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Departments - News Notes

Escape to Europe With AFRC

Hopping the pond is now even easier for military retirees.

Back by popular demand, the Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) in Europe is offering trips to Bavaria in 2003 specifically designed for retirees.

AFRC will offer a total of 11 "European Escapes," with each trip comprising different tours, varied lengths, and unique itinerary destinations such as Neuschwanstein, Berchtesgaden, and Munich. Exclusive Escapes include trips to Rothenberg (January, March, and December only), a Third Reich history tour (September), and the Nuremburg Christmas Market (December).

Each package price is based on two adults and includes a welcome reception, hotel accommodations, breakfasts, personalized tours, a farewell dinner, and a shuttle to and from the Munich airport. Every armed forces ID cardholder is eligible to sponsor a total of three European packages so civilian friends and family may come along.

For more information, visit AFRC Europe's Web site, which is available via MOAA's links page, www.moaa.org/magazine/links.asp.

Assisted Living Option

After 33 years of providing affordable housing for Navy widows, Vinson Hall Retirement Community of McLean, Va., has opened The Sylvestery, an assisted-living residence for people with memory impairments.

The Sylvestery features resident suites and four secure gardens. Therapeutic architectural components include a spa, an aquarium, a beamed-ceiling solarium, a living room with fireplace, and an in-house café.

For more information, visit The Sylvestery's Web site, available via MOAA's links page, www.moaa.org/magazine/links.asp.

Dust Off Your Creative Cap

Children of military members can hone their literary and artistic skills in two contests held by the Armed Services ymca. In Art Contest 2003, children in grades k-6 submit artwork depicting their active duty, Reserve, or Guard families. Top prizes are $500 U.S. Savings Bonds, and the winners' artwork will be used during 2003's Military Family Month. Children of Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees and Coast Guard civilians may enter in an honorary category. The deadline for entries is Jan. 27, 2003.

An essay contest is for students in grades 1-12. Children of military members and of civilian employees of DoD and the Coast Guard can participate for prizes of up to $1,000 bonds. The deadline is March 17, 2003.

For contest guidelines, visit the ymca Web site via MOAA's links page at www.moaa.org/magazine/links.asp, or e-mail essaycontest@asymca.org.



HEALTH BEAT
Hot news for you on medical care benefits

Keeping It Private

Beneficiaries of the military health system (MHS) and TRICARE have the right to keep their health care information private. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 established privacy policies that all U.S. military and civilian health care providers, hospitals, and organizations must follow. TRICARE will implement these privacy rules April 14, 2003.

Under HIPAA's rules, the MHS is required to inform beneficiaries about how their personal health care information is used, provide guidance on privacy rights, and limit use and disclosure of personal health care information. A copy of the MHS Notice of Privacy Practices has been sent to each TRICARE sponsor listed as eligible in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. Beneficiaries have been asked to acknowledge receipt of this privacy notice during their first scheduled appointment after April 14 at their local military treatment facility (MTF).

According to the privacy rules, beneficiaries have the right to receive a notice of MHS privacy practices from the MTF; access, review, and receive a copy of their personal medical records or health care information on file at the MTF; request a change or correct an error in medical records; know how, when, and to whom medical information is disclosed; file a grievance with the MTF regarding a privacy concern; and provide written instructions on personal preferences regarding use and disclosure of personal health information.

Information may be disclosed to other health care providers who, at the request of a primary care manager, may need to access private health care information to provide a patient with optimal care.

A copy of the MHS Notice of Privacy Practices is available on the TRICARE Web site, available via MOAA's links page, www.moaa.org/magazine/links.asp.

Disappointing Outcome for Retirees

"We cannot readily imagine more sympathetic plaintiffs than the retired officers of the World War II and Korean War era involved in this case. They served their country for at least 20 years with the understanding that when they retired they and their dependents would receive full free health care for life. ... Again, however, because no authority existed to make such promises in the first place, and because Congress has never ratified or acquiesced to this promise, we have no alternative but to uphold the judgment against the retirees' breach-of-contract claim."

On Nov. 18, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued its opinion in the Class Act Group's health care lawsuit against the government. Regrettably, the court's 9-4 ruling went against the military retirees.

The group's attorney, Col. George "Bud" Day, USAF-Ret., had argued that members who entered service before mid-1956 (when the law first referenced "space available" care) were wrongly denied the lifetime health care that had been promised to career servicemembers in innumerable briefings and brochures.

The court ruled that the services had no legal authority to make such promises (see center text).

MOAA is disappointed with the court's decision and will support the Class Act Group's appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court by filing a friend of the court brief.

The retiree community owes a debt of gratitude to the Class Act Group and Colonel Day for helping to highlight retiree health care inequities to policymakers and the American public.