From: Director, RAO Baguio [raoemo@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 6:10 PM
Subject: RAO Bulletin 15 Aug 2007
Attachments: Veteran Legislation Update 07-08-13.doc
RAO Bulletin Update
15 August 2007
THIS BULLETIN [CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES:
-- Tricare Hospice Care ---------------------------= ----- (Coverage)
--
-- VA Claims Assistance [03] ------------ (Triple Compensation)
-- Fisher House Expansion [01] ------------------ (=
-- Tricare Uniform Formulary [21] ------- (Changes Announced)
-- Publix Prescription Offer ----------------- (No = Cost Antibiotics)
-- Filipino Vet Inequities [05] ------------- (Republicans Protest)
-- VDBC [20] --------------- (CRDP Recommendation Reversed)
-- Minnesota Veterans Homes --------- (Commission Appointed)
-- Acid Reflux Disease ---------------------------- (Cancer Impact)
--
-- VA Clinic Openings [06] -------- (Non-hospital D= ental Care)
-- Tricare Prime Travel Reimbursement ----------- (= 100 miles +)
-- Tricare Provider Tax Credit
--------------------------- (
--
-- Depleted Uranium [04] ------------------ (Report= Due OCT 07)
-- VA
-- VA Care Vet Backlash -------------------- (Claim Acceptance)
--
-- Saluting the Flag --------------------------------------- (Veterans)
-- VA Facility Expansion [05] ---------------------=
-----
(
-- VA Local Access --------------------------------= -- (Where to Go)
-- VA Clinic Openings [05] --------------- (
-- SBP Basics [01] ------------------------ (Program Explanation)
-- Retiree Annual COLAs [01] -------------- (Tracki= ng Inflation)
-- VA Fraud [01] --------------------------- ($120,= 000 Embezzled)
-- Vet Home
-- HVAC [02] --------------------------------- (Sup= port for 7 Bills)
-- Commissary Construction --------------- (Program Impacted)
-- SBP Paid Up Provision [03] ----------------- (30= Year Payers)
-- Agent Orange Diseases [01] ---------------------- (Associated)
-- Agent Orange Diseases [02] ---------------- (Non-Associated)
-- Agent Orange & Hypertension -------- (Possib= le Association)
-- Retirement Tax Considerations ------------- (Sal= es & Income)
-- Veteran Legislation Status 13 AUG 07 ---- (Where= We Stand)
Editor Note 1:&nbs=
p;
Effective immediately I will cease using the email addee
raoemo@mozcom.com because Spam
messages at this addee have reached 150 daily. My email addee raoemo@sbcglobal.ne=
t will
be the only addee I will be monitoring after 15 SEP. Also, I will be relocating t=
o the
Editor’s Note 2: Attached is a listing of veteran legislation with current cosponsor status that has been introduced in the 1= 10th Congress. To see any of these= bills passed into law representatives need input from their veteran constituents = to instruct them on how to vote.
TRICARE HOSPICE CARE: Tricare hospice care is avai= lable to beneficiaries who have received a terminal diagnosis. Its function is to provide care for terminally ill patients with a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course. In particular, curative treatments are not covered, while personal care and home health aide services are covered. It may include physician services, nursing care, counseling, medical equipment, supplies, medications, medical social services, physical and occupational services, speech and language pathology, and hospice short term inpatient care to manage acute or chronic symptoms or to control pain. Room and board are not covered under the Trica= re hospice benefit; however, inpatient care is covered when needed. You cannot receive other Tricare services or benefits related to curative treatment of= the terminal illness, unless the hospice election is formally revoked.
= The hospice, in conjunction with your regional contractor, is responsible for the arrangement of all care while you are under the hospice election. To formally revoke the hospice election, you must submit a signed= and dated statement through the hospice provider. This does not alter your abil= ity to elect and reenter hospice care at a later time. Hospice care can be prov= ided in a Home, Hospice facility or Inpatient acute care facility. Care can shift among these facilit= ies without affecting the hospice benefit. For example, if you are receiving hospice care at home, but the family member caring for you is overwhelmed w= ith caretaking responsibilities, you may choose to receive short term, inpatient respite care at a hospice facility in consultation with your hospice care t= eam. This is an available option under the hospice benefit.
