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Issue 2008-05 — May, 2008

This newsletter is published monthly by the Military Retiree Assistance Office outside Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Korea. It is provided primarily for the information of retirees of all services and their families living in the Republic of Korea (South Korea). The information contained herein may not necessarily reflect the views or official positions of the Department of Defense, the U.S. military services and their component commands. If you are receiving this newsletter directly by e-mail, it is because you have subscribed to it and confirmed the subscription. To subscribe or unsubscribe, please follow the instructions contained at the end of the newsletter. All issues of the newsletter are maintained in HTML and Text formats on an index at the Military Retiree Assistance Office web site. The index allows direct access to each news item in each newsletter.
Contact the MRAO: in Korea 031-663-0319; outside Korea 82-31-663-0319; e-mail: mrao@rao-osan.com              

Notices


Korea Retirees' Schedule of Events

Courageous Channel Participation Earns Dental Care

Retirees, their family members and survivors in Areas II, III and IV can get dental examinations and cleanings at their local Army dental clinics by participating in the Courageous Channel on May 17. Details and contact information are available for all three Areas and also on a separate slide for Area III.

Korea Retirement Services Office

USAG Humphreys/Area III Retiree Appreciation Day

The USAG Humphreys/Area III Retiree Appreciation Day (RAD) will take place on May 17. The main event will occur at Tommy D's and services at other facilities will be offered to retirees and their families in association with the RAD. To register your attendance, please complete and submit this form. Here is the schedule of events:

Korea Retirement Services Office

Stimulus Payment and ITIN

If you are married to a spouse who lacks a Social Security Number, you have probably obtained an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to file a joint tax return. If that is your situation, then don't expect a Stimulus Payment. For a joint return to be eligible for the Stimulus Payment, both husband and wife must have a Social Security Number.

And if you're thinking about filing a return as single (or amending the return from joint to single), the experts say that you'd probably lose more as a result of lost or reduced deductions than you'd gain in the Stimulus Payment.

Military Retiree Assistance Office

In This Issue

 

Medical Care Matters

 

Pharmacy Costs Soar

The Defense Department's prescription drug costs have tripled between 2000 and 2006 and are expected to reach $15 million by 2015, largely because of demand for prescriptions available at retail pharmacies, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). TRICARE-covered prescriptions cost less at retail pharmacies than at military treatment facilities or by mail order, because the former at the time were not subject to federal pricing arrangements, which tend to lower costs.

The GAO hailed a change which now subjects drugs from retail pharmacies to the same pricing arrangements, but said DoD needs to monitor closely this and other measures intent at reining in skyrocketing drug costs. Included are encouraging patients to use lower- cost medications from TRICARE's formulary, offering incentives to switch to mail-order prescriptions, and changing co-payment policies to encourage patients to buy medications from cost-effective sources. For more information, visit http://www.gao.gov/docsearch/repandtest.html on the GAO Web site.

Armed Forces News, Apr 11

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Senior Moments

All of us have 'senior moments' at one time or another. Perhaps you forgot where you placed your car keys, or you returned from the grocery store only to realize you forgot to purchase milk. These small 'brain glitches' are normal at any age and become more frequent with age. But how can you tell if your loved one is crossing the line from normal forgetfulness to true dementia? The key to recognizing early warning signs of dementia is to be aware of the pattern, consistency, and type of forgetfulness displayed by those you re concerned about. If these senior moments are increasing in frequency and affecting their ability to carry out day-to-day functions, you have cause to be concerned. Ask a health care provider to evaluate your parent if you spot any of the following telltale signs:

An evaluation will rule out any physical cause for behavioral and mental changes. Physical causes can include infection, low vitamin B or iron levels, depression, strokes, and seizures. A doctor also can give a presumptive diagnosis of dementia based on a physical exam, laboratory tests, a CT scan or MRI of the brain, and a mini mental exam (a set of questions and simple tests for cognitive function). A definitive diagnosis is more difficult, because brain structures affected by dementia are not always indicated on a scan. In addition, there are many forms of dementia:

Unfortunately, there is no cure for dementia. Treatment focuses on slowing the progressive nature of this disease. Your health care provider can tell you if one of the currently available drugs (such as Aricept, Exelon, Namenda, and Razadyne) is right for your loved one. Medications to treat dementia-associated depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues (agitation, paranoia, and delusions) also might be prescribed if appropriate. Dementia is not a diagnosis to wish on anyone, but erroneously attributing its warning signs to normal aging or senility can rob loved ones of years of improved function and quality of life. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential. For additional info on the subject refer to the Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org and/or the Alzheimer's Education and Referral Center www.alzheimers.org websites. [Source: MOAA News Exchange, Nanette Lavoie-Vaughan article, 21 Mar 08']

RAO Baguio Bulletin Update, Apr 15

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WARNING: Be Careful Before You Have Any Scheduled Hospitalization

(Note:This information is important for, and may apply to, retirees who return to the U.S. for treatment. Medicare is not available in Korea and does not affect treatment costs at Korean hospitals.)

[The Retired Enlisted Association] TREA has learned that some hospitals are playing games with Medicare and as a result, some Tricare insureds are ending up owing hospitals large amounts of money. Here are the details.

Recently, some Tricare insureds have gone into the hospital thinking that their medical procedure was covered by both Tricare and Medicare. However, after they go home they discovered that the hospital will not accept Medicare payments.

Since hospitals must accept Medicare if they accept Tricare, why is this happening?

It turns out that the hospitals still accept Tricare, and they still accept Medicare payments if the patient has previously been treated in that hospital. However, they are not accepting any new Medicare patients. Thus, if the Tricare insured has not previously been a patient at that hospital, the patient ends up having to pay the Medicare portion of the bill out of pocket.

Although this seems very unfair to us and is really 'playing games' with Medicare and with patients, it is legal.

Therefore, we warn you to make sure anytime you are having scheduled hospitalization that the hospital will take both Tricare and Medicare if you are a new patient in that hospital.

TREA Washington Update, Apr 18

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Pay Matters

 

VA Compensation Garnishment

Contrary to popular belief there are some conditions under which VA compensation can be garnished in order to pay alimony or child support. Although VA compensation cannot be attached or assigned there is no statutory prohibition against garnishment of military retired pay. Under Public Law 95-30, a veteran's disability compensation can be garnished in order to pay alimony or child support and pursuant to a court order, only if the veteran receives disability compensation in lieu of an equal amount of military retired pay, in accordance with a total or partial military retired pay waiver. In these cases, under 5 CFR 581.103, the Veterans Service Center (VSC) withholds disability compensation, and makes a payment in compliance with the garnishment order for certain categories of payees. [Source: Title 38 U.S. Code 5301 M21-MR Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 3, Section C 13a of Mar 08]

RAO Baguio Bulletin Update, Apr 1

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Economic Stimulus Package Update

The Internal Revenue Service announced 17 Mar that it will begin sending stimulus checks staring in May. The first round of direct deposits will begin 2 May and the first round of checks are due to be sent out 16 May. Those dates are set for tax returns submitted and processed by the IRS by 15 Apr. The IRS has also set up a calculator available at http://www.irs.gov/app/espc/ to help taxpayers determine if they are eligible for a stimulus payment and how much that payment will be for. The estimated payment amount could be reduced, however, if you have an unpaid tax liability. The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, which authorized the pre-payment of this one-time credit, stipulates that the payment is not to be made to any of the following:

If you become eligible during 2008, you may be able to claim the credit on your Tax Year 2008 return, but you will not receive the advance payment this year, since that is based on your 2007 return. Payments will follow the schedule below:

