Varied Pharmacy Options
TRICARE beneficiaries have many pharmacy options, including military, home delivery and 56,000 network pharmacies. Military treatment facility (MTF) pharmacies fill prescriptions free of charge, up to a 90-day supply for most medications. Not all medications are available at MTF pharmacies. Home delivery can be used when traveling on a temporary assignment or moving to another TRICARE region. Beneficiaries can receive up to a 90-day supply for most medications with minimal out-of-pocket costs. Beneficiaries are eligible to sign up for automatic refills or request them by mail, phone or online. The home delivery option is recommended for prescriptions needed on a regular basis. Beneficiaries using a retail network pharmacy can receive up to a 30-day supply. Certain vaccines are covered for zero copayment at participating network pharmacies. TRICARE serves uniformed service members, retirees and family members, including beneficiaries age 65 and older. For more information, visit www.TRICARE.mil/pharmacy or contact Express Scripts customer service at 1 877 363-1303.
Limited Pension Benefit
The VA pension program helps war veterans with low incomes and their families with a tax-free supplemental income benefit. Eligibility is limited to either totally disabled veterans, aged 65 and older, living in a nursing home, receiving skilled nursing care and meeting income requirements. Payments are made to bring the veteran’s total income, including retirement or Social Security income, to a level set annually by Congress. Unreimbursed medical expense may reduce countable income. Additional money is paid if veterans are housebound or unable to care for themselves.
Another Scam
There’s a new scam going around. You get a call from someone claiming to be from the government — maybe the IRS, maybe a law enforcement agency, or Immigration Services. The caller might have information about you — the last four digits of your Social Security number, for example. The caller tells you that you owe money, and that if you don’t pay, many bad things will happen, like freezing your assets, jail, etc. You are told to use a prepaid card. The U.S. government will never call you asking for money. No government representative — and virtually no legitimate business —will ever ask you to use a prepaid card or money transfer. If you receive one of these calls, the Federal Trade Commission wants to know about it. Call 877 382-4357.
The Retiree Activities Office is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visit the office in Building 1604 at California and Colorado Avenues or call 301 981-2726. Call before your visit to ensure a volunteer is on duty. The RAO has a website at www.andrews.af.mil.
