washington scene
Guard/Reserve health care
Promote the availability of TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) coverage, and seek enactment of legislation to give Selected Reservists the option of having the government subsidize continuation of civilian health care coverage during call-ups — just as the government already provides up to 24 months of Federal Employees Health Benefits Program premium coverage for activated federal workers. Seek Government Accountability Office review of TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) enrollment and outreach procedures and explanation of rates for reservists with TRS who roll over immediately into TRR.
Pharmacy issues
Work with DoD and Congress to maintain a comprehensive uniform pharmacy benefit with a robust formulary that preserves beneficiary options to obtain specific pharmaceuticals determined necessary by their providers. Promote positive incentives (e.g., reduce or eliminate mail-order copayments) for TRICARE beneficiaries to use the less-expensive home-delivery system. MOAA will strive to maximize beneficiary choice, minimize beneficiary costs, and help educate beneficiaries and providers to make the best use of the various TRICARE pharmacy options.
Pretax health premium payments/FSAs
Continue to pursue DoD implementation of flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to allow active duty and Selected Reserve members to pay out-of-pocket health and dependent care expenses with pretax dollars. Authorize pretax payment of TRICARE Prime enrollment fees and premiums for TRICARE supplemental, long term care, and TRICARE dental insurance. Pretax premium payment is a standard part of virtually all other federal and private-sector benefit packages, and military beneficiaries should have the same option.
VA/DoD collaboration
Full funding of VA care is as important as that for defense programs. Future budgets must properly account for expected long-term physical and mental health care needs of the rising number of injured and disabled veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as veterans who served in earlier conflicts. DoD and the VA need to strengthen their collaborative efforts in delivering long-term medical and benefit counseling and support services for survivors and families of the severely injured. MOAA will continue to be watchful against any new initiative that would force dual-eligible beneficiaries to choose between the DoD and VA health systems solely as a cost-saving measure.
Additionally, women are joining the military ranks in higher numbers than at any other time in our nation’s history. DoD and the VA must step up their efforts to increase capacity and continue to improve medical, mental health, and service capabilities to meet the unique needs of this population.
Retired Pay and Survivor Issues
Military retirement changes
MOAA will strive to ensure the military retirement system continues to provide compensation at a level commensurate with the extraordinary demands and sacrifices inherent in a career of uniformed service. MOAA will engage the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission and resist initiatives aimed at “civilianizing” the military retirement system by delaying the age at which full retired pay and medical benefits are provided or initiatives aimed at reducing benefits for those who serve a career to fund increased separation or vesting benefits for those who choose to leave.
JANUARY 2014 MILITARY OFFICER 45
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92