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Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Health Care News

Medicare Annual Deductible Reminder

If you’d rather have TRICARE For Life (TFL) pay your annual Medicare deductible for you, then make sure your first medical service of the calendar year is both a Medicare- and TRICARE-covered benefit.

More Medicare Information

VA Travel Reimbursement Increases for Eligible Veterans

Eligible veterans will see an increase in the mileage reimbursement they receive for travel to VA facilities for medical care.

TRICARE Encourages Giving Flu Vaccines a Shot

TRICARE officials urge uniformed service families to prepare for this year’s flu season by receiving a flu vaccine.

The VA Wants You!

The VA needs volunteer drivers to transport veterans to medical appointments. Find out how you can help.

Respite for Severely Injured Servicemembers Caregivers

TRICARE now offers primary caregivers of active duty servicemembers rest, relief, and reprieve, authorized by section 1633 of the 2008 NDAA.

VA, DoD Electronically Share Records of Patients

A successful pilot program between the VA and DoD is expanding to allow the electronic transfer of veterans’ medical records from any Army medical treatment facility to the VA’s four polytrauma centers.

VA Reclassifies Lou Gehrig’s Disease

The VA recently announced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig’s Disease, will become a presumptively compensable illness for all veterans with 90 days or more of continuously active service in the military.

Children’s Health Month and Obesity Prevention

Did you know October is Children’s Health Month? TRICARE has joined the effort and is encouraging families of the uniformed services to get moving and eat healthier to prevent childhood obesity.

New Resource Center for Wounded Warriors, Families, and Caregivers

A new Wounded Warrior Resource Center now is available for those who need a starting point for reporting concerns with military facilities, health care services, benefits information, and any other difficulties encountered during the recovery process.

Related news: Actor Gary Sinise Speaks Out On Suicide Prevention

New Enhanced TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP)

Effective Oct. 1, 2008, the new Enhanced TRDP program will increase the lifetime orthodontic maximum to $1,500 and add three new benefits.

VA Opening Rural Health Resource Centers

The VA will open three Veterans Rural Health Resource Centers to better understand rural health issues for veterans and develop special practices and products to implement across the country.

DoD and Humana Assure Beneficiaries Affected by Tropical Storm Gustav of Continued Service and Support in the South

To assist TRICARE Prime-enrolled beneficiaries affected by Gustav enrolled to both Military Treatment Facilities and civilian Primary Care Managers, DoD and Humana are waiving the requirement for referrals to civilian primary and specialty care providers during the period Aug. 29 - Sept. 12, 2008.

My HealtheVet Gateway to VA Health Benefits

The My HealtheVet (MHV) Web site is the gateway to veterans’ health benefits and services. You can access trusted health information, link to federal and VA benefits and resources, refill your VA prescriptions online, and more.

TRICARE News “Stay Alert”

TRICARE beneficiaries now can “Stay Alert” through a new electronic delivery service.

Traveling With TRICARE

Do you know how to use your health care benefit while away from home? Learn how to make the system work to save yourself money — and aggravation.

TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS): The Basics

TRS is a premium-based health plan that qualified National Guard and Reserve servicemembers may purchase when they are not on active duty orders or covered under the Transitional Assistance Management Program.

College Students and TRICARE

Parents already have plenty to worry about when their kids are off at college. Don’t add health care confusion to the mix. Make sure you know what TRICARE program options are available.

Debunking TRICARE Myths

Every day, MOAA’s benefits experts help members understand their health care benefits. They’ve busted the top five TRICARE myths for you here.

Related article: Confused About Medicare/TRICARE and Long Term Care?

TRICARE “Backs” New Surgeries

We have good news if you’ve been dealing with pain from fractured vertebrae. TRICARE recently approved two minimally invasive back surgeries: percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Either may replace the more invasive spinal fusion procedure.

VA Vet Centers Coming to 39 Communities

Combat veterans will receive readjustment counseling and other assistance in 39 additional communities across the country where the VA will develop Vet Centers by fall 2009.

TRICARE/VA Prescription Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs and TRICARE both launched new services in the past year, to make filling prescription benefits easier for servicemembers and veterans.

TRICARE Increases Coverage

TRICARE continues to cover more procedures and and prescriptions with their insurance and pharmacy benefits.

World’s Largest Disabled Ski Clinic at Snowmass, Colo.

More than 450 disabled veterans, including nearly 120 recently injured during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF), will ski the Rocky Mountains at the 22nd National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass Village, Colo., March 30 - April 4, 2008.

TRICARE For Life Changes Delivery of Explanation of Benefits

TRICARE For Life (TFL) beneficiaries now can print a copy of their Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from home. Also beginning in January 2008, monthly summaries are the only paper EOB's that beneficiaries will receive with two exceptions.

VA Increases Travel Reimbursement for Eligible Veterans

You may see your travel reimbursement more than double this year if you travel to VA medical facilities for health care. Find out if you are eligible for this benefit.

Confused About Medicare/TRICARE and Long Term Care?

Many people are unaware of the differences between medical care coverage under Medicare/TRICARE and Long Term Care (LTC). MOAA's Benefits Information Department experts help clear up some of the confusion.

Related article: Debunking TRICARE Myths

Electronic Filing Process for MEDIPLUS® TRICARE Supplement Claims

Eligible TRICARE Supplement claims can be filed electronically, saving you time and involving less paperwork!

TRICARE Transitional Survivor Program Enhanced

The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2006 broadens the transitional survivor status payment rate for surviving children of servicemembers who died while serving on active duty for more than 30 days.

New Online Resource for TRICARE Beneficiaries

TRICARE beneficiaries can get help with life's challenges through a new online resource called ActiveSolutions. Information is offered in both English and Spanish and includes access to benefits and behavioral health program information, as well as interactive self-assessment and health risk assessment tools.