FJO Federal Journal Org

Keeping America's Veterans, TRICARE and CHAMPVA Eligible Veterans Informed regarding TRICARE and CHAMPVA. The Veteran Benefits Journal disseminates information regarding Veteran Services, TRICARE and CHAMPVA. Several times each year, we review all Military Association TRICARE SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE and CHAMPVA SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE PLANS for changes regarding rates, deductibles and other changes which can impact your coverage. Be sure to review the TRICARE Supplemental Insurance Comparison and the CHAMPVA Supplemental Insurance Comparison.

Veteran Update

Update on Physical Disability Board Review
Mike LoGrande, President of the DOD Disability Board of Review offered a startling overview of the Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) findings. He revealed that 56 percent of the cases reviewed under the congressionally mandated program were recommended for an upgrade to disability retirement. Further, 85 percent of those cases involving medically separated veterans with a history of combat were upgraded. There was some evidence that Physical Evaluation Boards (PEB), charged with assigning disability evaluations to service members awaiting medical separation, were using a modified set of rules and not the VA rating schedule, to suppress evaluations. Veterans who were medically discharged from September 11, 2001 through December 31, 2009, should consider applying for a review of their evaluation. Under PDRB rules, evaluations are either confirmed or increased, never reduced, so veterans have nothing to lose by seeking a review. More information can be found at: http://www.health.mil/About_MHS/Organizations/MHS_Offices_and_Programs/pdbr.aspx.

SAVE MY TRICARE- TAKE ACTION NOW

http://www.savemytricare.net/

Once again, Military Retiree benefits are under assault from the DoD, Congress and the administration. Veterans Voice of America (VVOA) founded by Veterans to fight for Veteran Issues and Benefits.

VVOA created a web site for you to stay updated with specific issues. In addition, the site has a powerful tool that provides us all with the ability to send email messages and print these messages to send to our Congressman and the Administration.

Please review the site, simple registration to use the Legislative Action Center. We need you and we need you to send to others so they may participate

TAKE ACTION NOW
TRICARE - http://www.savemytricare.net/
FaceBook

Veterans Crisis Line
VA is rebranding its suicide hotline as the Veterans Crisis Line to encourage more use of the service and promote broader VA suicide prevention efforts. VA hopes to emphasize its efforts toward providing critical first call help for veterans and their families. The number (1-800-273-8255) is available 24/7 and provides confidential counseling and referrals to veterans and their families. Since its launch, the prevention hotline has answered more than 390,000 calls and made more than 13,000 life-saving rescues. For more information visit the VA website at: www.va.gov. And again the number for help is 1-800-273-8255.

CHAMPVA Important Information

WARNING!
It has recently come to our attention that a person presenting himself as a Meds by Mail employee contacted a beneficiary offering them a $50.00 WalMart gift card for using Meds by Mail. In order to activate and issue the gift card a credit card number was required from the beneficiary. This is a fraudulent solicitor. Please do not give any of your credit card or banking information to any solicitor representing themselves as a Meds by Mail employee and immediately report any correspondence of this nature to your local authorities as well as your local Meds by Mail servicing center. You may contact Meds by Mail West at 1-888-385-0235 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. MST, or Meds by Mail East at 1-866-229-7389 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
On January 1, the annual deductible requirement for your CHAMPVA benefits will begin again.

» The deductible is applied to the first medical or pharmacy claims processed in 2012 until the deductible is met.
» The deductible is $50 per beneficiary or a maximum of $100 per family per year.

MEDS BY MAIL
The Meds By Mail program offers prescription medication delivered to your home. The best part of Meds By Mail is that there is NO cost share or co-pay. CHAMPVA also offers a medication by mail program called MEDS BY MAIL http://www4.va.gov/hac/forbeneficiaries/meds/meds.asp

  • Many military associations and private companies offer TRICARE supplemental insurance policies.  Unlike other health insurance, which pays first for health care services (before TRICARE pays), supplemental insurance pays after TRICARE pays its portion of the bill, reimbursing you for out-of-pocket medical expenses paid to civilian providers based on the plan's policies.

    Each TRICARE supplemental insurance plan has its own rules regarding eligibility, benefits covered, pre-existing medical conditions, cost shares, deductibles and procedures for claims processing.  Carefully consider your health care needs and the health care needs of your family before purchasing a TRICARE supplemental insurance plan.  

  • A high-level overview about TRICARE's organization, plans and eligibility requirements.TriCare Overview

    What is TRICARE?
    A quick overview about TRICARE's history and organization.

    Eligibility
    See who's eligible and how to update your personal information in DEERS.

    TRICARE Regions
    Get information about the TRICARE regions.

    TRICARE Plans
    Review general information about each TRICARE plan.

    Enrollment
    Get important enrollment information.

    Plan Wizard
    Find out which TRICARE options you may be eligible for.

    Compare Plans
    Compare two health plan options side by side.

    Special Programs
    Learn about other DoD and TRICARE programs you may be eligible for.

  • CHAMPVA OverviewThe Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is a comprehensive health care program in which the VA shares the cost of covered health care services and supplies with eligible beneficiaries. The program is administered by Health Administration Center and our offices are located in Denver, Colorado.

    Due to the similarity between CHAMPVA and the Department of Defense (DoD) TRICARE program (sometimes referred to by its old name, CHAMPUS) the two are often mistaken for each other. CHAMPVA is a Department of Veterans Affairs program whereas TRICARE is a regionally managed health care program for active duty and retired members of the uniformed services, their families, and survivors. In some cases a veterans may look to be eligible for both/either program on paper. However, if you are a military retiree, or the spouse of a veteran who was killed in action, you are and will always be a TRICARE beneficiary, you can´t choose between the two.