understand co-payments, deductibles and how Medicare works with Tricare to make the most of the health benefit. This will help avoid unexpected charges and denied claims, according to Tricare officials.

For example, a 69-year-old retired Navy chief warrant officer learns of a new vaccine covered as a Tricare medical benefit so he immediately takes advantage of it. A few weeks later, the chief warrant officer is surprised to see a bill for more than $100. Now faced with paying an unexpected medical expense, he learns that a covered benefit does not always mean free.
Just like the Tricare benefit, Medicare has medical and prescription coverage. As a Tricare-for-Life beneficiary, it is important to know what Medicare covers and what Tricare covers. continue reading

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FIVE YEARS OF VA HEALTH CARE FOR COMBAT VETERANS

WASHINGTON
February 26, 2008

Military veterans who served in combat since Nov. 11, 1998, including veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, are now eligible for five years of free medical care for most conditions from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This measure increases a two-year limit that has been in effect nearly a decade.

“By their service and their sacrifice, America’s newest combat veterans have earned this special eligibility period for VA’s world-class health care,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.

The five-year deadline has no effect upon veterans with medical conditions related to their military service. Veterans may apply at any time after their discharge from the military — even decades later — for medical care for service-connected health problems. continue reading

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IMPROVED TRICARE PLAN BEGINS OCTOBER 1
Week of September 10, 2007

National Guardsmen and Reservists enrolled in the TRICARE Reserve Select health plan can now go to the TRICARE website to transfer to the new, improved program that will replace it Oct. 1, 2007.

Everyone enrolled in the new system will pay one rate, based on coverage: $81 for individuals and $253 for families.

All members of the Selected Reserve qualify for the program except those who are eligible for or covered under a federal employee health benefits program.

The TRICARE website of http://www.tricare.mil/ offers
information about the new program and how to sign up - click on the “My
Benefit” link, then to the Guard and Reserve portal.

TALIA WESLEY
Program Support Specialist
California-South Committee, ESGR
Department of Defense
2145 Graeber Ste 211
MARCH ARB CA 92518-1611
O: (951) 655-4137
www.esgr.mil

Submitted By: LTC Tom Lasser, USA (RET)

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COUNCIL CONTRIBUTIONS IMPACT QUALITY OF LIFE

The Veterans Homes of California are first and foremost a place where veterans can live.

CAL-MOAA makes an annual donation of $500 to the homes. It doesn’t seem like a lot of money, and it really isn’t; however, the funds are generally spent on sundries and other personal items which make life a little easier and bring some measure of joy to the residents.

At the recent EXCOM meeting at Vandenberg Air Force Base it was pointed out that new Veterans Homes are in the planning stages and the day will come when the Council might need to increase the donation amount. continue reading

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From: “Robert Burke” To: “Jerry K. Loeb” “Bill Gavitt”Cc: “LARRY STUMPF” “Robert Ramirez” “Bill Bryan” “Ed Hollingsworth” “‘Orin G. Pruner’” “Carolyne Mitchell”"Gloria”
Subject: Re: The Dis-Information as to Funding TFL — Making the Rounds in Order to Ramp Up Fight
Date: Tue, 3 May 2005
Greetings All - Thanks Jerry for calling attention not only to this very important area of concern but also the cal-moaa,org thread relating. I particularly like Adm Ryan’s much earlier media published response and his most recent at a Mt Rainer MOAA Chapter Meeting (which is on forementioned thread). Both are low keyed but very much on the mark with facts. I’m afraid at this stage a letter to the Editor by me or others would only result in numerous responses of uncomplimentary “Opinions” due mainly to a broad lack of understanding by those that haven’t been there done that. The major thing here is that all of us are “Happy Campers” with our TriCare for Life and the goal of all is or at least should be and that is - to keep that contract in place. Very sincerely, Robert E. Burke.
P.S. Jerry unless I hear otherwise from you I will be posting your message and its attachment on the cal-moaa site. Later either I or Webmaster Gloria will transfer the whole thread to the site blog area so that it becomes a category and all our members can participate, REB

Date: Tue, 03 May 2005
From: “Jerry K. Loeb”
Subject: The Dis-Information as to Funding TFL — Making the Rounds in Order
to Ramp Up Fight
To: “Bill Gavitt” Cc: “Robert Ramirez” “Bill Bryan” , “Ed Hollingsworth” “‘Orin G. Pruner’” , “Bob Burke” ,”Carolyne Mitchell”
Greetings All Fellow MOAA Members:
Please check out the Attachment re: TFL and the dis-information being used against MOAA, TMC and the military at large. This TFL dis-information campaign is gaining momentum. This article is only one among dozens that are snaking their way into the political and public consciousness. I respectfully remind all of us that the funding for current and future TFL costs have already been addressed to resolution by 2004-2005 Congressional Act. It is this Administration (read Dr. Chu and the DoD itself) who has a whole different message to deliver. Unfortunately.
continue reading

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