Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit: Did You Know Your TRICARE PRIME Primary Care Manager May Have Changed?
The Department of Defense has announced there are now only two TRICARE Regions as of 1 January 2018. The North and South Regions have combined to form the new TRICARE East Region, while the West Region remains mostly the same. Humana Military is the new regional contractor for TRICARE East, and Health Net Federal Services, LLC, is managing TRICARE West. Originally, Health Net Federal Services managed our area.
Why are we mentioning this? While some of you using TRICARE Prime may have been notified already – and Humana has stated that during the transition you will be able to see your new or previously assigned Primary Care Manager (PCM) – the transition period is not stated upfront, and a change of PCM may have already been made for you. That should be worth your finding out now, according to one of Healthcare in Our Community Co-Chairs, Alexander Alex. (more…)
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit: DMVA Announces Veterans Trust Fund NOFA
[Editor’s Note: Considering the holiday season is upon us, the release of the Veterans’ Trust Fund’s “Notice of Funding Availability” with its grant application package yesterday leaves a short turnaround cycle for application. Please note that the suspense for submission is 18 January at 3 p.m.]
From: MV, Veterans Trust Fund
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2017 3:54 PM
Subject: 2017-18 Veterans’ Trust Fund Grant
The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce the availability of another cycle of Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF) grant opportunities. The attached 2017-18 VTF Grant Application Package includes the funding announcement as well as the application, combined into one convenient document this year. (more…)
Tidbits
LVMAC Tdibit: White House VA Hotline Now Operational and Properly Staffed
On 29 November 2017, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that the White House VA Hotline (first launched in June as part of President Donald J. Trump’s commitment to reforming VA but which also had a shaky start) is now fully staffed with live agents working to serve veterans 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. The actual facility location is in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. (more…)
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit — Veterans ID Card Rolls Out
VA Announces Rollout and Application Process for New Veterans ID Card
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that the application process for the national Veterans Identification Card (VIC) is now available for veterans, an action overdue since 2015 and still causing controversy among some veterans organizations over the implementation of the character of service requirement (unlike the VA, the law excludes practically no one who has served). Currently only those veterans with honorable service will be able to apply for the ID card. However, this is a change from previous statements by others because it means those who have a general discharge (under honorable conditions) can now also apply, in addition to those with honorable discharges/releases. (more…)
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit — A Useful Program for this Time of Year: Operation Ride Home
Jack Daniel’s and the Armed Services YMCA Operation Ride Home program helps bring military families together for the holidays. Operation Ride Home sponsors travel for eligible service members and their dependents to travel from their duty station back home to spend time with their families. Reconnecting military families during this special time of year is one small way Operation Ride Home is strengthening military families. (more…)
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit –VA Photo ID Cards (Proof of Service/Business Discount Cards) for All (Actually Most) Veterans Coming in November | Military.com
A VA official on Wednesday confirmed the cards are on track to be available nationwide starting in November. Source: VA Photo ID Cards for All Veterans Coming in November | Military.com Editor’s Note: This a result of the Veterans Identification Card Act of 2015. The card cannot be used as Read more…
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit — Emergency Mental Health Care Extended to Other-Than-Honorable Dischargees
On 27 June 2017, the VA released its final plans laying the framework for providing emergency mental health coverage to former service members with Other-Than-Honorable (OTH) administrative discharges. For the older generations of veterans, the characterization of service was termed Undesirable.
Effective July 5, all Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical centers are to offer emergency stabilization care for former service members who present at the facility with an emergent mental health need. Under this initiative, former service members with an OTH administrative discharge may receive care for their mental health emergency for an initial period of up to 90 days, which can include inpatient, residential or outpatient care. (more…)
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit — Local Safari Club International Seeks Veterans for a Pheasant Hunt
The Lehigh Valley Chapter of Safari Club International has approached our council to find ten veterans to participate in a pheasant hunt on 4 November 2017, all expenses paid. As previously reported, the council has initiated work on creating a new coalition called the Social-Recreational Confederation. Consequently, the effort to support Safari International is being handled by Tom O’Rourke, its chairman and the veterans outreach coordinator for Team RWB (which is coordinating this new program for us).
For more details, click on the flyer below: (more…)
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit — New VA Gulf War Illness Clinical Trial
Recently the VA announced that it is conducting a clinical trial for veterans suffering from Gulf War Illness. Since some our local veterans may benefit but do not need to travel to San Francisco to participate (all study procedures can be done by phone and mail), we have decided to Read more…