  1. For Direct Deposit - If the last two digits of your Social Security number are:
    • 00 - 20 (Check Will Be Deposited By May 2)
    • 21 - 75 (Check Will Be Deposited By May 9)
    • 76 - 99 (Check Will Be Deposited By May 16)
  2. For Standard Paper Check - If the last two digits of your Social Security number are:
    • 00 - 09 (Check Will Be Mailed By May 16)
    • 10 - 18 (Check Will Be Mailed By May 23)
    • 19 - 25 (Check Will Be Mailed By May 30)
    • 26 - 38 (Check Will Be Mailed By June 6)
    • 39 - 51 (Check Will Be Mailed By June 13)
    • 52 - 63 (Check Will Be Mailed By June 20)
    • 64 - 75 (Check Will Be Mailed By June 27)
    • 76 - 87 (Check Will Be Mailed By July 4)
    • 88 - 99 (Check Will Be Mailed By July 11)

[Source: New Hampshire WMUR9 article, 17 Mar 08]

RAO Baguio Bulletin Update, Apr 1

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SGLI premiums to drop on July 1

Troops will pay less for Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) as of July 1, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, which manages the program.

Monthly payments for the maximum coverage of $400,000 will decrease by $2, to $26 from $28. The additional $1 per month for severe traumatic injury coverage remains the same.

SGLI coverage is available in multiples of $50,000, up to the maximum of $400,000.

The change will not affect Family SGLI premiums, which decreased two years ago. However, premiums for Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) for veterans ages 30 to 64 will decrease from 4 percent to 12[more likely to be 2] percent, also July 1. That age group makes up about 85 percent of the population insured under the program, which is available for those who want to convert their policies from SGLI to VGLI after leaving the service.

Officials said the VGLI premium rates for those under age 30 "are already competitive." VGLI rates vary by age of the policyholder. New rates and charts will be available on the VA's insurance Web site in the near future, but information was not immediately available about when the site will be updated.

VGLI coverage is available in multiples of $10,000 up to the amount of SGLI coverage a service member had before separating.

SGLI premiums, currently 7 cents per $1,000 of coverage, will decrease to 6.5 cents per $1,000. The reduction is possible because claims for non-combat deaths have dropped, and investment earnings on money held in the program has increased, officials said. The reduction in VGLI rates is a result of fewer claims being filed, they said.

"The reduction in SGLI premiums makes life insurance even more affordable for today's men and women in uniform," Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake, said in a prepared statement. "Lower VGLI premiums will allow more veterans to provide this low-cost financial security to their families."

SGLI rates increased two years ago from 6.5 cents to 7 cents per $1,000 because the amount of premiums being collected was not enough to cover the cost of peacetime claims. The cost of wartime SGLI claims is paid by the services, not through premiums paid by service members.

More than 2.4 million people participate in the SGLI program, and another 433,000 in VGLI.

Peake said the premium reductions should result in increased program participation, and with increased enrollment, VA may be able to reduce rates further in the future.

News of the Force (Page 3), Apr 9

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VA Home Loan Update

The Economic Stimulus Package signed by the President last month also increased loan limits for federal home loan programs, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA. VA Home Loans, however, were not included. Congress has introduced legislation to fix the problem. H.R. 5561 and S. 2768 would extend the home loan guarantee to 125% of metropolitan medium home prices (about $730,000 in the highest cost areas) through 31 DEC 11. The fix would enable veterans to utilize their VA benefit to purchase homes of higher value while the housing market remains unpredictable. For more information on the legislation, type the bill number in the search box at: http://thomas.loc.gov/. [Source: VFW Washington Weekly, 4 Apr 08]

RAO Baguio Bulletin Update, Apr 15

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Pennsylvania Vets' Bonus

[The National Association for Uniformed Services] NAUS extends kudos to the State of Pennsylvania. Applications for their recently authorized Gulf Conflict Veterans' Benefit Program are now available. The veteran must have served with the U.S. Armed Forces, a reserve component or the Pennsylvania National Guard; served on active duty in the Persian Gulf theater of operations during the period from Aug. 2, 1990 to Aug. 31, 1991, and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal; and been a legal resident of Pennsylvania at the time of active service. Certain surviving relatives are also eligible. The deadline for applying for benefits under this program is Aug. 31, 2015. For detailed instructions on how to apply, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Veterans Affairs website.

