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Part B Still a MustI'm only 61 but eligible for Medicare due to disability. Can I use TRICARE For Life or continue to use TRICARE Prime or Standard without enrolling in Part B? No. If you are under age 65 and Medicare-eligible because of a disability or end-stage renal disease but do not enroll in Medicare Part B, you will lose your tricare eligibility entirely. You may regain tricare eligibility after you reach 65, but you must be enrolled in Medicare Part B. Claims HelpHow can I get help resolving my TRICARE claims problems? Try your local benefits counseling and assistance coordinator (BCAC). This program, a congressionally mandated initiative, is implemented by the tricare Management Activity office to improve customer service and satisfaction, enhance beneficiary education, and help reduce the volume of congressional inquiries from beneficiaries. The FY 2000 National Defense Authorization Act mandated the establishment of bcac positions full-time at lead agent offices and collaterally at military treatment facilities worldwide. bcacs act as a preventive mechanism for troubleshooting tricare and Military Health System issues and concerns. The bcac directory can help you contact the bcac most convenient to you. It is continually updated to ensure the highest level of accuracy and can be accessed online through TROA's links page, www.troa.org/magazine/links.asp. Long Term CareWhat is long term care? What is the difference between Medicare's skilled care and long term care? Long term care (often called custodial care) is the kind of care that would help you perform daily activities if you had an ongoing illness or disability. It also includes the kind of care you would need if you had a severe cognitive problem like Alzheimer's disease or you needed help with eating, bathing, dressing, transferring from a bed to a chair, toileting, continence, etcetera. Postscript The American Bar Association has compiled an online-only issue of GP Solo magazine to aid lawyers who assist military reservists mobilized for active duty. It covers topics such as student loan relief, the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act, reemployment rights of reservists, estate planning for the military, and survivor benefits. GP Solo can be accessed through TROA's links page, www.troa.org/magazine/links.asp. This type of care isn't received in a hospital and isn't intended to cure you; it is chronic care that you might need for the rest of your life. It can be received in your own home or at a nursing home or other long term care facility. Skilled care is provided by skilled nursing or rehabilitation staff to manage, observe, and evaluate your care. Examples of skilled care include changing a sterile dressing or physical therapy. Skilled care attempts to aid your recovery after a hospital stay. It's important to understand a few distinctions between long term care and skilled care: Most long term care is not skilled care and does not take place in a nursing home; most nursing home stays do not immediately follow a hospital stay; and most people who require care in their home usually need more or different types of care than Medicare covers. Fisher HousesWhat are Fisher Houses? Can I get a list of their locations? Fisher Houses are "comfort homes" built near military and Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities for families to stay at while a loved one is undergoing treatment. The Fisher House Foundation provides financial support and assistance to military families in need. A list of Fisher House locations can be found via TROA's links page, www.troa.org/magazine/links.asp. For more information call toll-free, (888) 294-8560. |
