Flu Vaccines Available for Veterans
In an effort to reduce the impact of the seasonal flu and connected illness, enrolled/eligible Veterans may still obtain a seasonal flu vaccination at any of the Fargo VA Health Care System facilities.
Read Entire VA release (pdf format)
ND ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve)
Interested in joining the ESGR team?
contact Kevin Iverson 701-333-2057 or Shirley Olgeirson 701-333-2016
ND Drivers licenses to feature "Veteran" indicator
HB 1197 became effective August 1 2011. This bill allows military veterans to have a “Veteran” indicator placed on their North Dakota drivers’ license. The application form, SFN 59980, is only available from State, County, Tribal, and National Veteran Service Officers. for more information Please visit http://www.nd.gov/veterans/benefits
TRICARE Changes in Medication Co-Payments
FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Copayments for some medications provided through TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery are being reduced to zero. As of Oct. 1, 2011, Home Delivery beneficiaries may fill generic prescriptions at no cost to themselves.
Generic formulary drugs purchased through Home Delivery currently cost $3 for a 90-day supply, but as of Oct. 1 the copayment drops to zero.
The following changes to the TRICARE pharmacy copayments are scheduled to go into effect Oct. 1:
• Generic formulary drugs purchased at retail pharmacies will go from $3 to $5.
• Brand name formulary drugs from retail pharmacies will go from $9 to $12.
• Non-formulary medications will go from $22 to $25 in both retail and Home Delivery.
Brand name formulary drugs purchased through Home Delivery will have the same $9 copayment. Copayments for prescriptions filled through Home Delivery cover a 90-day supply, but only a 30-day supply when purchased at a retail pharmacy.
Military, their families and retirees are increasingly using Home Delivery to get their maintenance medications conveniently delivered through U.S. mail – saving TRICARE about $30 million in 2010. Use of Home Delivery has grown in 2011 by nearly 10 percent over 2010. More than 1 million prescriptions per month are filled through the service.
For complete information about TRICARE pharmacy, the new copayment rates and Home Delivery, visit TRICARE Pharmacy Information.
Military Retiree payday changes
The Defense Accounting and Finance Service announced that paydays for military retirees will be changing to the first day of the month versus the first “business day.” The change will affect the October 2011 and January 2012 payments which will be on September 30 and December 30 respectively.
This change effects regular retired pay, Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay and Combat Related Special Compensation. The new rule also applies to retiree allotments, garnishments and court-ordered former spouse and child support payments. The new rule doesn’t affect annuity (Survivor Benefit Plan) payment dates.
According to DFAS, the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act requires future military retiree pay to be processed on the first day of the month. When that day falls on a weekend or national holiday, the pay date is moved to the previous business day.
Read more at DFAS "Retirees to Get Extra Payday"
Removal of ID Social Security Numbers
This fact sheet discusses DOD initiative to remove social security numbers (SSN) from uniformed services identification (ID) cards. SSNs will be removed from IDs of active duty service members, retirees and their dependents. Please call
Social Security Number Removal Fact Sheet (pdf format)
VA Website
New Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense website enables eligible users to access their records over the internet.
First time users need to create an account. See site for additional details to see if you qualify for an account.
www.ebenefits.va.gov
Federal Rules Published for TRICARE Retired Reserve
Aug. 6, 2010
The interim final rule for the TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) program has been published. That brings the opportunity for members of the Retired Reserve who are not yet age 60, the so-called “gray-area” retirees, to purchase TRICARE Standard coverage one big step closer to a planned program launch expected as early as September 2010. At that time, instructions about how to qualify for and purchase TRR coverage will become available. If purchased, TRR coverage is expected to go into effect as early as Oct. 1, 2010.
Click For Press Release
Request copy of Your Military Service Record (DD Form 214)
Veterans Service Record Request