NAUS Weekly Update, Apr 18

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COLA Update

Has the [Cost-of-Living Adjustment] COLA midway through the Fiscal Year (March) foreshadowed the year-end COLA? Take a look at the COLA breakdown the last three years. The CPI for the month of March leapt 0.9 percentage points over February's value. Cumulative inflation now stands at 2.7% through the mid point of fiscal year 2008.

Year As of March Year-End COLA
2005 1.9% 4.1%
2006 1.3% 3.3%
2007 0.8% 2.3%
2008 2.7% ?

MOAA Legislative Update, Apr 18

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DFAS Begins Account Review for 'Paid-Up Survivor Benefit Plan'

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) is reviewing all military retiree accounts affected by Section 1452(j) of Title 10 U.S. Code, commonly referred to as 'Paid-up SBP.'

Under the law, reductions in retired pay for the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) will be terminated effective Oct. 1 for eligible retirees. The law applies to retired members who are 70 years old and have paid SBP or Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan premiums for at least 360 months, or 30 years.

Retirees who are at least 70 years old and have paid at least 360 months of premiums on Oct. 1 will have their monthly premiums terminated. The change will be reflected in the November 2008 pay statement. If a retiree does not meet the eligibility criteria on Oct. 1, the premiums will stop when the retiree has met both criteria: reached age 70 and paid SBP premiums for 360 months.

Eligible retirees will be notified by the DFAS via mail regarding the status of their account and premium payment count.

DFAS News Release 04-07-08, Apr 18

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Retro Payments Progress Continues

In October 2006, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) and the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) initiated the process of providing retroactive compensation for more than 133,000 disabled recipients of either Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) or Concurrent Retired Disability Payment (CRDP) and VA compensation.

Since then, more than 85,000 additional retirees have been identified by the VA as potentially eligible for retroactive payment. As of April 20, DFAS reported that nearly 179,000 accounts have been processed, with approximately 39,000 remaining. Of those, more than 16,000 are new cases. But about 23,000 of the most complicated cases from the originally identified group are still being worked.

The joint process gives priority to the original cases, but those remaining require multiple laborious computations. In many cases, these can only be done by hand, because the individuals have had several VA rating changes and have switched back and forth between CRDP and CRSC payments with annual changes in the relative value of the two programs - due to the rating changes or the ramp-up of CRDP payments, or both.

DFAS and the VA continue to identify new retirees that may be eligible for retroactive compensation and are working to developing automated changes that will expedite that process.

On a separate topic, medical retirees with less than 20 years of service will soon be able to have their CRSC applications adjudicated for disabilities incurred as a result of combat or combat related events. DoD expects to release guidance to the military services by the end of this month or in early May. MOAA will keep you informed as soon as the guidance is published.

MOAA Legislative Update, Apr 25

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Federal Service Matters

 

GAO Pay Bill Approved

The House federal workforce subcommittee has passed HR-5683 to restore the raises that some [Government Accountability Office] GAO employees were denied in 2006 and 2007 after the agency split an occupational group into two and decided that some employees were overpaid. The measure also would guarantee that employees who are performing at a "meets expectations" level will receive annual raises at least as large as those going to federal employees in general.

The action follows the release of results of a survey of GAO employees that found widespread dissatisfaction with the pay system instituted several years ago, featuring market-based and performance-based elements.

The survey found, for example, that two-fifths of respondents felt that employee input was not considered at all in the design of the program and another two-fifths felt it was considered only slightly. About half said they were generally dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the system, while only a third said they were generally satisfied or very satisfied, and the rest were neutral. Dissatisfaction was generally higher among older employees and African Americans. Overall, four-fifths of employees said morale was worse or much worse than before the transition to market-based pay.

Situation May Have Wider Implications

The situation with the pay system at GAO may have wider implications since GAO often has held itself up as a model of how employees should be managed. However, employee dissatisfaction with its revised pay system was so high that it led to the formation last year of the first union there, and the congressional move to undo some of the changes could send a signal to other departments and agencies trying to implement similar pay programs. [Department of Defense] DoD has implemented its national security personnel system only for employees not represented by unions; it intends to expand it to bargaining unit employees possibly as soon as next year, but what would happen there in the needed negotiations is an open-ended question. [The Department of Homeland Security] DHS is farther behind. In both cases, the departments originally structured their pay plans on the assumption that union involvement would be limited, but legislative and court actions since then have restored union rights. Also, a law passed earlier this year set a floor for pay raises for DoD employees rated above the unacceptable level, in effect undercutting some of the performance-based emphasis of NSPS.

