News Brief (12/20/2007)
Certain Payments to Disabled Veterans Ruled Tax-Free; Some May Be Due Refunds
Veterans Q&As
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News Brief (12/03/2007)
DOD and VA Begin Pilot Disability Evaluation System
Shingles Vaccine OK'd for Certain Beneficiaries
DoD and VA Begin Pilot Disability Evaluation System
An easier way to get your prescriptions
Inhofe Legislation Allows Veterans to Salute the Flag
VA and DoD to Test Combined Physical
New Changes to Tricare Formulary
Shingles Vaccine Available to TRICARE Beneficiaries Age 60 and Older
About TRICARE Management Activity and the Military Health System
Geographic Scope of Retiree Dental Program Expanded
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News Brief (11/14/2007)
Defense Spending Bill headed to President
Temporary War Fund
Space and Missile Defense Topic at AUSA Breakfast
AUSA 2008 Resolutions Adopted
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News Brief (11/07/2007)
President Issues 2008 Veterans Day Proclamation
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News Brief (11/07/2007)
2008 Military Retiree Pay Dates
Older Retirees to See SBP Premiums End
Military Retiree COLA Set for 2008
Military Retiree Survivor Checklist
Former Army Surgeon General Nominated to be VA Secretary
Agreement Reached on Military Construction/VA Spending Bill
VA Urges Flu Shots
TRICARE Lowers Nexium Co-pay
DoD to Unveil New Disability System
Disparities in Disability Pay Addressed by Congress
Fall Flu Shots Are Just What the Doctor Ordered
TRICARE Seeks and Listens to Input on Its New Website
TRICARE Beneficiaries: Don’t Get Stuck With the Bill – Get Preauthorization
New Online Resource Can Help TRICARE Beneficiaries Deal With Life's Challenges
TRICARE Adds Coverage for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Screenings for Breast Cancer
DeCA Pulls Baker’s Chocolate Baking Squares
DeCA Pulls Certain Pediatric Cold Medicines
Holiday Deadlines Rapidly Approaching for Troop Support
AAFES to Giveaway Deluxe Disney Vacation
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News Brief (10/16/2007)
Commission Releases Report on Veterans Care and Benefits
VA Secretary Calls for End to Pay Delays for Veterans
Employer-Paid TRICARE Supplemental Plans to End
Army Launches Benefits Website
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News Brief (10/15/2007)
DoD Awards TRICARE Retiree Dental Contract
Retiree Costs to Rise as Employer-Paid TRICARE Plans End
Update: Defense Authorization Bill
Medicare/TRICARE Fee Fix Dropped
VA Seeking Former POWs/Family Members
Postal Service Announces Holiday Deadlines
VA announces Increases In Doctors In Training
ConocoPhillips Awards $2 Million To Help Build The Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall
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News Brief (09/24/2007)
AAFES Sets Retiree Weekend
Retired ID Card Replacement Update
GAO Report on VA Data Security
VA Honors Founder of Little Caesars
AAFES Delivers Retirement Package To Those Who ‘Still Serve’
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News Brief (09/18/2007)
VA Increases the GI Bill Rates: $39,636
New Policy Increases Homeownership Opportunities for Veterans
AUSA Volunteer Family of the Year Award Winners Announced
TRICARE Beneficiaries Can Save Time, Money With New Service
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News Brief (09/17/2007)
Army Retired Soldiers Pin Update
VA Retro Pay Nears Home Stretch
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News Brief (09/11/2007)
Ginnie Mae Lifts Home Loan Limits
Mail Order Pharmacy Gets Simpler
VA Stocks Shingles Vaccine
AFRC Garmisch Offers European Escapes
Senate Passes Military Construction-VA Appropriations Bill
Senator Warner Announces His Retirement
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News Brief (09/07/2007)
Possible TRICARE Data Compromise
Two Vet Groups Sue VA
Senate Defense Bill Hits Logjam
VA Health Care Dims for Priority 8's
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5 Must Know GI Bill Facts (09/07/2007)
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Nicholson to leave VA and Return to the Private Sector
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jim Nicholson announced today he has tendered his resignation to President George W. Bush, effective no later than October 1, 2007.
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Legislative News
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News Briefs
Congress Addresses Shortfalls in Benefits and Services to Veterans
Bill Proposes Change to DIC Law Governing Age Threshold for Remarriage
TRICARE Medical Benefit Enhanced to Assist Dental Patients with Special Needs
TRICARE Pilot Allows Beneficiaries to Substitute OTC Medications for No Copay
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News Briefs
Task Force on Military Healthcare Issues Interim Report; Higher TRICARE Fees Endorsed
Home Care for Veterans Proposed Under New Bill
Education Benefits Improve for Minnesota Veterans
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Former Spouse Lawsuit Rejected
On June 18, the Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court denied the USFSPA Litigation Support Group's (ULSG) petition to review the constitutionality of the Uniform Services Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA).
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Legislative News
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US Family Health Plan & Health Integrated Expand Partnership to Improve Healthcare For U.S. Military Families and Retirees (06/13/2007)
US Family Health Plan at Saint Vincent NYC ("USFHPNY"), and Health Integrated, Inc., announce that they have expanded their partnership to provide additional healthcare benefits to our nation 's military families and military retirees.
