Retiree Activities Corner
Postal Restrictions
The U. S. Postal Service (USPS) no longer allows the mailing of lithium batteries to or from international destinations, including Army post offices, fleet post offices and diplomatic post offices. Affected items are lithium-metal or lithium-ion batteries in electronic devices sent on commercial passenger aircraft to international destinations. The new standards were implemented by the International Civil Aviation Organization and the Universal Postal Union. The restriction does not apply to air cargo shipments. Private shipping companies, such as DHL, FedEx and UPS, continue to move shipments of lithium batteries and electronic devices containing lithium batteries. Items are shipped per regulations outlined in the International Air Transportation Association dangerous goods manual. USPS is working with companies and organizations to determine if any exceptions can be developed prior to January.
Use RX Home Delivery and Save
Tricare’s Pharmacy Home Delivery allows beneficiaries to save time and money by mailing maintenance medications safely and securely to their homes. More than 1 million prescriptions were filled through home delivery in each of the last five months of 2010. Home delivery is especially useful for beneficiaries with prescriptions taking maintenance medications. These are used to treat illnesses such as diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure. Beneficiaries in need of immediate relief with a pain medication or antibiotics should have their prescription filled at a military treatment facility or retail network pharmacy. Home delivery also features an automatic prescription refill option to ensure beneficiaries are always supplied with the medications they need. To speak to a pharmacist, a phone line is available 24/7. Tricare retail network pharmacies fill prescriptions with a 30-day supply. Home delivery fills prescriptions for the same copayment, but for 90 days. Home delivery costs $3 for a 90-day supply of generic formulary medications and $9 for a 90-day supply for brand-name medications. To sign up for pharmacy home delivery, go to www.tricare.mil/homedelivery or call the Member Choice Center toll free at 1 877 363-1343.
New Policies Explained
Use of Department of Defense (DoD) property should be made on a "sexual-orientation neutral" basis. Additionally, military chaplains do not have to officiate at ceremonies that go against their religious tenets. This guidance was issued following repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The memo explains that; "determinations regarding the use of DoD real property and facilities for private functions, including religious and other ceremonies, should be made on a sexual-orientation neutral basis, provided such use is not prohibited by applicable state and local laws." Military chaplains “may participate in or officiate any private ceremony, whether on or off a military installation, provided that the ceremony is not prohibited by applicable state and local law.
The Retiree Activities Office is open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Visit our office at Colorado and D Street, call us at 301-981-2726, or email us at raoandrews.af.mil. Calling the office prior to visiting is recommended to ensure someone is on duty. The RAO also has a website at www.andrews.af.mil, click on "Retirees" on the right side of the page. There you will find a wealth of information that might be of interest to you. Copies of "Retiree Activities Corner" articles are online as well. Go to the retirees webpage and find information under the heading "Newspaper Column."