PERSONAL AFFAIRS
GENERAL
Both MOAA and the local Chapter provides information, assistance, and
counseling to our members concerning Personal Affairs. This subject
includes such topics as:
Military Retiree Benefits and Pay (for both Regular and Reserve
components)
Spouse/Survivors Benefits
Health Care
Veterans Benefits http://www.tricare.osd.mil/tfl/tflcostmatrix_b.html
In addition, the Chapter can provide information and assistance concerning State programs and benefits, and local information such as obtaining ID cards, filling prescriptions, etc.
The REAL EXPERTs in these subjects are located on the staff of National MOAA -- but they are only a telephone call away. The toll free number, 1-800-234-MOAA (800-234-6622) connects you to the Member Services Center for the Association. When you reach the Center, and explain your question, problem, etc., you will be connected with someone who can provide an answer. It should be noted that, although this office is located in the Eastern time zone, the staff responds to calls up to about 3:00 p.m. Pacific time.
You may also go the the MOAA web site and obtain much information just by browsing the subject headings, or you can post a specific question under the online help function. The address for the Benefits Information page is: http://www.moaa.org/BenefitsInfo/
If you want to discuss a personal affairs matter in person, or you have a question that is local in nature (e.g., California State benefits and programs, then you should contact the Chapter Personal Affairs Chairman, CDR William Manes, at (949) 248-7696 or e-mail Bill Manes.
TRICARE FOR LIFE (TFL) BENEFITS
For an update on TFL benefits, recommend go to the website:
http://www.tricare.osd.mil/tfl/tflcostmatrix_b.html
MOAA's BENEFITS INFORMATION UPDATE - April 2005
Item 1 - Advance Care Planning
To ensure your desires are known all adults should execute a living will (also
known as an advance directive or a health care directive). Recent events have
shown the need for adults of all ages to discuss their wishes about end-of-life
care with their families, and then put those wishes down in writing. If you are
interested in creating a state-specific living will, visit the web site of the
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization:
http://moaaonline.org/ct/-pzJiAK1CX_5/Caring
Click on the first selection, End of Life Care: Advanced Care Planning. This
action will bring up a State-specific downloadable Advance Directive Form,
customized for your state of residence.
Although it may be painful to discuss these issues, we owe it to ourselves and
our loved ones to set aside time to have this discussion, and make our wishes
known. As a recent court case demonstrated, we all need to do this. Show that
you care by executing your living will today!
Item 2 - TRICARE Reserve Select
TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) is a Congressionally authorized premium-based
health coverage plan for Guardsmen, Reservists, and their families. This plan
allows eligible servicemembers to purchase military health insurance coverage (TRICARE)
similar to active duty coverage under TRICARE Standard and Extra plans. TRS
coverage begins following the exhaustion of the 180 day TAMP benefit after the
servicemember has been released from active duty in exchange for a commitment to
continued service in the Guard or Reserve.
MOAA has now provided information concerning the rules for the new TRICARE
Reserve Select program, which will go into effect on April 26, 2005. The
information is available on our web base at:
http://moaaonline.org/ct/JdzJiAK1CX_g/TRSelect.
MOAA will also offer a Mediplus TRS supplement to provide coverage for
cost-shares up to the annual TRS catastrophic cap, as well as excess charges
(which cannot be applied to the cap). This supplement can help limit your
out-of-pocket expenses. For more information on MOAA's supplement, call (800)
247-2192; visit
http://moaaonline.org/ct/J7zJiAK1CX_b/MOAA-Insure, or e-mail
moaa@marshpm.com. The supplement will
be available May 1, 2005.
General Questions: MOAA's Member Service Center and Benefits Information
Experts. You may call (800) 234-MOAA (6622); visit
http://moaaonline.org/ct/J1zJiAK1CX_t/Home, or e-mail
msc@moaa.org
.
Eligibility Questions: Your reserve component personnel office, unit personnel
office, or
http://moaaonline.org/ct/D1zJiAK1CX_O/Eligibility.
Enrollment and Benefits: TRICARE Regional Contractor. You may visit
http://moaaonline.org/ct/JpzJiAK1CX_6/Tricare or call (888) TRIWEST in the
West region.
[Copyright 2005, The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), all rights
reserved. Part or all of this message may be retransmitted for information
purposes, but may not be used for any commercial purpose or in any commercial
product, posted on a Web site, or used in any non-MOAA publication (other than
that of a MOAA affiliate, or a member of The Military Coalition) without the
written permission of MOAA. All retransmissions, postings, and publications of
this message must include this notice.]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM PREVIOUS NOTICES
Veterans' New ID Cards Helps Battle Identity Theft
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) designed a new identity card for
veterans to safeguard confidential information. The card, known as the
Veterans Identification Card (VIC), will have the veterans' photos on the
front and identify them as enrollees in the VA's health care system. The
card includes the words "service connected" under the photo if the veteran
has a service-connected disability. Veterans can request the new card at
their local medical center. The processing will take five to seven days once
eligibility is verified. The veterans' existing card remains valid until the
new card is received.
DFAS Tax Statements Schedule
Military members, retirees/annuitants and Department of Defense (DFAS)
civilian employees will once again have access to view, save and print their
tax statements from myPay at https://mypay.dfas.mil. Effective September 17,
2003, all current myPay active/reserve military users and DFAS civilian
employees who request or already have a myPay Personal Identification Number
(PIN) and access myPay are consenting to receive only an electronic W-2.
They may elect to receive a hardcopy W-2, however, there is a "no change"
period that runs from December 1 through January 31 of each tax season.
Support the Troops
Although the Defense Department discourages unsolicited mail as a method of
supporting the troops, many alternatives exist. For example, organizations
such as the services' relief societies, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the
American Red Cross, the Armed Forces YMCA and the United Service Organizations
are accepting donations to pay for care packages. Donors can contribute to the
USO via phone at 1 (800) 876-7469 or online at http://www.uso.org.
The Pastoral Services Department at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center is
currently accepting donations to support the wounded troops. Call for specific
need items at 06371-86-8399/ DSN 486-8143 or send cash donations to:
USAREUR Chaplains Fund
Commander, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
Attn: MCEUL-CH/Chaplains Office
CMR 402 APO AE09180
Last modified: 06/18/08