FEDweek Weekly Issue, Apr 9

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Study of Disability Idea

HR 5781 seeks a study of the "feasibility and desirability" of providing an insurance benefit offering partial or total wage replacement for periods of caring for a spouse, son, daughter or parent having a serious health condition, or for the employee's own health condition that prevents the employee from his or her job duties. The report would examine the policies of the private sector and other levels of government, including the portion of pay typically replaced, waiting periods, whether employee coverage is automatic or optional, and how costs are split between the employer and the enrollee.

FEDweek Weekly Issue, Apr 23

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Movement on Pay Raise Coming

The Senate Armed Services Committee this week is drafting the annual DoD authorization bill, a measure that typically contains an early signal regarding the military, and by extension, federal, raise for the upcoming year. The committee sets only the raise for military personnel, but parity between military and federal raises has been followed in all but a few years for the last two decades. President Bush has recommended 3.4 percent for the military, but efforts are being made in Congress to boost that to 3.9 percent. In some but not all past years, the Senate has initially backed the White House proposal and then has given in to the House, which has favored a higher raise. The House counterpart committee is expected to begin writing its own bill soon, as well.

FEDweek Weekly Newsletter, Apr 30

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Community Matters

 

Department to Phase Out Full Social Security Numbers on IDs

As a means of combating identity theft, the Defense Department will issue identification cards without full Social Security numbers printed onto them, a senior official said here today.

The Defense Department cares about protecting personal information as well as increasing database security, Mary Dixon, director of the Defense Manpower Data Center based in Arlington, Va., told Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service reporters.

Identity theft is a very real problem today, Dixon explained. Criminals who pilfer SSN-bearing identity cards can virtually assume someone's identity through a few computer keystrokes and clicks of a mouse, she said.

TriCare, the military services' health maintenance organization, already has removed Social Security numbers from its members' identification cards, Dixon said.

Plans are to remove the Social Security numbers from identification cards issued to military family members by the end of this year, Dixon said, noting that those cards still would display the sponsors' SSN, for now. Between 2009 and 2010, all department-issued identification cards will feature only the last four digits of a holder's Social Security number, she said.

About 3.4 million people now have department-issued common access cards, Dixon said. Around two-thirds of those card holders are military members, and some civilians who deploy overseas, who have full Social Security numbers printed onto the back of their CACs.

"You might lose that card," Dixon pointed out, noting that family members, including children, could misplace their identification cards, too.

Modern information technology precludes the need to have full social security numbers printed onto employee and family member ID cards, Dixon said.

"Today, all of our (computer) systems can 'talk' to each other, so we don't necessarily need to know all of that information printed on your card," she said.

New identification cards will be issued as they reach their expiration dates, Dixon said.

Armed Forces Press Service, Apr 3

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Air Force Has New Web Site for Retirees

The U.S. Air Force has a new Web site just for its retiree community that is full of news and information, plus it is easy to access and navigate.

The Air Force Retiree Services site is located at: www.retirees.af.mil. This public Web site offers the retiree family in-depth information on the Survivor Benefit Plan, plus a list of Air Force Retiree Activities Offices worldwide and various other resources. There are also sections dedicated to the Afterburner and the Air Force Retiree News Service.

Visitors can access the sections by using the top navigation bar on the home page. The home page also features the latest Air Force headline news and video clips. There is even a special icon for quick access to the Combat-Related Special Compensation information page.

