MOAA: Answer Digest (Long Term Care)

Long Term Care
By Capt. Bud Schneeweis, USCG-Ret., Director; Lt. Col. William A. Pierce, USA-Ret.; Cmdr. Katherine O’Neill Tracy, USNR-Ret.; and Phil Dyer, CFP Benefits Information Benefits Information

Is it too late to enroll in the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program?

Initial enrollment for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) has ended, but people still can apply for care. Eligible servicemembers include military retirees (and qualified family members), active duty members, and selected reserve members. Appropriated-fund civilian employees also are eligible.

Congress authorized FLTCIP in September 2000 to help federal employees, including service-
members, defray the rising costs of long term care. This can include home care, nursing home care, or assisted-living facilities for people no longer able to perform normal daily activities because of chronic mental or physical conditions.

FLTCIP does not have an annual open season like many other health care programs. The initial open enrollment season was held during 2002 to introduce the program; officials have not yet decided when there will be another open season.

More information on FLTCIP and how to enroll is available online at www.ltcfeds.com or by calling (800) 582-3337 (TDD (800) 843-3557). Offices are open weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.

Postscript

When considering long term care insurance, be aware that custodial care in an institution or home is not a covered benefit under Medicare or TRICARE, including TRICARE For Life.

Medicare and TRICARE by law can cover only medically necessary care; custodial care, which is defined as assistance with the activities of daily living—such as eating, bathing, and dressing—is not a covered benefit.

Finding Records Online

The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) is working to make it easier for veterans with Internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files.

Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members can use a new online military personnel records system to request documents. Others who want documents still must complete the Standard Form 180, which can be downloaded from the Web site.

The new Web-based application was designed to provide better service on these requests by eliminating the record center’s mailroom processing time. Also, because the requester will be asked to supply all information essential for NPRC officials to process the request, delays that normally occur when the NPRC has to ask veterans for additional information will be minimized.

MOAA employees have tested this service and it works. Veterans and next of kin may access this application at http://vetrecs.archives.gov.

Overseas Documents

How do I find records of a birth, marriage, or death that occurred overseas?

Individuals with Internet access can get these documents with the help of the U.S. Department of State. Go to www.travel.state.gov, and under Services, click on Certificates of Birth, Death and Marriage. That takes you to a page titled Birth, Death and Marriage Records, which has a link labeled “Apply for a copy of a report issued by an American embassy or consulate showing that a U.S. citizen was born, married or died while abroad.”

This link connects you to a page titled Consular Reports of Birth, Death, and Marriage on File with the Department of State, where you will find a mailing address, fees, and additional information including a form that can be downloaded for completion.

Those who don’t feel comfortable online or who don’t have access to a computer can write to:

U.S. Department of State
Passport Services
Vital Records Section
1111 19th St. N.W., Suite 510
Washington, DC 20524

To speed things along, officials suggest you first call (202) 955-0307 for specific instructions.