Readers of Tom Philpott’s Military Update column sound off.

Mail Order Needs to be More 'Customer Friendly'

In a recent column, Military Update reported that after “a year-long marketing campaign, the number of beneficiaries using [TRICARE] mail order rose by only 11 percent.” What it failed to mention is that mail order co-pays for some drugs skyrocketed by 300 percent in some areas last year.

I use mail order whenever possible for medicines to treat high blood pressure, cholesterol, trigeminal neuralgia and depression. Other drugs, for pain management (100-percent disabled veteran) I have to get locally.

Why?

Florida had a big scandal recently about prescription narcotics being given too freely by unscrupulous doctors who were into pain management for the money. My pain medicine is prescribed now for 30 days at a time and usually no refill is allowed without having the doctor authorize it.

I don’t wish to drive 15 miles to the Navy Hospital, wait for up to two hours and drive back. Also, military pharmacists will not contact your doctor for a refill so each time one is needed I have to get a new prescription.

Neither do I wish to use the local commercial pharmacy.  

However there is no provision to fill a 30-day or even 60-day prescription of pain medication, and then contact doctors to authorize a refill, through either the local military pharmacy or by mail order.

So there are still gaps in the Mail Order program. Being more “customer friendly” is all it would take to get hundreds of thousands more mail order users.

GAYLE HAMBLIN
Pensacola, Fla.

I have been negligent about switching my prescription business from a local outlet to TRICARE Mail Order. How do I accomplish that transfer?

SARA PRINCE
Montgomery, Ala.

You can visit Express-Scripts.com online to register or you can call a toll free number for details and assistance. The phone number in the United States is 866-363-8667. Outside the United States, call toll free 866-275-4732. – Tom Philpott

VA ASSISTED LIVING

I was watching CBS Evening News on Feb. 23 and the segment was on a benefit the moderator said most veterans are unaware of. The benefit was assisted living assistance. Have you ever heard of this? What would be the most direct route to find out about this?

GERALD STONE
Tacoma, Wash.

The Department of Veterans Affairs refers to its assisted living program as Community Residential Care (CRC). It is one of a spectrum of services available under VA long-term care programs.

To be eligible for CRC, which veterans themselves pay for, you typically need to be enrolled in the VA medical system. CRC provides room, board, assistance with activities of daily living and supervision, as needed. Case management will be provided by the local VA Facility.

CRC is for veterans who do not need hospital or nursing home care but who are unable to live independently because of medical or conditions and have no suitable family to provide needed supervision and supportive care. Veterans in CRC must be capable of taking care of themselves with minimal assistance. CRC settings will vary from a small family home to larger, more formal residential facilities.

As mentioned, CRC isn’t free. Veterans pay most of the cost. VA only covers the cost of administration and clinical services such as inspection of the home and periodic visits by VA health professionals.

The best source for you to determine CRC availability is the Social Work Department at your nearest VA facility. If you don’t know what facility that might be, contact your VA regional office at: 1-800-827-1000.

Here’s is a full list of VA geriatric services. – T. P.

COALITION FAN

The Military Coalition speaks for me in opposing TRICARE fee increases. I have just retired and the bottom seems about to pulled from under me regarding TRICARE Standard and fee increases.

After all that is being required of National Guard members now, to say nothing of the burden the active side is bearing, the Department of Defense does not need to be rocking the boat with our healthcare.

As career advisor for my unit, I had a hard enough time convincing young airmen to make a long-term commitment. Now DoD is making it even less appealing. Not a good move!

J.S. TREADWELL
Master Sergeant, ANG-Ret.
Via e-mail

I am so pleased to know there are people like Col. Steve Strobridge and The Military Coalition (TMC) “out there” protecting us from the real evil-doers of the United States, the politicians.

The column on TMC representatives [appearing before the Task Force on the Future of Military Healthcare] was interesting, informative and refreshing. I can sleep better knowing that the TMC is there for us.

KARL CORSER
Master Sergeant, USAF-Ret.
Via e-mail

Why is it that the only way to fix a problem regarding military personnel and veterans is to band-aid it?

As military member retires, it seems to me, their fee for enrolling in TRICARE should be a certain dollar amount set for that year. Every year thereafter the retiree would see that amount go up some percentage that is less than the retiree’s annual cost-of-living raise.

Joe Shmoes who retire after the last annual fee increase would be charged the new amount and have annual adjustment thereafter the same as I described. In this way, no one is burdening the taxpayer by not paying his or her fair share and this would keep the cost-value balance the same as the day the member retired.

FRANK DOERING
USN-Ret.
Burlington, Wash.

Letters may be edited for clarity or length.  Write to Military Forum, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA  20120-1111, send e-mail to militaryforum@aol.com or visit www.militaryupdate.com