TRICARE 26

Last week we reported on S. 3846 and H.R. 6227, which provide temporary provisions that would prevent adult military children ages 21 – 26 from being removed from TRICARE until the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is signed in to law. 

After the NDAA becomes law, the Defense Department would then implement the new requirements; our primary concern, however, is the timeline.  How long are we talking about?  Time matters when you’re concerned about healthcare of our military children/young adults.  And while our servicemembers wait for a new law and DoD to implement, how many adult military children will not have healthcare insurance?  The answer: one is too many!

AFSA has been aggressively working on this important matter in partnership with our The Military Coalition (TMC) partners.    

On the “civilian” healthcare side, it is required by law (as of the 23rd of September) that those adult children up to the age of 26, who are unable to attain healthcare insurance, can be covered on their parent’s healthcare plan.  While the NDAA has provisions to allow coverage for military children, it will be left up to the Secretary of Defense to establish what the fee will be. 

This is where we have major concerns; for example, if we follow current DoD trends, such as the recent implementation of TRICARE Reserve Retirement (the gray area) coverage, TRICARE 26 may be costly for military members.  As a stopgap, pending the passage of law to provide TRICARE 26 benefits, there is a current program that military parents can use.  The program, called the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP), is expensive and the cost per child is $988 per quarter.  We hope TRICARE 26 doesn’t “mirror” the cost profile of CHCBP.    

The uncertainty of when coverage will be made available to those eligible is the reason these two pieces of legislation (S.3846 and H.R. 6227) were introduced.   While private insurance companies have come on board to cover adult children (non-military) since early June, and though the Federal Employees Healthcare Benefit Plan starts on the 1st of January, our TRICARE beneficiaries do NOT yet have confirmed dates for when they can begin to cover their children (about to age out … those over age 21 or 23 (under certain conditions)). 

Important stats:  TRICARE beneficiaries only comprise 3.1% of the US population; adult military children make up less than .26 of the total US population.  Compared to the civilian population, providing healthcare for military children (until age 26) is almost negligible. 

Providing healthcare for military children until they reach age 26 seems like the right thing to do, especially since military family members “serve” along side the military member – and make significant sacrifices for our nation.

AFSA will continue to “voice” the concerns of its membership.  We’ve committed extra time and focus on this topic, as we’ve had countless members sound off on the need for TRICARE 26. 

TRICARE COALITION AND ALLIANCE MEETING

The AFSA CEO accepted an invitation to the TRICARE Coalition and Alliance Quarterly Meeting with RADM Hunter, Deputy Director of TRICARE Management Activity (TMA).  RADM Hunter delivered news and updates on what currently affects our Airmen, family members, and retirees.  TMA coordinates the health care for 9.4 million military beneficiaries worldwide.

VETERANS COALITION COMITTEE MEET THIS WEEK

AFSA’s Military & Government Relations staff attended the Veterans Coalition Committee meeting on Wednesday to discuss the committee’s 2011 goals.  The committee is comprised of representatives from The Military Coalition (TMC). 

Topics of discussion included the following:   

• VA claims pending action – for education and disability needs
• Transition support programs, including Wounded Warriors, seamless    transition, women veterans healthcare, VA caregivers, and homelessness
• Continued support of the Post-9/11 GI Bill
• Training and rehabilitation for our Wounded Warriors
• Full veteran status for certain Guard/Reserve retirees

A significant amount of time is spent in these committee meetings developing strategies for “engaging” key decision-makers on The Hill and elsewhere on the needs of veterans.  A great deal of time is also spent on cross-flowing information among the member Associations on the thoughts and concerns of their respective membership.  AFSA members have their voice heard at these meetings!   

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES AND NEWS

CONGRESS ON RECESS UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTIONS!

With the elections on the 2nd of November, members of congress have returned to their districts to campaign.  This is a golden opportunity for you, as a member, to focus on the issues we have advocated for with the 111th congress.  Ask your member of congress how they stand on many of our issues before you cast your vote!

Congress will return to Washington DC, November 15th for a “lame duck” session.  During that time, they will hopefully pass appropriations for DoD and many other appropriation bills prior to their final adjournment as the 111th congress.

MONEY YET TO BE CLAIMED UNDER “STOP LOSS”!

President Obama extends deadline!  It’s not too late to file a claim. 

There are millions of dollars waiting to be claimed by service members and veterans who were affected by stop loss.

Those eligible must submit their claim by December 3, 2010. THIS IS A VERY RECENT CHANGE!

Background:  The 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act established Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP), providing $500 for each month/partial month served in stop loss status.  Service members, veterans and beneficiaries of service members whose service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss between Sept 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009 are eligible for RSLSP.   To receive this benefit, those who served under stop loss must submit a claim for the special pay.

There is still money left to be claimed, and the deadline is approaching.  We’re reminding all service members who are eligible to submit a claim for the benefit available to them.  The average benefit is $3,800.00

Eligible members should print, complete and sign Department of Defense Form 2944, Claim for Retroactive Stop Loss Payment.

Next, choose the appropriate method for submitting the claim form and available supporting documents based on your service specifications.  This information can be found on the Air Force stop loss web site: www.defense.gov/stoploss

     Air Force:

     Tel:   800-525-0102

     Email: (Active) afpc.dpsos.stoploss@randolf.af.mil

     Email: (Guard/Reserve) arpc.contractcenter@arpc.denver.af.mil

EMPLOYMENT SITUATION OF VETERANS 2009

Jobs!  Jobs!  Jobs!  The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Labor recently announced a joint effort to assist military members transitioning to the civilian workplace.  Making the transition can be a difficult adjustment…made more difficult by the slow economy.   One in five young veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars (many of whom served in both) is unemployed.   Click here for additional information on the employment situation for veterans in 2009.

AFSA fully supports initiatives aimed at providing jobs for military veterans (and their spouses).  We seize every opportunity to educate elected officials on Capital Hill on the employment needs of veterans.  Those first to serve our great nation should be the first hired…when the uniform comes off!    

AFSA MEMBER BENEFITS

HYATT HOTELS DISCOUNT

The Air Force Sergeants Association is thrilled to announce our newest member service provider, Hyatt U.S.A.   AFSA and AFSA International Auxiliary members are able to book rooms at any Hyatt Hotel in the U.S. at a discount of 5% off the Government Per Diem rate, Thursday through Monday, and receive the Government Per Diem rate on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, based on availability. For more information, please visit our website at www.hqafsa.org, under Services – Member Benefits, or call Member & Field Relations at (800) 638-0594.

INSURANCE: PROPERTY & CASUALTY

Protect what’s important to you with affordable insurance from USAA.   USAA offers top-rated coverage at low rates.   Combine that with award-winning service — in fact, USAA was ranked one of Business Week’s top two “Customer Service Champs” the last four years in a row.   To make it easy for you, you can do it all online — quote, buy, print ID cards, and much more.   Call USAA at (800) 531-8722 or go online HERE.

OTHER INFO

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME IN BILOXI

 The brand new AFRH “Glory on the Gulf” will open to residents on November 9, 2010.  This is a long awaited opening of the new facility replacing the former home that was destroyed by hurricane Katrina on the Gulf of Mexico in the city of Biloxi. 

AFSA MEMBERS!   ARE YOU MOVING?   RECENTLY PROMOTED OR RETIRED?   

Let AFSA know your new mailing address, email address, and contact number. Updating your member information will insure uninterrupted receipt of SERGEANTS as well as other important member benefits.   Please call toll free, 1-800-638-0594.

We want to hear your thoughts and opinions.  Complete the sentence below!

“I THINK AFSA SHOULD __________.”