Benefits

LVMAC Tidbit: Should You Be On The “Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit” Registry?

You may not be aware of the fact that the VA maintains an “Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry” to allow eligible veterans and service members to document their exposures and report health concerns through an online questionnaire.  Like its cousin, the Agent Orange Registry, it is often the first step towards VA long-term healthcare; and also in recognizing service related illnesses and diseases, to include making some presumptive.  (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: VA Revises Regulations on Reimbursement for Emergency Treatment of Veterans

[Editor’s Note:  The following is a press release from the VA partially correcting what has been a longstanding problem related to emergency care received outside of the VA.]

WASHINGTON — Today [10 January 2018] the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it has, through a Federal Register notice, revised its regulations concerning payment or reimbursement for emergency treatment for non-service connected conditions at non-VA facilities. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer: VA’s RAMP Is Bad News – Do Not File a Claim This Way!

LVMAC Poster Art 2005On 29 January 2018, the Ms. Kelsey Yoon, the national director for the Veterans Benefits Program (VBP) of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), wrote the state councils of her organization to provide general guidance on the Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP) put in place by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as one of the means to produce faster turnaround times for compensation claims, thereby reducing the backlog continuing to plague the VA.  The letter was disturbing, and we believe it important to spread word of its contents to a wider audience, since it may affect you or one of your loved ones.  The following is an extracted from her letter: (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

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…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center to Conduct Town Hall in Lehigh Valley

The Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center is returning on 14 June 2017 to conduct its third Community Town Hall in the area since the establishment of the quarterly requirement a couple of years back.  It is part of an attempt by the VA to regain the trust among the veterans it serves.  Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center services 19 counties, to include one in New York.  The service area requires distributing the quarterly meetings over a wide area or we would have more of these useful events.  For details, see: (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — VA Now Offers Advanced Eligibility Determinations for Internment at Its Cemeteries

VA LogoOn 8 December, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it now provides eligibility determinations for interment in a VA national cemetery prior to the time of need. Through the “Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility Program”, upon request, individuals can learn if they are eligible for burial or memorialization in a VA national cemetery.  This change was made to assist veterans and their families in planning their burial needs better and may help reduce part of the burden on survivors at the time of death.  The requirement to make arrangements at a VA operated cemetery at the time of need remains – plots are not reserved. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago