By: Dan Meyer
The office hours for the Lac qui Parle County Veterans Service Office are 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. My office phone number is (320) 598-3445.
Flash News. VA announces the Fall Flu Shot schedule at the Montevideo CBOC, located on 1025 North 13th Street. Flu shots will be given on Wednesday, October 22 from 10:00 a.m. - Noon and 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. and on Monday, October 29 from 10:00 a.m. - Noon and 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
In other news. How does a military veteran obtaining various military records? Our discussion will focus on the veteran's Military Discharge Certificate Form (DD 214). There are resources on the internet that charge to get a copy of a DD 214. These sources have you sign a form to become a legal representative for you. The resources mentioned in this article are FREE of charge.
Almost everything dealing with veterans' benefits require that applicants provide proof of military service. This proof is provided by the discharge certificate or DD 214, which is evidence of their veteran status. This is an extremely important document and must be safeguarded. If you have a copy of your DD 214 keep it in a safe place. Some options are to see your County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) and have them start an official file for you, and have it recorded in your county courthouse. At the very least, be sure to keep it in a safe place and inform a family member or trusted individual on its location.
If you do not have your DD 214, you can contact your CVSO for assistance in obtaining one.
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs maintains discharges for the following veterans: Minnesota WWII veterans who applied for the state bonus, Minnesota Korean veterans who applied for the state bonus, Minnesota Vietnam veterans who applied for the state bonus, and veterans who were discharged from active duty after 1980 and requested that a copy of the DD 214 be sent to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. If you fall into one of these categories, and would like to request a copy of your DD 214, call the receptionist at 651-296-2562.
You may also request your DD 214 from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). There are two methods to request records from the NPRC, filling out a paper Form (SF 180) or electronically via the website at VetsRecs. Your CVSO can assist you with both of these methods. Please ensure that both you and your CVSO have copies of your military discharge certificate or discharge summary.
In the "Did You Know?" segment. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) offers the LinkVet call center provided by trained staff. During business hours, MDVA staff will provide information on veterans’ benefits, healthcare, education, and reintegration. The line will roll to Crisis Connection counselors for 24-hour, seven days a week coverage (including holidays) for immediate crisis intervention and psychological counseling.
Telephone help is available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with referral to Crisis Connection available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week including holidays. The email address in minnesotaveteran.org. Chat is available on-line Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. PLEASE NOTE: When using Chat if you have a medical emergency, please Dial 911 from a phone. Suicide calls are a medical emergency and 911 will be immediately notified. To call on-line support dial 1-888-LinkVet or 1-888-546-5838.
Until next week, take care and "Fair winds and following seas."
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October 5, 2008 - TRICARE Explained
By: Dan Meyer
The office hours for the Lac qui Parle County Veterans Service Office are 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. My office phone number is (320) 598-3445.
Flash News! VA announces the Fall Flu Shot schedule at the Montevideo CBOC. located on 1025 North 13th Street. Wednesday, October 22 from 10:00am - Noon and 1:00pm - 3:00pm. Monday, October 29 from 10:00am - Noon and 1:00pm - 3:00pm.
In other news. If I am a military retiree, how does TRICARE and Medicare effect me? Medicare-eligible uniformed services retirees, their spouses, and survivors who are age 65 and over are entitled to expanded health care benefits, including coverage under TRICARE and pharmacy coverage.
TRICARE beneficiaries who turned 65 before April 1, 2001, may use the pharmacy benefit without being enrolled in Medicare Part B. Those who reached age 65 on or after April 1, 2001, must be enrolled in Medicare Part B to use the pharmacy benefit.
Effective October 1, 2001, under the new law, eligible beneficiaries who continue to receive medical care from their current Medicare providers will have TRICARE as their second payer. TRICARE will pay their out-of-pocket costs for services covered under Medicare and TRICARE. In addition, they have access to TRICARE benefits that may not be covered under Medicare. To continue using TRICARE after age 65, Medicare-eligible beneficiaries must be enrolled in Medicare Part B.
Medicare eligibility begins on the first day of the month in which you turn 65. However, if your 65th birthday falls on the first day of the month, then your Medicare eligibility begins on the first day of the preceding month.
If you are the widow or widower of a service member, and remarry someone outside the uniformed services, you are no longer covered by TRICARE (unless the marriage is annulled, in which case eligibility is reinstated after the annulment). If you remarry a member or former member of the uniformed services entitled to retired or retainer pay you will remain eligible.
Retired reservists, National Guard, and their families are covered by TRICARE after the reservist reaches age 60 and begins to receive retired pay. Check with your BCAC/HBA/TSC on this.
Families of veterans with 100 percent, permanent disability, or of veterans, who died from a service-connected disability, may be covered by CHAMPVA as long as they are not eligible for TRICARE. These veterans -- who left active duty without qualifying for a regular military retirement -- must receive their care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Military retirees who need treatment of service-connected conditions may choose to be treated under TRICARE or to get civilian health care that’s paid for by the VA -- but not both.
If you have questions or concerns? Please e-mail at
benefits@military-inc.com.
In the "Did You Know?" segment. Did you know that enrolling in VA health care for most veterans is done by completing VA Form 10-10EZ and submitting your DD 214 Discharge Papers or its equivalent. Stop by my office and lets check your eligibility status for enrollment. Every year after your enrollment, most veterans must complete VA Form 10-10EZR to maintain their eligibility.
Until next week, take care and "Fair winds and following seas."
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October 17, 2008 - Health Care Benefits -
By: Dan Meyer
The office hours for the Lac qui Parle County Veterans Service Office are 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. My office phone number is (320) 598-3445.
Flash News! VA announces the Fall Flu Shot schedule at the Montevideo CBOC. located on 1025 North 13th Street. Wednesday, October 22 from 10:00am - Noon and 1:00pm - 3:00pm. Wednesday, October 29 from 10:00am - Noon and 1:00pm - 3:00pm.
In other news. Bill to extend Autism benefit for retired military. The "Military Family Autism Equality Act," introduced in the House, provides retired military families with autistic children the same health care benefit as families of active duty servicemembers with children suffering from autism. Active duty servicemembers with an autistic child have access to a benefit through TRICARE that provides $2500 a month for Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), a proven treatment for the symptoms of Autism. This bill would extend the same autism benefits to all military families, whether active or retired.
Five Years of VA Health Care for Combat Veterans. Military veterans who served in combat since Nov. 11, 1998, including veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, are now eligible for five years of free medical care for most conditions from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This measure increases a two-year limit that has been in effect nearly a decade.
The five-year deadline has no effect upon veterans with medical conditions related to their military service. Veterans may apply at any time after their discharge from the military -- even decades later -- for medical care for service-connected health problems.
The new provision, part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 signed by President Bush on Jan. 28, 2008, applies to care in a VA hospital, outpatient clinic or nursing home. It also extends VA dental benefits -- previously limited to 90 days after discharge for most veterans -- to 180 days.
Combat veterans who were discharged between Nov. 11, 1998 and Jan. 16, 2003, and who never took advantage of VA's health care system, have until Jan. 27, 2011 to qualify for free VA health care.
The five-year window is also open to activated Reservists and members of the National Guard, if they served in a theater of combat operations after Nov. 11, 1998 and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
Veterans who take advantage of this five-year window to receive VA health care can continue to receive care after five years, although they may have to pay co-payments for medical problems unrelated to their military service. Co-payments range from $8 for a 30-day supply of prescription medicine to $1,024 for the first 90 days of inpatient care each year.
In the "Did You Know?" segment. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded a grant of up to $723,000 for a dementia unit at the Minnesota State Veterans Home in Luverne. The estimated total construction cost for the Luverne facility's Alzheimer's and Dementia Unit is $1.1 million, with VA's grant designed to fund up to 65 percent of the cost. The State of Minnesota has agreed to complete construction of the renovations within 90 days. For more information about the Luverne veterans home and related Minnesota services for veterans, visit the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs website.
Until next week, take care and "Fair winds and following seas."
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October 24, 2008 - Suicide Prevention Hotline -
The Veterans' Viewpoint. By: Dan Meyer
The office hours for the Lac qui Parle County Veterans Service Office are 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. My office phone number is (320) 598-3445.
Flash News. Suicide Prevention Hotline. Suicide is the 11th most frequent cause of death in the U.S. - someone dies from suicide every 16 minutes. Suicidal ideas and attempts to harm oneself are the result of problems that may seem like they cannot be fixed. Seek professional help - call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and indicate you are a veteran. You will be immediately connected to VA suicide prevention and mental health professionals. Or contact your local VA Medical Center or Vet Center today. For more information, visit the Department of Veterans' Affairs Suicide Prevention webpage.
The VA and I care about you. All veterans including you are our number 1 priority. I have excellent pamphlets concerning suicide and suicide warning signs in my office. Pick up the phone if you are experiencing an emotional crisis and need to talk to a trained VA professional. Don't wait; don't delay call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You'll be immediately connected with a qualified caring provider who can help.
In other news. The Veterans Health Care Reform Bill has been introduced. The House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman recently introduced H.R. 6939. The Veterans Health Care Budget Reform Act, which would ensure that VA health care funding is sufficient, timely and predictable. An identical bill was also introduced in the Senate. H.R. 6939 would authorize Congress to approve VA medical care appropriations one year in advance of the start of each fiscal year.
In addition, the VA would have up to a year's worth of advance appropriations, which would allow them to investigate how to deliver the most efficient and effective care to an increasing number of veterans with increasingly complex medical conditions. The bill would also require the Governmental Accountability Office (GAO) to study and report to Congress for the next three years on VA's budget forecasting model and estimates.
Sweeping Veterans' Mental Health Legislation. S. 2162, the Veterans Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008, passed the Senate by unanimous consent. The bill makes various improvements to veterans' mental health care and other forms of health care, and is a tribute to Iraq war veteran Justin Bailey.
S. 2162's improvements to veterans' mental health care include: doubles the beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement for rural vets, corrects current procedures used by VA to reimburse community hospitals for emergency care, requires a pain care program for all VA inpatient facilities for long-term mental health and substance abuse care, and requires a review of VA facilities to ensure that they are up to par for female veterans.
In the "Did You Know?" segment. Who signed Major Clark Cable's Army discharge papers in 1944? The answer can be found in next week's article.
Until next week, take care and "Fair winds and following seas."
Mon Sep 29, 2008 9:48 am
Did Hap Arnold sign the discharge papers?
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