= Hospice care is managed by the hospice medical director, the hospice care team managing your case, and your primary care manager (PCM) or primary care provider, who are always in consultation with you and your family. Your case manager and PCM or primary care provider will assist in locating appropriate hospice care. A hospice evaluation does not require authorizati= on. Only Medicare certified hospices are authorized to provide covered services= to TRICARE beneficiaries. You can locate a Tricare authorized hospice provider through your regional contractor. There is no deductible for hospice care, and Tricare pays the cost of all covered services, except for small cost share amounts which may be collected by the individual hospice (at their option) for outpatient drugs = and inpatient respite care. Check= with your regional contractor or hospice provider for specific cost information.=
= Hospice care is provided in three benefit periods, each of which requires prior authorization from your regional contractor. The first two benefit periods are each 90 days long.&nbs= p; The first period begins on the day you sign a hospice election state= ment and both the attending physician and the hospice medical director sign a physician’s certificate of terminal illness. Each subsequent period requires recertification of the terminal illness by the hospice medical director or the physician on your hospice care team. The final benefit period is made u= p of an unlimited number of 60 day periods, each of which requires physician recertification of the terminal illness.
=
You, your PCM or primary care provider, or a family member acting on
your behalf can initiate hospice care. However, it is important to understa=
nd
that the hospice cannot provide services without a referral from your PCM or
primary care provider, prior authorization from your regional contractor, a=
nd
certification of the terminal illness.&nbs=
p;
When considering hospice care, you should discuss the options with
family members and your PCM or primary care provider. The hospice benefit a=
lso
covers a consultation with the medical director of a Medicare certified hos=
pice
so you may ask questions and learn more about a specific hospice program.
VA CLAIMS ASSISTANCE UPDATE 03: A recent study by the Instit= ute for Defense Analysis shows that wounded veterans who approach the V.A. with= out professional assistance receive on average about one-third of the compensat= ion that those who are represented by a lawyer or service organization like the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) get. DAV representative Eric McGinnis said, "That's not surprising at all. If you know the proper vernacular, a few simple phrases, it makes thin= gs a lot easier. But you'd be hard-pressed to find a vet who knows exactly the r= ight things to say and do." McGinnis' experience in that arena is both professional and personal. The Army veteran came to work for the DAV after the organization helped him obtain compensation after the VA initially told him he'd get none. "It= 's a common story," he said. Complicating matters further, is a compensation process that requires veterans to approach the VA, openly advertising their own physical and psychological wounds in order to receive benefits. "These aren't always people who are comfortable advocating for themselves," said McGinnis.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Utah State Department of Veterans Affairs Director Terry Schow said it would be nice if the system weren't so adversarial and complex that veterans needed help from outside groups to ob= tain just compensation for their wounds. "The process is so involved and complicated, that I think it's just wise to do that. And so we encourage everyone to get assistance from a service organization."
DAV is an organization of disabled veterans who are focused on building better lives = for disabled veterans and their families. They accomplish this by providing assistance to veterans, their families, their widowed spouses and their orp= hans in obtaining benefits and services earned through their military service. T= he organization is fully funded through its 1.2 million membership dues and pu= blic contributions. It is not a government agency and receives no government fun= ds. However, it is the foremost representative of the interests of disabled veterans and before federal, state, and local governments. In 88 offices, 2= 60 National Service Officers (NSOs) and 26 Transition Service Officers (TSOs) directly represent veterans with claims for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. NSO/TSO personnel assist in filing claims for VA disability compensation, rehabilitation and education program= s, pensions, death benefits, employment and training programs, and many other programs. This service is ava= ilable to all veterans at no charge. DAV’s Voluntary Service Program consists of a transportation network which provides veterans with rides to and from VA medical facilities for treatment, and a program which facilitates volunteers at VA hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.
NSO representation covers development and prosecution veterans' claims through = in-depth reviews of medical histories in conjunction with sound application of curre= nt law and regulations. In representing veterans and their families, NSOs assi= st in the thorough preparation of claims and written briefs, which includes helping to assemble evidence in support of those claims. They also review rating board decisions and inform veterans and their families of the appeals process and their appellate rights. DAV National Appeal Officers represent the largest percentage of claimants in cases decided by the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). They also provide representation before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims through which veterans have the right to independent judicial review of app= eals denied by the BVA. Veterans seeking assistance can refer to www.dav.org/veterans/service_office.html to locate an office accessible to them. [Source: The Salt Lake Tribune Mathew LaPla= nte article 13 Aug 07 ++]
FISHER HOUSE EXPANSION UPDATE 01: The newest Fisher House was
dedicated 6 AUG 07 at the Jam=
es A.
Haley Veterans’ Hospital in
TRICARE UNIFORM FORMULARY UPDATE 21: The Tricare Management Activ= ity announced the following changes to the Uniform Formulary:
- Nexi= um, which is used to treat heartburn and gastric disorders, has been reclassifi= ed as a first-tier medication. First-tier medications (formulary generics) are available at most military treatment facilities at no charge, or for a $3 co-pay through the Tricare Retail Pharmacy (30-day supply) or the Tricare M= ail Order Pharmacy (90-day supply).
- Prev= acid, Zegerid, Protonix and Aciphex, are also used to treat gastric disorders and will be reclassified as non-formulary medications effective 24 OCT 07.
- Avod= art, a medication used to treat prostrate-related problems will move to the third = tier on 24 OCT.
- Hype= rtension drugs Avapro, Avilide, Benicar, Benicar HCT, Diovan, Diovan HCT, Teveten, a= nd Teveten HCT along with cholesterol-lowering medications Anatara, Tricor, Omacor, and WelChol will be reclassified as non-formulary medications on 21 NOV. The price of non-formula= ry medications is $22.
Beneficiaries using the above medications may want = to consult with their health care providers about other options including gene= ric equivalents or establishing medical necessity for the third-tier medication= if appropriate. If medical neces= sity is established, the co-payment is reduced to $9. Third-tier medications are not ava= ilable at military treatment facility (MTF) pharmacies unless an MTF provider establishes medical necessity and writes the prescription. Medical necessity forms and criter= ia are available at
www.tricare.mil/pharmacy/medical-nonformulary.cfm.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> For a complete list of medications, their formulary status and where they are available, beneficiaries may refe= r to
www.tricareformularysearch.org/dod/medicationcenter= /default.aspx. Additional information on the TRIC= ARE Retail Pharmacy and locations, and the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy can be f= ound at www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE or by calling 1(866) 363-8779 for the retail pharmacy or 1(866)363-8= 667 for the mail order pharmacy. [Source: NAUS Weekly Update 10 Aug 07 ++]
PUBLIX PRESCRIPTION OFFER: On 6 AUG the Publix Super Market c= hain said it would make seven common prescription oral antibiotics at no charge = to its customers via their 648 pharmacies.&nb= sp; With a valid prescription, new or current Publix customers can recei= ve a 14-day supply that will be filled at no charge and can be refilled. The antibiotics include:
* Amox= icillin
* Ceph= alexin
* Sulf= amethoxazole/Trimethoprim (SMZ-TMP)
* Cipr= ofloxacin (excluding ciprofloxacin XR)
* Peni= cillin VK
* Ampi= cillin
* Eryt= hromycin (excluding Ery-Tab)
These antibiotics account for almost 50% of the gen=
eric,
pediatric prescriptions filled at Publix. Publix is not limiting the number=
of
prescriptions customers may fill.
The antibiotics will be provided to customers regardless of their
prescription insurance provider. Publix operates stores in
FILIPINO VET INEQUITIES UPDATE 05: The Filipino Veterans Equity=
Act
of 2007 (H.R.760) passed the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. This is a bill to amend title 38, =
United
States Code, to deem certain service in the organized military forces of the
Government of the Commonwealth of the
VDBC UPDATE 20:&nb= sp; Veterans won an important victory this week when the Veterans Disabi= lity Benefits Commission (VDBC) reversed itself on the issue of giving both VA disability payments and full military retirement pay to Chapter 61 and TERA retirees. At the JUL 07 meeting of the Commission they pointedly voted to n= ot support both benefits for those groups. But discussion among a number of the commissioners after that vote in July made it apparent that many of them did not understand the implications of their votes. In the weeks since that meeting, veterans groups provided information to the commission that led to= the change this week. The new language adopted by the Commission in a 12 to 1 v= ote was as follows: Congress should eliminate the ban on concurrent receipt for= all retirees and disability retirees. Future priority should be given to Chapte= r 61 retirees with less than 20 years and greater than 50% service-connected disabled and all combat disabled Chapter 61’s. At last month’s meeting the Commission already decided to recommend that both full Military Retired Pay= and VA Disability Pay be given immediately to all longevity retirees with VA disabilities ratings (including those with 10%-40% ratings.)