News of the Force (Page 2), Apr 8

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Philippine Tourist Visa Update

The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner has issued an official Memorandum advising departing foreign tourists with expired Philippine tourist visas that they may no longer update their visas at the airport. BI stated that all requests for tourist visa extensions filed at any international port of entry/exit shall immediately be referred to the Visa Extension Section of the BI Main Office (Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila) or concerned subport/field office for appropriate action. The Embassy encourages Americans to keep their visas updated to avoid unnecessary inconvenience. Details on the new procedure can be found on the Philippine Bureau of Immigration's website: www.immigration.gov.ph. [Source: ACS Newsletter 20 Mar 08]

RAO Baguio Bulletin Update, Apr 15

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VA Website Changes

You may notice that VA's Internet pages (www.va.gov) look a little different. The most obvious changes are a smaller banner at the top of every page and an improved search feature, including the option to search the entire VA Web site or just the section you are visiting. Other changes, such as fewer navigation buttons on the left side of many pages, will be noticeable in the weeks ahead as webmasters adapt new design options. The changes are based on suggestions made in many of the more than 116,000 visitor satisfaction surveys VA received over the past year and a half.

NAUS Weekly Update, Apr 25

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Laughing Matters

 

Truth Is Stranger Funnier Than Fiction

Here are some news items picked up from various sources. Why they're in this section will be obvious when you read them.

Curses, foiled again!

A Salt Lake City woman – pretending to be a man – was arrested for using someone else's urine to try to pass a drug test. Bonus: It was the urine of a 5-year-old boy. Double Bonus: The kid tested positive for cocaine.

Incontrovertible Evidence

The criminal complaint says the officer at the scene was able to ID the drug because of "his prior experience as a police officer in drug arrests, observation of packaging which is characteristic of this type of drug, and defendant's statements that . . . 'I've got some meth in my pocket.'"

Oops!

Two boys, 12 and 14, were quickly arrested in Port St. Lucie, Fla., last month when they tried to rob a woman who was working at a counter behind protective glass in an office by picking up the convenience phone and threatening her, implying that they had a gun.

The woman was in no danger, of course, because of the protective glass, but besides that, the place they had chosen for the hit was a sub-station of the Port St. Lucie Police Department.

Various news sources and dates

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How Do I Love Thee?

After eight years of marriage, my husband and I decided to make some changes in our lives. He went on a strict diet – he would eventually lose 50 pounds – and I took a job in a small diner.

After my first day at the diner I returned home from work and gave my husband a big hug.

He seemed to cling to me longer than usual.

Did you miss me that much today, dear?" I asked.

"No," came the reply, "but you smell so much like pancakes that I hate to let you go!"

Docs Daily Chuckle via Christian Voices, Apr 9

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There's a Moral Here

A C-130 was lumbering along when a cocky F-16 flashed by. The jet jockey decided to show off.

The fighter jock told the C-130 pilot, "Watch this!" and promptly went into a barrel roll followed by a steep climb. He then finished with a sonic boom as he broke the sound barrier. The F-16 pilot asked the C-130 pilot what he thought of that?

The C-130 pilot said, "That was impressive, but watch this!"

The C-130 droned along for about 5 minutes and then the C-130 pilot came back on and said: "What did you think of that?"

Puzzled, the F-16 pilot asked, "What the hell did you do?"

The C-130 pilot chuckled. "I stood up, stretched my legs, walked to the back, went to the bathroom, then got a cup of coffee and a cinnamon bun."

When you are young & foolish, speed & flash may seem a good thing!!! When you get older & smarter, comfort & dull is not such a bad thing!!!

Us old folks understand this one!

from the Internet

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Unforgettable Memorial

Joe died. His Will provided $30,000 for an elaborate funeral.

As the last guests departed the affair, his wife, Susan turned to her oldest and dearest friend. "Well, I'm sure Joe would be pleased," she said.

"I'm sure you're right," replied Joan, who lowered her voice and leaned in close. "How much did this really cost?"

"All of it," said Susan . "Thirty thousand."

"No!" Joan exclaimed. "I mean, it was very nice, but $30,000?"

Susan answered, "The funeral was $6,500. I donated $500 to the church. The refreshments $500. The rest went for the Memorial Stone."

Joan computed quickly. "$22,500 for a Memorial Stone? My goodness, how big is it?"

"Two and a half carats."

Christian Voice, Apr 24

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Jack Terwiel, Director

 

Director's Corner



 

Osan Hospital Update

On April 16, 2008, I attended a meeting with the Chief of the IG Team inspecting the Osan AB Hospital. I was representing the Osan retiree community that includes retirees, their families and their survivors. Although I and others thought the influx of active duty families was an additional authorization, that's not true. The expansion of accompanied positions took place several years ago. The opening of the new family housing has resulted in more active duty persons deciding it's time to bring their families to Korea now that they can live on base.

The bottom line is that retirees and other lower category health care beneficiaries (contractors, teachers, etc.) are being pushed out the back door as more family members come in the front door. Space available care is becoming less available to us. Those who have chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure are being told to find a Korean doctor because the Osan Hospital cannot guarantee the scheduling of regular appointments needed to monitor the health status of these beneficiaries.

When the IG Team Chief asked for comments from the community representatives, I gave the following:

  1. Finding a Korean doctor "downtown" can be a hazardous process and traveling to a quality hospital such as Aju, Severance, or Samsung is time-consuming. Also, the Korean doctors write prescriptions in Korean that, they tell us, cannot be honored at the Osan Hospital pharmacy. And Korean doctors generally over-prescribe compared to the doctors in military hospitals.
  2. A retiree reported to me that the 121st Hospital at Yongsan has a sign posted at the pharmacy that prescriptions in Korean will take two hours to process. (The Team Chief said he'd look into it.)
  3. The Osan TRICARE office is the only one in Korea that requires beneficiaries to pay the full cost of civilian health care costs, then file a claim for reimbursement. (The Team Chief reported that he believed that was being corrected and Osan will soon adopt the same procedure as all the others. That procedure is the patient only pays the 25% co-pay and patient payments stop when they reach the catastrophic cap of $3,000.)
  4. Space available calls for appointments start at 10:00am. It is the perception of some retirees, as reported to me, that it's a lottery. It depends on which operator answers the phone. One will quickly say no appointments are available, while another will ask you to wait while she checks. (The Team Chief will report this concern to the Osan medical staff to check out.)

When I asked if there was any relief on the horizon, I was reminded that the hospital staffing is based on the number of families that had previously been authorized. We had just been fortunate that many families had chosen not to come until the new housing was completed. For retirees, "the chickens have come home to roost." We're on our own in many cases, and must find a way to either make affordable health care work, or else consider heading back to the U.S. This is particularly true of the older retirees (65+) who would benefit from having virtually all health care costs covered by Medicare Part B and TRICARE for Life. And for those who elected not to enroll in Medicare Part B when they reached age 65, the next open enrollment is not until January 2009 (ending March 31) with coverage effective July 2009.

We might find some relief when the USAG Humphreys hospital, replacing the 121st Hospital, is completed about 2015. Of course, by that time Humphreys will have a population estimated to be 45,000 (active duty, dependents, civilian employees, contractors, etc).

Jack Terwiel

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Web Site Software Projects

As you know (or should know), I was able to create my own newsletter mailing capability to replace the commercial service I had been using. Once that was in place and I was comfortable using it, I checked to see how many new folks have signed up for the newsletter. So far, one. Then I pressed on to another needy project. The Guestbook has been replaced with a new, more friendly Guestbook. The reaction by web site visitors has not exactly been overwhelming. In the first week, so far, only one person posted an entry (thanks, Bob).

Not one who's easily discouraged, I've been working on a new application that will further enhance the capabilities of RAO-Osan.com It was completed for testing on April 29. Now that it's ready for first looks, I'm going to ask newsletter subscribers, other readers and web site visitors to participate in testing the software. I hope it will be more than just one person who responds. If you'd like to give it a try, go to http://www.rao-osan.com/mrao_survey. You can complete the survey as many times as you want, and please answer in different ways so I have a variety of responses to "play with." I hope you enjoy it, and I'm open to suggestions on how we can use it.

Jack Terwiel

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Subscribing and Unsubscribing

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