July 22, 2008
1. Congress Overrides Presidential Veto to Pass Medicare Bill
2. VA Announces Online Claims Applications
3. Admiral Mullen Opens 2008 NG Family Training Conference
4. Dr. Casscells Asks for Your Input for Health Care Improvement
5. Army Lengthens Family Time with Newborns, Newly Adopted
6. NMFA Attends Preventive Health Care for Children Conference
7. TRICARE Covers New "Back" Surgeries
8. Reunion and Reintegration Focus of Webcast
1. Congress Overrides Presidential Veto to Pass Medicare Bill:
On July 15th, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act
of 2008 (H.R. 6331) became Public Law No: 110-275. The law prevents a
scheduled 10.6 percent cut to physician payment rate for 18 months and
creates a 1.1 percent payment increase in 2009. For the complete text
go to: http://thomas.loc.gov/.
The National Military Family Association (NMFA) has been
following this bill closely because of its impact on TRICARE
beneficiaries. Last week, H.R. 6331 had passed both Congressional
chambers and was presented to President George W. Bush on July 7th. On
July 15th, as promised by President Bush, he vetoed the bill because of
the inclusion to cut the Medicare Advantage program that he opposed.
Congress immediately took action to successfully override President
Bush's veto. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act
of 2008 became law on that very same day.
2. VA Announces Online Claims Applications:
Last week, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that
online applications are now accepted from veterans, survivors, and
other claimants filing initial applications for disability
compensation, pension, education, and vocational rehabilitation and
employment benefits without the additional requirement to submit a
signed paper copy of the application. Effective immediately, VA will
now process applications received through its online application
website (VONAPP) without the claimant's signature. The electronic
application will be sufficient authentication of the claimant's
application for benefits. Normal development procedures and rules of
evidence will still apply to all VONAPP applications.
The online application also provides a link to apply for VA health care benefits and much more. To access VONAPP go to: www.va.gov/onlineapps.htm.
For more information about VA benefits, go to VA's website at http://www.va.gov/ or call the toll-free number at 
1-800-827-1000
.
(Source: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1529)
3. Admiral Mullen Opens 2008 NG Family Training Conference:
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen,
addressed almost 1,500 participants of the National Guard Bureau (NGB)
Joint Family Program Volunteer Workshop and Youth Symposium in St.
Louis this week. The annual conference, being held from July 20th
through the 23rd, offers training for volunteers and staff members who
serve the families of the National Guard. In his remarks, Admiral
Mullen offered his thanks to the volunteers and families for their
support of the Soldiers and Airmen of the National Guard and recognized
how they and their service members are an important link to the
communities of America. He also remarked on the challenges facing
family support and how the military uses those support resources. In
what he called "this time of change" he cited the need for commanders
to stress to their service members the importance of keeping their
families connected to all available resources. He applauded the
volunteers in the room as vital leaders, but reminded them to take care
of themselves as they cared for others and to "recruit your relief."
The audience was very appreciative of the Chairman's remarks and the
opportunity to ask questions at the end of his talk.
This year's conference also spotlights a change in title of the NGB
family program it will now be called the Joint Family Program in light
of their new tasking of supporting family members of all the services
and components through the state Joint Family Assistance centers. This
jointness was emphasized by the attendance of family support staff
members of other reserve component family programs. The conference
continues with breakout sessions addressing the myriad of issues
affecting National Guard families in all stages of deployment. The
conference also marks the changing of the guard as COL Tony Baker,
longtime chief of family programs, hands his duties to COL Martha Wong.
NMFA thanks COL Baker and his wife Della for their service to National
Guard families and welcomes COL Wong and looks forward to working with
her.
4. Dr. Casscells Asks for Your Input for Health Care Improvement:
On a recent Military Health System (MHS) blog, the Department of
Defense's Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, S. Ward
Casscells, MD, wrote (July 9th) about "Finding a Doctor." Dr. Casscells
decided to use his blog to assist military families in finding a
"great" doctor. He stated "choosing a doctor is not a casual decision"
and provided a "foolproof system" to find one. Dr. Casscells provided a
running commentary on what you should do. Here is a short list:
- Have the ability to pick your own doctor
- Know the doctor's interests
- Know the doctor's ratings
- Doctors should possess certain traits, such as provide quality care, treat me with respect, conscientious, and listen
Dr. Casscells recommended paying attention to the doctor's staff
when you call and during your visits because of the saying "birds of a
feather." He also stressed, it is not a marriage between you and the
doctor. If you're disappointed, then request/find another doctor until
you are satisfied.