=
The Commission next meets 22-24 AUG in
MINNESOTA VETERANS HOMES: The Minnesota Veterans Home –=
;
=
The
=
Admissions criteria for acceptance in a
-
-
-
-
-
[Source:
ACID REFLUX DISEASE: Acid Reflux (i.e. hear= tburn) is caused when acid from the stomach flows upwards into the long feeding tu= be that connects the stomach and throat (esophagus) causing a burning sensatio= n. Unlike the stomach, which has a lining that protects it from the acid, the esophagus is delicate and easily irritated by acid. Nighttime heartburn is heartburn that occurs at night. Anyone can have occasional heartburn as mig= ht occur after a spicy meal. Frequent and recurring heartburn, however, may be= a symptom of a more serious condition. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is caused when the opening between t= he esophagus and the stomach becomes looser or relaxes at the wrong times. Normally, this opening allows food to travel only from your esophagus into = your stomach. A muscular valve, called a sphincter, normally keeps stomach conte= nts, including stomach acid, in the stomach. When the sphincter between the stom= ach and the esophagus becomes loose or relaxes at the wrong time, the stomach contents can flow up from the stomach into the esophagus. This irritates the esophagus, which doesn't have a special lining to protect it from acid like= the stomach does. Studies have also shown that if you lie in bed, the protective effect of gravity can become lessened.
=
New research from scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center and t=
he
=
Over time, the persistent acid bath from acid reflux can cause normal
skin-like cells in the esophagus to change into tougher, more acid-resistant
cells of the type found in the stomach and intestine, a condition called Ba=
rrett’s
esophagus, explained Dr. Stuart Spechler, professor of internal medicine and
senior author of the paper. “Unfortunately, those acid-resistant cells
are also more prone to cancer,” Dr. Spechler said. According to the National Cancer
Institute Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, the cancer that is especially
associated with Barrett’s esophagus, is currently the most rapidly ri=
sing
cancer in the
= LinkVet was developed by the Governor’s Yellow Ribbon Task For= ce Crisis Line Workgroup. This group met during the spring and included representatives from several state agencies, the National Guard and non-pro= fit veteran services providers. A= fter discovering there were several toll-free lines for crisis intervention and suicide prevention for returning soldiers and veterans, and that United Way’s 211 referral line is not cell phone accessible, the workgroup proposed a statewide one-stop call line for veterans similar to the Senior Linkage and Disability Linkage lines. Revation, the company that has supplied the software for Senior Link= age and Disability Linkage lines, has agreed to provide a one-year free trial of the Veterans Linkage Line software. After the first year, there will be no additional hardware required and approximately $0.04 per minute operating costs. Last year, MDVA launched www.minnesotaveteran.org, a one-stop Web si= te for information about education, medical, employment, retirement and other benefits. [Source: Independent Review Kristin Holtz a= rticle 13 Aug 07 ++]
VA CLINIC OPENINGS UPDATE 06: A joint effort of two Depart=
ment
of Veterans’ Affairs medical centers has put dental health care close=
r to
the homes of many eastern
=
For many of the area's veterans, trips to a VA hospital require seve=
ral
hours. While specialty dental care may still require visits to
The dental care at the
TRICARE PRIME TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT: Tricare Prime beneficiaries referr= ed by their primary care manager for specialty services at a location more than 1= 00 miles from their provider’s location may be eligible to have their reasonable travel expenses reimbursed by Tricare. Beneficiaries must have a valid referral and travel orders prior to traveling, and file a travel claim upon their return. This can be requested at the military treatment facility (MTF) or from the Tricare Regi= onal Offices (TRO) if the doctor is a Tricare network provider. Beneficiaries wi= ll receive a briefing on the entitlement process, coverage, and their responsibilities at the MTF or from the TRO point of contact. Reasonable tr= avel expenses are the actual costs incurred by the beneficiary when traveling to their specialty provider. Cos= ts include meals, gas, tolls, parking, and tickets for public transportation (i.e., airplane, train, bus, etc.). Beneficiaries must submit receipts for expenses above $75. The MTF or TRO will provide the beneficiary with specific instructions on how and wher= e to submit his or her travel entitlement claim. Government rates are used to estimate the reasonable cost. Beneficiaries are expected to use the least costly mode of transportation. Costs of lodg= ing and meals may be reimbursed up to the government per diem rate. This benefit does not apply to travel expense for specialty care experienced by active d= uty uniformed service members, or active duty family members residing with their sponsors overseas, which are reimbursed by other travel entitlements. For more information on the Tricare Prime Travel Reimbursement, refer to www.tricare.mil/factsheets. [Source: Tricare News Release 8 Aug 07++]
TRICARE PROVIDER TAX CREDIT: The leadership of the state =
of
=
TriWest has been conducting a proactive campaign to enlist state
governors in their service area to support active duty, retiree and Guard a=
nd
Reserve families by encouraging physicians to accept patients with Tricare.
With the encouragement and support of state leadership, the Oregon War Vete=
rans
Association and the Oregon Medical Association, TriWest Healthcare Alliance=
has
increased the Tricare provider network in
Sales Taxes - State Sales Tax: None; Gasoline Tax: = 24.9 cents/gallon & Diesel Fuel Tax: 24.3 cents/gallon (Local fuel taxes may= add 1 to 3 cents/gallon); Cigarette Tax: $1.18/pack of 20.
Personal Income Taxes -
- Inco= me Brackets: Lowest - $2,750; Highest - $6,851 w/3 brackets.
- Pers= onal Tax Credits: Single - $154; Married - $308; Dependents - $154; and a credit equ= al to 40% of federal credit
- Sta= ndard Deduction: Single - $1,840; Married filing jointly - $3,685; Single over 65= - $1,200; Married over 65 filing jointly $2,000.
- Medi= cal/Dental Deduction: Full only for age 59 or older, if itemized.
- Fede= ral Income Tax Deduction: $5,000 ($2,500 if married filing separately)
-
Retirement Income Taxes: Federal income tax rules
generally determine the amount of your pension that is taxed by
a. Retired M= ilitary Pay: Federal retirees, including military personnel, may be able to subtract some or all of their federal pension income. This includes benefits paid to the retiree or to the surviving spouse. The subtraction amount is based on the number of months of federal s= ervice before and after October 1, 1991. Retirees can subtract their entire federal pension if all the months= of federal service occurred before October 1, 1991. If there are no months of service = before October 1, 1991, retirees cannot subtract any federal pension. If service included months before = and after October 1, 1991, retirees can subtract a percentage of their pension income.
b. Military Disability Retired Pay: Disability Portion - Length of Service Pay; Member = on September 24, 1975 - No tax; Not Member on September 24, 1975 - Taxed, unle= ss combat incurred. Retired Pay - Based solely on disability: Member on September 24, 1975 - No tax; Not Memb= er on September 24, 1975 - Taxed, unless all pay based on disability and disability resulted from armed conflict, extra-hazardous service, simulated war, or an instrumentality of war.
c. VA Disabi= lity Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: Not subject to federal or state taxe= s.
d. Military SBP/SSBP/RCSBP/RSFPP: Generally subject to state taxes for those states with income tax. Check with state department of revenue office.
Property Taxes:&nb=
sp;
Inheritance and Estate Taxes: An Oregon inheritance tax return is
required to be filed whenever a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is
required to be filed. For a
resident decedent,
For latest information, visit the Oregon Department= of Revenue site http://www.oregon.gov/DOR/ or call (503) 378-4988. [Source: http://www.retirementliving.com/RLstate3.html Aug 07 ++]
DEPLETED URANIUM UPDATE 04: In the wake of an Iraqi offi=
cial
in blaming
=
Even so, worries persist. According to Rep. Jim McDermott [D-WA 07] =
who
pushed for the report from the Pentagon, "There are countless stories =
of
mysterious illnesses, higher rates of serious illnesses, and even birth
defects. We do not know what role, if any, DU plays in the medical tragedie=
s in
VA NORTH TEXAS SITREP: The Veterans Affairs medical
system in
=
Dalpiaz seemed surprised when he took over to discover there was no
strategic plan, no blueprint for where to go or how to get there. He insists
that veterans must be treated better by employees. The
=
Anyone new who joins the system must
drive to the
The VA's requirement that a veteran get an appointm=
ent
within 30 days is being met only half the time. Mike George, the newly named
clinic administrator, said there's a ripple effect on the entire facility i=
f a
doctor falls behind, a suicidal patient shows up, a doctor calls in sick or=
a
crush of veterans drop in without appointments. Eldon Armstrong of
=
The VA has closed a real estate deal in south
VA CARE VET BACKLASH: Angry veterans shouted down =
U.S.
Rep. Ciro Rodriguez [D-TX-23] as he tried to bring order to a forum for
veterans held in downtown
=
Filner then told the audience that the House had committed "ten=
s of
billions" into the 2008 budget for PTSD. He said he was working to cha=
nge
the adversarial relationship the Department of Veterans Affairs has with so
many veterans, especially those of the
=
In his opening remarks, Filner said he had come to listen and learn,=
and
he asked the capacity crowd how many had served in
PUERTO RICO MEDICAL FRAUD: Over 80 doctors and licensing
board administrators from Puerto Rico have been indicted by a
=
Some of the defendants had failed their medical exams a dozen times.
