Volume XIII, Issue 7

Page 5

MOAA LEGISLATIVE UPDATES  (cont).

  • only 3% of the change is due to "benefit changes and improved efficiency."

This bogus active duty cost assessment would hardly be worth noting if CBO weren't using it as an excuse to propose options to cut health care spending-almost all at the expense of the beneficiary.

The CBO report has the effect of blaming service members and retirees for cost increases that were driven by the government's own decisions, then uses that false implication to justify proposals to take huge amounts of money out of service members' pockets.

MOAA Benefits Information Update - September 2003

1. Contribute to the MOAA Scholarship Fund through CFC

When you receive your contribution form for the 2003 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), look for the Military Officers Association of America Scholarship Fund, #2142. MOAA's Scholarship Fund provides interest-free loans and grants to children of officer and enlisted personnel.

The Fund has helped nearly 7,500 students achieve their dream of a college education since it was established 55 years ago. 100% of contributions are used for interest-free loans and grants. MOAA pays all operating expenses and overhead costs. More than 99% of the loans are repaid, so your gift is recycled to the next student.

2. Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) Processing Update

Services have received recent guidance from DoD to only pay for the combat related disability at this time and not pay for unemployability or other special monthly compensation. This guidance may be revisited in the near future. The current guidance should help clear applications that had been awaiting that decision. MOAA hopes the Congress takes up the Concurrent Receipt issue during the remainder of this legislative session.

For additional information and a copy of the application form, go to https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/crsc/

3. Blood Still Needed to Support Service members in Need

Though major combat actions have ended in Iraq, blood is still needed to support those who remain and those engaged in Operation Enduring Freedom. In addition to supporting the needs of military members and their families at home, the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) is responsible for supplying blood to soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines and Coast Guardsmen deployed worldwide. Having enough blood in forward areas can make the difference between life and death for those injured in the line of duty. The ASBP needs continuing donor support to make

sure the men and women who serve receive the best care possible.

Some confusion exists over who is able to donate. Information explaining donor eligibility is available on the ASBP Web site http://www.tricare.osd.mil/asbpo/donor_info/deferral.htm

Those with additional questions about eligibility should contact their local blood donor center. An online directory of blood donor centers is available at http://www.tricare.osd.mil/asbpo/donor_info/donor_centers.htm

If you'd like to donate blood or sponsor a group blood drive, contact your local blood donor center to make arrangements.

"American pride flows through us all. Donate blood."

4. Tricare Contracts Awarded

In late August, DOD announced the award of TRICARE contracts to Health Net Federal Services, Rancho Cordova, Calif.; Humana Military Healthcare Services, Louisville, Ky.; and TriWest Healthcare Alliance Corp., Phoenix, Ariz. To read the entire press release, visit http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2003/nr20030821-0387.html

5. Fact Sheets Cover Varied TRICARE Topics

A series of fact sheets have been written to help anyone who needs detailed information on particular TRICARE topics.

Beneficiaries, beneficiary counseling and assistance coordinators, customer service representatives and others responsible for explaining or understanding TRICARE are encouraged to print out and save all the Fact Sheets to assist with questions or issues at hand, or to use for future reference.

All of the Fact Sheets reflect the most current information, and print versions are available at the bottom of each fact sheet.

TRICARE Fact Sheets covering the following topics are currently available at http://www.tricare.osd.mil/factsheets/index.cfm?fx=show:

  • Appeals
  • Chiropractic Care Program
  • Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)
  • Dual-Eligibility
  • Eligibility
  • FEHBP Demonstration Project
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  • How TRICARE Changes When a Military Sponsor Retires or Dies
  • Maternity Care
  • Next Generation of TRICARE Contracts
  • Pharmacy Program
  • Point-of-Service Option
  • Portability
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 9