Dr. Casscells wants to know what the MHS could do better, "so that
everyone can find a doctor they trust." Please take the time to read
his blog at:
http://www.health.mil/MHSBlog/Article.aspx?ID=297 and make your suggestions.
NMFA is pleased that Dr. Casscells is taking on this important
issue. Frequent military moves coupled with the deployment of our
military providers have changed the landscape within our Military
Treatment Facilities (MTFs). We often hear of the difficulties gaining
access to our MTFs and issues surrounding the referral process. NMFA
would appreciate if you would also share your recommendations for what
needs to done to improve the MHS with us at: families@nmfa.org.
5. Army Lengthens Family Time with Newborns, Newly Adopted:
Last week, the Army announced a policy change that will lengthen the
current deployment deferment period to six months for military mothers
of newborns and certain military parents adopting a child.
Effective August 1st, 2008, Army mothers of newborns and certain
Soldiers adopting a child will be able to stay home two months longer
before being assigned on a permanent change of station to a
dependent-restricted overseas tour, accompanied overseas tour where
concurrent travel is denied, temporary duty away from their home
station, or on a deployment.
This expanded policy applies to a Soldier who is a new mother, to a
single Soldier who adopts a child, or to one member of a dual-military
couple who adopts a child, with the deferment period beginning the date
the child is placed in the home as part of the formal adoption process.
Soldiers who are currently on a postpartum deferment that will end
prior to August 1st will follow the four-month deferment guidelines;
however, commanders are encouraged to grant a longer deferment period
when operationally feasible. Soldiers who are on a deferment on August
1st will be eligible to extend from their current four-month deferment
to the expanded six-month deferment; the Soldier may waive this
extension.
6. NMFA Attends Preventive Health Care for Children Conference:
On May 28 - 29th, a member of the National Military Family Association
(NMFA) attended a two-day conference regarding family and community
issues held by Family Voices in Chicago, IL. Over 13 organizations from
around the country that represent a wide range of family and community
issues were in attendance. The reason for the meeting was to provide
attendees with information regarding Bright Futures (a resource guide
for children's good health); learn about other's activities and
initiatives; and to begin a dialogue on ways to share ideas and
collaborate efforts on promoting family health care issues.
A key partner in implementing Bright Futures was the American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP has been working in partnership
with the federal government's Maternal and Child Health Bureau on the
Bright Futures initiative. Bright Futures is built on the principle
that every child deserves to be healthy and their materials stress the
crucial role the family plays in preventative health care for children.
The AAP recently released new material on Bright Futures titled, The Bright Futures Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents.
NMFA often speaks about the importance of military family members
partnering with their health care providers. We encourage TRICARE
Management Activity to adopt Bright Futures initiatives as their
standard of care for our military children. More information on Bright
Futures is available online at: http://www.brightfutures.aap.org/.
7. TRICARE Covers New Back Surgeries:
The Department of Defense's TRICARE Management Activity announced July
8th they will be covering new back surgeries. TRICARE beneficiaries who
have been diagnosed with fractured vertebrae qualify for percutaneous
vertebroplsy and kyphoplasty. The policy change is retroactive to March
1, 2007.
Traditional treatment for this condition was bed rest along with
anti-inflammatory medication for approximately three months, followed
by spinal fusion surgery if the patient's pain/discomfort did not
improve. These new treatments are done on an outpatient basis with the
patient returning to a relatively normal condition within 24 hours.
Beneficiaries must seek approval from their provider before seeking
surgery. Questions about this procedure and its coverage can be
provided by your health care provider and http://www.tricare.mil/ for additional information.
(Source: http://www.tricare.mil/pressroom/news.aspx?fid=425).
8. Reunion and Reintegration Focus of Webcast: This week's episode will be the conclusion of last week's story on army wife Kim Roy and her family.
After the story, there will be a live moderated discussion with
Kim's husband, Justin, as well as Virginia Ruehrwein, the Director of
Youth and Community Outreach at the Armed Services YMCA of San Diego.
Barbara Schochet from The Soldiers Project will also join the webcast.
The discussion features a groundbreaking component where viewers can
join the webcast using their web cameras from their homes or offices.
Just send a video skype or video instant message to itbmac5 and you can ask your question live.
Log on to http://www.intheirboots.com/ on Wednesday, July 23rd at 7pm Eastern (4pm Pacific) to watch the fourth live webcast of IN THEIR BOOTS.