Most of them did their medical training overseas, for instance in the
SALUTING THE FLAG: The Senate has passed legisl=
ation
to ensure that veterans and service members can salute the flag when not in
uniform. The bill S.1877, spo=
nsored
by Sen. James Inhofe [R-OK] would address the ambiguity of current law, whi=
ch
states that veterans and service members not in uniform should place their =
hand
over their hearts, without specifying whether they can or should salute the
flag. Inhofe said, “The salute is a form of honor and respect,
representing pride in one’s military service. Unfortunately, current =
- When= the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should f= ace the flag and salute.
- To s= alute, all persons come to attention.
- Thos= e in uniform give the appropriate formal salute.
- Citi= zens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with h= ead cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. <= /p>
- Memb= ers of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.
- The = pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag,= and saluting. When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand= at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the mu= sic.
[Source: ArmyTimes Daily News Roundup 3 Aug 07 ++]
VA FACILITY EXPANSION UPDATE 05: VA and
VA LOCAL ACCESS:&n=
bsp;
The Department of Veterans Affairs is represented by numerous Region=
al
offices (VARO), state Benefit Offices,
- VARO: http://www.vba.va.gov/benefits/ROcontacts.htm
- State Benefit Offices: http://www.va.gov/statedva.htm
- Vet = Centers: http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/vetcenter.asp
- Medi= cal, cemetery, and all the above: http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp.
- The = yellow pages of your local telephone directory under “Government OfficesR= 21;
For questions or information you get an email respo= nse by asking your question at https://iris.va.gov/scripts/iris.cfg/php.exe/enduser/home.php. To talk to someone you can go to y= our local VA office or call the following
- VA B= enefits: 1(800) 827-1000 for Burial; Civilian Health & Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA); Death Pension; Dependency Indemni= ty Compensation; Direct Deposit; Directions to VA Benefits Regional Offices; Disability Compensation; Disability Pension; Education; Home Loan Guaranty; Life Insurance; Medical Care; Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment.
- Educ= ation (GI Bill): 1(888) 442-4551
- Heal= th Care Benefits: 1(877) 222-8387
- Inco= me Verification and Means Testing: 1(800) 929-8387
- Life Insurance: 1(800) 669-8477
- Mamm= ography Helpline: 1(888) 492-7844
- Spec=
ial
Issues - Gulf War/Agent
- Stat= us of Headstones and Markers: 1(800) 697-6947
- Tele= communications Device for the Deaf (TDD): 1(800) 829-4833
-
[Source: VA website www.vba.gov Aug 07 ++]
VA CLINIC OPENINGS UPDATE 05: The Department of Vet=
erans
Affairs (VA) announced week to construct in
SBP BASICS UPDATE 01: When a military retiree dies their retirement pay stops. This means that the surviving spouse will be left wit= hout a substantial income source. If you are considering retirement you need to = give serious thought to how you can protect your spouse from the hardships cause= d by the loss your retirement pay. One option available to you is the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). This is an insurance plan that will pay your surviving spouse a monthly payment (taxab= le annuity) to help make up for the loss of your retirement income. The plan is designed to protect your survivors against the risks of your early death; y= our survivor outliving the benefits; and inflation. At retirement, full basic S= BP for spouse and children will take effect automatically if you make no other valid election. You may not reduce or decline spouse coverage without your spouse's written consent. This means you will have to have your spouses inp= ut in the decision and his or her signature is required. If you are divorced or not married= than any future spouse can be signed up within one year of the marriage.
If you do not decline SBP you will be required to pay a monthly prem= ium. If a marriage ends, the SBP premium payments are stopped when the retiree notifies DFAS. Premiums and benefits are based on the base amount or benefit level that you elect. Your base amount can be any amount from full coverage down to as little as $300 a month. Full coverage is based on your full reti= red pay meaning your spouse will receive 55% of your retirement pay. If you sel= ect lesser coverage then your spouse will receive 55% of your elected base amount. A surviving spouse's = SBP annuity is reduced when they reach age 62 and become eligible for Social Security. This is called the Social Security offset. In the past the offset reduced the SBP annuity to 35% of the base amount. Fortunately the NDAA of 2005 estab= lished a phase out of the offset. Th= is will increase the SBP offset percentage from the present 50 to 55% effective 1 A= PR 08. Categories of coverage are:
- Spou= se Only: Eligibility for this requires that a surviving spouse be a widow or widower= who was married to a retiree at the time of his or her enrollment; or, if not married at the time of enrollment, was married to the deceased retiree for = at least one year prior to the retiree’s death; or, if not married at ti= me of enrollment and was not married to the deceased retiree for at least one = year prior to death, was the parent of issue by that marriage. Spouse coverage a= pplies not only to the spouse a member has at time of enrollment, but also automatically to any subsequent spouse the member might acquire, unless the member elects to decline coverage for a subsequent spouse within one year of the date of marriage (concurrence of the subsequent spouse is not required,= but that spouse will be notified of the member’s declination).