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News Briefs (06/05/2007)
FY 2008 Defense Authorization Bill Would Improve Pay and Benefits
Legislation Proposes Expansion of Eligibility of VA Mortgage Life Insurance
Indiana and Arkansas Pass Military Friendly Legislation
New VA Panel to Improve Services for Returning Combat Veterans; Seeks Comment
Fidelity Fined for Misleading Servicemembers about Investments
MyPay Improves Online Security
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News Briefs (05/24/2007)
Army Opens New Military-Only Resort
TRICARE Uniform Formulary Update Announced
Save with the Armed Forces Vacation Club
VA Bonuses to Be Reviewed
New Security Measure Added to myPay
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Permanent ID Cards (05/22/2007)
An update from the DEERS project office
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News Briefs (05/16/2007)
FY 2008 Defense Authorization Bill Would Improve Pay and Benefits
Army Details Changes to Wounded Warrior Care at Walter Reed
Interagency Task Force Makes Recommendations to Improve Services to Veterans
TRICARE Uniform Formulary Update Announced
TRICARE Supports Beneficiaries Participating in Medicare’s Renal Disease Demonstrations
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Chief of Staff Retiree Council Report 2007
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News Briefs (04/09/2007)
- Important Notice For TFL Beneficiaries
- SBP Annuities Rise for Certain Beneficiaries
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News Briefs (04/03/2007)
- AUSA President Meets with DoD Health Affairs Nominee
- Bill to Improve Education Benefits for Veterans Introduced
- DOD Investigates Reports of myPay Hacking
- County Veteran Service Officers Can Help Veterans Obtain Benefits
- AAFES Building Stronger Exchange Benefit
- DeCa Announces Best Commissary Nominees
- VFW Calls VA Claims Process Broken
- VA Offers Claims Expediting Advice
- More Third Tier Drugs
- Explanations of Benefits to be Limited by TRICARE for Life
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Legislation to End DIC/SBP Offset Introduced
Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Rep. Henry Brown, R-S.C., introduced legislation last week that would end the deduction of VA-paid dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities.
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News Briefs* (03/06/2007)
- Army introduces new pin for retired Soldiers
- How the National Defense Authorization Act could affect retired Soldiers and families
- Proposals that were NOT in the final 2007 NDAA
- SBP annuities to increase with May check
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News Briefs (02/28/2007)
- Premium Conversion Bill Reintroduced
- COLA Still in Negative Territory
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News Briefs (02/21/2007)
Panel Pushes Mail Order Pharmacy
Administration Seeks New VA Means Test
Bill Would Block Tricare Fee Hikes
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News Briefs (02/20/2007)
- New Law Puts More Pressure on VA to Protect Against ID Theft
- TRICARE Explores New Benchmark for Prescription Drug
- DoD and VA Announce Plans for Joint Inpatient Electronic Record System
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News Briefs (02/16/2007)
- Retirees/Veterans would see Fee Increases in Budget
- New Legislation Spotlight
- Center for the Intrepid Opens
- Military OneSource Offers Free Online Tax Filing
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News Briefs (02/06/2007)
- Another Strong Va Budget Gets Sen. Craig’s Praise
- Retiree TRICARE Fee Hike Looms Again
- Legislators Act Against TRICARE Increases
- VA to Improve Vision Services
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COLA Count in Negative Territory (01/30/2007)
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News Briefs (01/30/2007)
- Military Channel Wants Stories from War on Terrorism
- Common Health Record System on Tap for DoD, VA
- DoD Highlights Military Family Support
- VA Health Care Tops Private Sector Again
- Disabled Retiree "Back Tax" Bill Renewed
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News Briefs (01/19/2007)
- Veterans Insurance Dividends Coming
- Commissaries Push Paper Over Plastic
- VA Benefits Update
- TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy
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Military Healthcare Task Force Announced (01/05/2007)
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News Briefs (12/27/2006)
- CRSC/CRDP Open Season On Tap
- Navy to Slash More Medical Billets
- Congress Passes Stolen Valor Act
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President Bush Signs Craig's Veterans Bill into Law (12/27/2006)
On Friday President George Bush signed into law a $3.2 billion comprehensive benefits and health care bill for veterans sponsored by U.S. Senator Larry Craig, the outgoing chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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Medical/Dental Benefits for National Guard and Reserve Retirees and Their Families
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News Briefs
Retiree News Briefs - December 2006
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Tricare Launches Revamped Web Site (11/16/2006)
The Tricare Web site has a new name, a new look and a new home.
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News Briefs (11/03/2006)
Retiree News Briefs - November 2006
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Retroactive Disability Payments Coming (11/03/2006)
According to Defense Department and Veterans’ Affairs (VA) sources, some disabled retirees due retroactive pay could
start to see their payments in mid-October if all goes as planned.
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News Briefs (10/19/2006)
Retiree News Briefs - October 2006
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Be Aware of myPay Look-a-Likes (09/27/2006)
DFAS-Denver myPay officials have advised all DoD organizations and members to beware of copycat or look-a-like websites being developed to make people think they are accessing official sites.
