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Departments - News Notes

Bataan Revisited

PBS documentary highlights World War II rescue mission.

Undoubtedly, the Bataan Death March was one of the most horrific ordeals inflicted on U.S. troops in World War II. After enduring three years of brutal captivity and watching thousands of their comrades perish, more than 500 American POWs faced what they thought was certain death. Then, in December 1944, an elite force of Army Rangers launched a daring rescue mission. Under the leadership of Army Col. Henry Mucci, the Rangers ventured 30 miles behind enemy lines, obliterated the POW camp at Cabanatuan, the Philippines, and brought 513 American POWs home.

Drawing on chilling testimony from both POWs and their rescuers, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) has produced the latest in its American Experience series, Bataan Rescue, scheduled to air July 7 at 9 p.m. Check your local listings for exact dates and times.

Airlines Salute Servicemembers

To demonstrate support for America’s troops, American Airlines and us Airways have introduced discount programs for active duty and reserve servicemembers and their immediate family members. 
Under the us Airways program, “Salute Savings,” fares might be as low as $79 one-way (based on a round-trip purchase). American’s program offers round-trip fares as low as $184. 

“We want to show appreciation to our men and women in uniform and their families for the many sacrifices made during Operation Iraqi Freedom,” says Dan Garton, executive vice president-Marketing for American Airlines.

“The service that the men and women of the U.S. military provide at home and abroad is invaluable,” says us Airways President and CEO Dave Siegel. “This program is designed to make special fares and travel bargains available for their widespread use.”

For more information, military personnel and their immediate family members should contact their local commercial travel office.

Remembering the Korean War

The Korean War Commemoration Committee is honoring the 50th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended the Korean War with a series of events in Washington, D.C., July 25–27, including a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.

For a list of events, visit the Committee’s Web site at www.korea50.mil or call (866) 567-3250. All events are free and open to the public.

VA Copayments Refunded

Veterans insured by the Hartford Life Insurance Co. or USAA Life Insurance might be eligible for a refund of their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) copayments. In a recent settlement, Hartford and USAA paid the VA $11.1 million for care provided by the VA to insured veterans with Medicare or TRICARE supplemental coverage from Jan. 1, 1995, through Dec. 31, 2001.

The settlement “not only resolves the litigation but also reimburses those veterans whose copayments to VA should have been covered by their insurance,” says VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi.

All refund requests must be postmarked by April 1, 2004. For more information or to request a claims application, call (866) 258-2772.

 

HEALTH BEAT: Hot news for you on medical care benefits
How to Use TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy (TMOP)
Recently, MOAA representatives met with TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) officials and other directors from Express Scripts to discuss the new TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy (TMOP) program that’s been in place since March 1, 2003. Despite the start-up challenges inherent in any undertaking of this size (TMOP is the largest mail-order pharmacy contract ever awarded), all came away pleased with the progress thus far. As of late April, more than 96 percent of prescriptions were filled within seven days, meeting the contract requirement. Here is information to help you better use TMOP:
  • More than 72 percent of returned prescription orders resulted from patients requesting a refill too early. You must have used 75 percent of your medicine before requesting a refill. Other causes for prescription returns were: drug not covered (13 percent), patient not eligible (6 percent), and unable to contact patient after two attempts (5 percent).
  • Members enrolled in the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP) are not eligible to use TMOP. They may fill their prescriptions at USFHP facilities.
  • The TMOP contract requires Express Scripts to check all sources of prescription drugs available to the patient before an order is filled. TMOP must check that patients have not obtained refills from a military treatment facility or commercial pharmacy to rule out the possibility of overuse and to save money.
  • Call volume rises dramatically on Mondays and falls steadily all week. Weekend call volume is low. If you can place your order late in the week, your wait time likely will be reduced.
    For more information, visit the TMOP Web site at www.tricare.osd.mil/pharmacy or the Express Scripts site at www.express-scripts.com/custom/dod/ben_mes
    sage    , or call (866) DOD-TMOP (363-8667).