- Spou= se (or Former Spouse) and Child: SBP protection is expanded to cover an eligible c= hild or children if there is no surviving spouse, or if a surviving spouse subsequently dies or becomes ineligible to receive benefits due to remarria= ge before the age of 55. Thus, if there is a divorce or if the spouse dies bef= ore the retiree, the full annuity will be paid to the eligible surviving child = or children in the same manner as if the member had elected Child Only coverag= e.
- Chil= d Only: This option provides an annuity only for dependent children regardless of whether a member is married or not at time of enrollment (although a married member’s spouse must concur with a child only election). Children rem= ain beneficiaries until age 18 or age 22 if a full-time, unmarried student. Children mentally or physically incapable of self-support remain eligible, while unmarried, for as long as the incapacitation exists. A member with no dependent children at time of eligibility to elect coverage may elect cover= age for a child subsequently acquired, but the child must be added within one y= ear of being acquired (born, adopted, etc.).
- Form= er Spouse: A member who has a former spouse upon becoming eligible to elect a survivor annuity may elect coverage for a former spouse. If the member has = more than one former spouse, the member must specify which former spouse is being covered. An election for a former spouse prevents payment of an annuity to a current spouse. A former spouse who was not a member’s former spouse = on the date a member became eligible to participate in SBP must have been marr= ied to the member for at least one year in order to be named as a former spouse= beneficiary.
- Insu= rable Interest: A member who does n= ot have a spouse or dependent child when eligible to make a program election m= ay elect to provide coverage for a person with an insurable interest in the me= mber (such as, a business partner or parent). DoD defines an insurable interest = as a natural person who has a reasonable and lawful expectation of financial ben= efit from the continued life of the participating member, or any individual havi= ng a reasonable and lawful basis, founded upon the relation of parties to each other, either financial or of blood or affinity, to expect some benefit or advantage from the continuance of the life of the retired member. If the election is for a person who is more nearly related than a cousin, no proof= of financial expectation is required. An election for insurable interest cover= age, for other than a dependent made by a member retiring on or after 24 NOV 03 under a military disability provision, who dies within one year after being retired due to a cause related to the disability for which retired, shall be voided and any premiums paid for that coverage will be paid to the person to whom the annuity would have been paid.
Like your retirement pay the SBP annuity is protect= ed from inflation. Each year when retired pay gets a COLA, so does the base amount, and as a result, so do premiums and annuity payments. Meaning that your premiums and ann= uity payments will increase with the COLA. These increases are determined by the previous year's Consumer Price Index and averages approximately 2.5%. For specific costs on your election refer to http://www.military.com/benefits/survivor-benefits/coverage-cost-and-benefi= ts. NOTE: Survivors should report retiree deaths to the DFAS casualty office at 1(800) 269-5170. Faxes can be sent to the office at 1(800) 469-6559. [Source: NCPOA Don Harribine 2 Aug= 07 ++]
RETIREE ANNUAL COLAS UPDATE 01: Military retired pay rises each year to ensure that inflation does not erode the purchasing powe= r of retirees. These cost-of-living adjustments, known as COLAs, match the annual increase in Social Security benefits. They become effective each 1 DEC and first show up in January paychecks. The foundation for the COLA adjustment = is the Labor Department’s Consumer Price Index, a measure of the cost of= certain categories of goods and services that is updated monthly. There is one over= all CPI, as well as a variety of more specific indexes. The index upon which the retired pay COLA is based is called the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Cler= ical Workers, or CPI-W. The rate of inflation may rise and fall throughout the y= ear, but the exact increase in retired pay is based only on the average inflation rate over the last quarter of the fiscal year that runs from Oct. 1 to Sept= 30. The size of the increase is equal to the difference between the average inflation rate in that quarter and the average inflation rate in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year. For the purposes of military retired p= ay, this means the only months in which inflation matters are July, August and September. So far this fiscal= year inflation rates have been OCT 06 (-1.1), NOV 06 (-1.2), DEC 06 (-1.0), JAN = 07 (-0.8), FEB 07 (-0.3), MAR 07 (0.8), APR 07 (1.5), MAY 07 (2.3), & JUN = 07 (2.4). Thus, if the last the month’s CPI-W rates were to be used to compute the 2008 COLA we would= be looking at an increase of 1.5= + 2.3 + 2.4 divided by 3 which equates to 2.1%. Service members who retire in a given fiscal year receive a partial COLA for that year only, based on the date of their retirement. They receive the full COLA in subsequent years. The retired pay COLA technically= is not automatic; Congress must formally approve it each year. To track CPI-W yourself go to www.armytimes.com and click on "Retirement Tracking your COLA”. [Source: Army Times Aug 07 ++]
