by Willie
Lowe, Jr.
(This article appeared in Military Magazine, Vol. XIX, No. 8, January 2003 Edition. Reprinted with permission.)
There are many issues that affect veterans, retirees and active duty personnel.
One issue that is high on the list, especially for our aging men and women
who served our nation, is health care.
First, a review of how we got where we are. Amazingly, not all veterans and retirees belong to a veterans or similar association that keeps its members abreast of the health care situation. Since about 1940, the U.S. Government promised, in writing, that we were entitled to medical treatment and hospitalization in retirement. We had health care coverage while on active duty and when our active duty ended the Government provided health care at nearby armed forces health care facilities on a space-available basis for some years.
Those veterans who began a second career were often covered by employers for health care needs and, sometimes, dental care. The Government saved money by not having to pay for our health care during the working years of our lives.
Eventually those who held second jobs or careers retired, and the cost to remain in the employer's health care program was so high, it was not a desirable option. About the same time, bases were being closed to reduce costs. That eliminated the availability of DoD health care for retirees in the vicinity of closed bases; other bases with reduced funding no longer provided health care on a space-available basis.
We usually retire at an age when we are eligible to enter the Social Security program and become eligible for Medicare part A and B. That was often the only option most of us had. In the meantime, the effort to gain the promised "free" health care gained momentum with The Military Coalition, a group of veterans and retiree associations. There are also groups such as the Class Act Group III (32 Beal Parkway SW, Fort Walton Beach, Fl 32548-5391; telephone: 1-800-972-6275) that have filed lawsuits for a refund of our Medicare premiums, and return to full, no-cost health care. That suit is still in progress for those who want to join it.
Veterans did not get the promised free lifetime health care. We got a combined program of continuing our Medicare A and B coverage with "Tricare for Life" (TFL) as a second payee to cover costs that are not covered by Medicare. A beneficiary must cancel any other coverage that he and his spouse have, to be eligible for Tricare.
For us, the Tricare program began on 1 October, 2001. We had to register with DEERS (800-538-9552) and provide data they needed for registration. Spouses need a current DoD Dependents' ID card, which can be renewed at their nearest base, or with other armed forces facilities.
Eligible beneficiaries should call the TFL customer care center (888-363-5433) to be certain they are in the TFL system and to inform TFL when they cancelled their former coverage. Many eligible beneficiaries are now being covered with the combined TFL system.
There are some veterans who have decided not to use TFL, but may choose to do so later on. I have found that, in some cases, widows did not even know of the availability of TFL. Their husbands did not belong to an association that would have provided the information, or were too sick to give any attention at all.
It would be helpful if we all would ensure that spouses of deceased retirees are aware of TFL and how they can become beneficiaries, if they choose, to save on health care costs.
It is important that we each bear responsibility to ensure we get the "Medicare Summary Notice" for each treatment, as well as the TFL "Explanation of Benefits" form. These forms should be checked carefully to ensure that the information on them is correct for each treatment. If they are incorrect, call the toll-free numbers on the form. It is our duty to prevent fraud as well as to ensure payments go to the correct provider for our treatment in a timely manner.
We "oldtimers" are not as well covered as our younger, active-duty personnel. Their needs are most important while serving on active duty to be fit for all assignments including combat when needed. Yet, as we age, we also need health care coverage for things like chiropractic care, which can prevent some costly operations.
In addition, because we didn't have adequate ear protection when we fired weapons--often using some cotton, or nothing at all--our hearing diminishes with age. Ear specialists say this was brought on by the lack of ear protection in our younger, active duty years.
We will only get such coverage by communicating the causes and needs with those in Congress and the White House.
Beneficiaries who live near base medical facilities usually are able to get prescriptions filled at no cost. If the medication is not available at the base facilities, then those with TFL can obtain most prescriptions through the National Mail Order Pharmacy (telephone: 1-800-903-4680) at a very reasonable co-payment. Most local pharmacies may also be used with TFL.
TFL is broken down into regions in the U.S. The TFL Customer Care Center can furnish information for your region of the U.S.I am hopeful this brief rundown will provide some helpful guidelines to those who are, or who desire to be, enrolled in TFL. We have found the services and medications great. There are some glitches on the Medicare and TFL forms, but they should be smoothed out in a reasonable time as they are notified of the errors.
If that does not resolve the problem, contact The Military Coalition with your specific errors (Web site: www.themilitarycoalition.org) or, as a last resort, contact your congressperson.