Category Archives: Benefits

Tricare Help: Can I still get on-base care under Tricare for Life?

Q. I will get Medicare and Tricare for Life on Dec. 1. I live near an Air Force base and have been getting most of my health care from specialists there. I know that under Tricare for Life, I need … Continue reading

Posted in Benefits | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Veteran-owned businesses face problems with VA

Lawmakers grilled Veterans Affairs Department officials Wednesday about why veteran-owned businesses ranked eighth in priority for government contracts despite laws and regulations that are supposed to put veterans first.

Posted in Benefits | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Senators slam VA on mental health appointments

Concerned with continuing problems faced by veterans in obtaining timely mental health care appointments, senators plan to ask the Veterans Affairs Department’s Inspector General to examine the issue and requested that VA conduct a complete audit of the $5.7 billion … Continue reading

Posted in Benefits | Tagged | Leave a comment

Key lawmakers support Obama military pay review

Two key senators are backing the White House’s call for a presidential commission to recommend an overhaul of military retired pay and health care benefits.

Posted in Benefits | Tagged | Leave a comment

Senators seek answers on VA mental health waits

The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee wants to know why nearly a third of veterans seeking mental health care at Veterans Affairs Department facilities wait longer than 14 days — and in some cases, more than two months — for an … Continue reading

Posted in Benefits | Tagged | Leave a comment

Tricare Young Adult offers Prime option Jan. 1

Young adults whose parents are Tricare beneficiaries now can buy Tricare Prime coverage if they live in an area served by Tricare’s managed care network.

Posted in Benefits | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Tricare Help: Can ex-husband’s new wife provide son’s coverage?

Q. My son’s father is an Army retiree. He’s trying to get out of paying for my son’s insurance under the child support order. His current wife is on active duty. He said she would be able to cover my … Continue reading

Posted in Benefits | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Tricare Help: Simple letter should prevent name confusion

Q. I work in the airline industry and need to enroll in my employer’s insurance soon. I have Tricare Standard as my secondary insurance — my husband is deceased. However, the Tricare coverage is under my married name, and everything … Continue reading

Posted in Benefits | Tagged , | Leave a comment

McCain: Tricare fees must rise to control costs

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said Thursday that “dire circumstances” are the reason he’s willing to make military retirees pay more for health care benefits.

Posted in Benefits | Tagged | Leave a comment

Tricare Help: Without Medicare Part B, you lose Tricare

Q. My father, an Army retiree, turned 65 in April and has not enrolled in Medicare Part B. Are there penalties for late enrollment? He was recently hospitalized, and I need to help him do this right away so his … Continue reading

Posted in Benefits | Tagged | Leave a comment