VA FRAUD UPDATE 01:
The
=
When the state's first veterans home opened in
The first
- Resi=
dent of
- Born=
in
- Ente=
red the
-
- Has =
an
immediate family member (Parent, Spouse, Sibling, or Child) or Legal Guardi=
an
who would serve as primary caregiver, who is a resident of
Spouse, Widow/Widower or Gold Star Parent may also =
be
eligible for admission on a space available basis. Upon meeting the eligibi=
lity
requirements, an applicant's name will be placed on a Potential Admissions =
Wait
List. Applications are availa=
ble
for download at http://www.tsvh.org as well pricing and availability
information. Also, a video/DV=
D on
HVAC UPDATE 02: In a Subcommittee on Disabil= ity Assistance and Memorial Affairs legislative hearing 1 AUG on H.R. 674, H.R. 1273, H.R. 1900, H.R. 1901, H.R. 2346, H.R. 2696, and H.R. 2697, members expressed general bipartisan support for these bills. One area of concern among subcommi= ttee Republicans is the lack of cost information now available, especially as mu= ch of the legislation considered involves the need for PAYGO mandatory funding offsets. H.R. 2696, H.R. 2697, and H.R. 2346 each directly address how Cong= ress determines the location of national cemeteries in a timely manner. Following are the bills that are u= nder consideration:
- H.R.= 2696, the Veterans Dignified Burial Assistance Act of 2007 introduced by subcommi= ttee ranking member Doug Lamborn (R-CO) contains provisions which would improve = the VA burial benefit and state veteran’s cemeteries. This bill would increase the buria= l and plot allowance for a veteran’s burial in a private cemetery from $300= to $400. The bill would also rep= eal the current time limitation for state reimbursement of interment costs by VA. Occasionally, a state loc= ates the remains of veterans who were not buried. When states bury these veterans, V= A may not be able to reimburse them because of a time limit on reimbursement. Additionally, the bill would authorize the VA secretary to make additional grants to states for improving and expanding state veteran cemeteries. States would have to submit an application to the secretary, and could receive up to $5 million.
- H.R.= 2697, also introduced by Lamborn, would extend eligibility for Veterans Mortgage = Life Insurance (VMLI) to members of the armed forces. VMLI is a special type of life ins= urance that is only available to veterans who qualify for specially adapted housing grants. Many of our nation’s injured active duty servicemembers may eventually qualify for VMLI, and would benefit by having this eligibility.<= /p>
- H.R.= 2346, introduced by Vito Fossella (R-NY), would direct VA to establish a process = to determine whether a geographic area is sufficiently served by existing veterans’ cemeteries. T= he process will take into account the following variables for each geographic area: (1) total number of veterans; (2) average distance a resident must travel to reach the nearest national cemetery; (3) population density; (4) average amount of time it ta= kes a resident to travel to the nearest national cemetery; (5) availability of public transportation for purposes of traveling to national cemeteries; and= (6) average amount of fees charged to an individual traveling on the major roads leading to the national cemeteries. This process will be a departure from the current 175,000 population= and 75-mile thresholds that the VA uses for determining the need of a national cemetery.
- H.R.=
674,
introduced by Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) would repeal the 2008 sunset provision =
on
VA’s Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans. The committee comprises representa=
tives
from minority groups, veterans’ service organizations, and
representatives from many federal, state, and local government agencies.
- H.R.= 1273, introduced by Shelley Berkley (D-NV) extends eligibility for a $300 plot allowance for burial in a private cemetery who is eligible for burial in a national cemetery and who: (1) was discharged from active service for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; or (2) is a veteran = of any war. Currently, a veteran= is only eligible for this plot allowance if they were receiving VA compensatio= n, pension benefits, or died of service-connected injuries. The bill also authorizes the VA secretary to reimburse a veteran’s family for the cost of buying a non-governmental headstone.&nb