TREA Legislative Update for 3-10-2006
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Since 03-16-06

 TREA’S Washington Office has an 800 number.
If you have questions concerning what is going on about your retiree benefits on the Hill and in the Administration please call. 

It is 1-800-554-8732!!!  -- that’s 800-554-TREA

Proposed TRICARE Pharmacy co-pay changes- Below please find a chart showing the changes in co-payments that DOD is proposing. This would affect everyone who uses the TRICARE pharmacy program except active duty members.

It will affect Military Retirees who use TRICARE for Life and Active Duty family members. We have posted a letter on CAPWIZ that you can use to tell your Representatives that you oppose these proposals as well as the proposed changes in TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Standard.

But we would like to hear from you as well.

What do you think of this push to use the Mail Order Pharmacy?

We want to hear from you. 

Changes in Pharmacy Co-payments *, **

 

Generic

Brand

Non-Formulary

 

Current Co-Pays

Military Clinic

$0

$0

$0

Mail Order

$3

$9

$22

Retail

$3

$9

$22

 

Co-Pays in FY07 and after

Military Clinic

$0

$0

$0

Mail Order

$0

$9

$22

Retail

$5

$15

$22

 * - 100% co-pay for a few certain medications

** - Applies to ALL eligible beneficiaries, except active duty

Veterans  Preference -  ere are two new sections  dealing with Veterans Preference. They were signed into law in January.

Section 1111 grants Veterans Preference for veterans who have served on active duty for  a period of more than 180 consecutive days during the period starting on September 11, 2001 and ending at the close of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This applies wherever the person served in the world. It also applies not just for those seeking employment but also those Federal employees who may be affected by a RIF.

Section 1112 clarifies that veterans preference applies to all those “ who are discharged or released from active duty service…” If you need more information please go to the Vetguide at www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp#2

TRICARE Reserve Select Report - TREA has been working with TRICARE Management Activity to assure the new healthcare program for some of our Guard and Reserve members and their families is fully implemented. At this time DOD is working on their new regs. to include the members that were added to the plan at the end of last year.

As of this week 40,620 qualified  NG & R members have entered into the agreement, 20,288 have executed agreement with DEERS and 9,501 plans have been issued covering 26,680 beneficiaries.