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Medicare Costs Increasing--Sharply for Some (09/21/2006)
Part B premiums under the Medicare program will increase to $93.50 per month in 2007 from the current $88.50 for most Medicare enrollees.
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VA Computer Recovered (09/15/2006)
A computer stolen in early August from a private contractor containing the names, Social Security numbers and other personal information of approximately 16,000 veterans has been recovered and a 21 year old man, Khalil Abdullah-Raheem, has been arrested.
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“Victory For Veterans” As Court Brings Back Judges (09/07/2006)
Chief Judge William Greene, Jr., of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, has called up two retired federal judges to help the court deal with an unprecedented number of pending appeals
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All Old Veteran Identification Cards And Patient Identification Cards To Be Replaced (09/07/2006)
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that VA health care facilities are beginning an aggressive campaign to assure that enrolled veterans with old versions of its ID cards are issued the new Veterans Identification Card (VIC).
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News Briefs - September 2006
Retiree News Briefs - September 2006
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DFAS: Update Your Accounts (08/25/2006)
The Defense Accounting and Finance Service (DFAS) is reminding military retirees and annuitants to review their pay account status to ensure all information is up-to-date.
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The Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) (06/14/2006)
The Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP), now in its sixteenth year, remains popular with Soldiers who have decided to retire or separate from the Army.
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Letter to Veterans from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Washington
Letter to Veterans from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Washington
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Recruiting Incentive Pays Retirees $1,000 Referral Bonus (06/05/2006)
Army retirees can earn a $1,000 lump sum payment for making a referral who enlists, completes basic training, and graduates from advanced individual training.
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VA Announces up to 26.5 million VA Records Stolen (05/23/2006)
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced 22 May that the home of a VA data analyst who took home electronic data from VA containing identifying information including names, social security numbers, and dates of birth for up to 26.5 million veterans and some spouses was burglarized and this data stolen.
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DAV Disavows Phone Solicitations
Disabled American Veterans has advised its members that unauthorized financial solicitations are being made via telephone in Charlotte and Sarasota Counties in Florida.
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DoD Promotes TMOP
The Defense Department pays less for drugs that beneficiaries purchase through the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy (TMOP) than it does for medicines bought through the retail network pharmacy system.
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TRICARE Retiree Dental Premiums Rise (05/09/2006)
Some military retirees will see a slight reduction in their monthly net pay beginning May 1, due to an increase in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) premium.
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TRICARE Files Compromised
The Department of Defense announced April 28 that routine monitoring detected unusual activity on one of the TRICARE Management Activity's (TMA) public servers.
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SBP Boost in May 1 Checks
Approximately 175,000 recipients of military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities will see an increase in their monthly payments deposited on May 1, 2006.
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Cold War Medal Resurfaces
The House version of last year's fiscal 2006 National Defense Authorization Bill contained provisions for a Cold War medal, but a joint conference committee struck it out.
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Panel Seeks to Stop TRICARE Hikes
On April 26, House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee Chairman John McHugh, R-N.Y., moved to block a Defense Department scheme to double and triple the costs of TRICARE for military retirees under age 65
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DoD Proposes Tripling of TRICARE Fees (02/23/2006)
The plan if adopted would triple for officers and double for enlisted retirees the TRICARE Prime annual enrollment fees.
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What Military Beneficiaries Need to Know About the New Medicare Part D Pharmacy Program (12/01/2005)
TRICARE and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are providing Medicare Part D educational and enrollment information to TRICARE beneficiaries eligible for Medicare's new prescription drug coverage.
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More Medications Moved to DOD’s Third Formulary Tier (12/01/2005)
Additional medications will be placed either on the first or second co-payment tier (formulary) or the third co-payment tier (known as nonformulary drugs) beginning in 2006.
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Co-Payments for VA Prescriptions to Raise $1 (12/01/2005)
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that co-payments charged for prescription drugs will increase by $1 on Jan. 1, 2006. The $8 fee does not apply to everyone, however.
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VA Backs Off Review of Veterans Receiving PTSD Compensation (12/01/2005)
Veterans receiving disability compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder can breathe a little easier.
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Permanent ID Cards for Those 75 and Older (12/01/2005)
Recent legislation allows for the issuance of a permanent ID card to eligible family members and former spouses who are 75 or older.
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Open Enrollment
Retirees who previously elected not to enroll fully in SBP an opportunity to now enroll during the SBP and RCSBP open enrollment period.
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SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN 2005
The 2005 National Defense Authorization Act included these BIG changes to the Survivor Benefit Plan.
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TRICARE Pharmacy: Uniform Formulary
The Uniform Formulary (UF) process establishes a new cost share of $22 per prescription, in both mail order and retail pharmacy services, for medications that are being designated as non-formulary under the UF regulation.
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Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) Program, and Concurrent Retirement and Disability Program (CRDP)
Until recently, military retirees with disabilities waved their regular retired pay to receive Veterans Administration (VA) disability compensation. This system has been unique to military retirement, since all other Federal service retirees are entitled to receive their full regular retirement compensation and disability compensation.
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