Veterans Report - Week of December 16, 2013

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Veterans Report - Week of December 16, 2013

Help Reconnecting with Your Kids
Are you having or anticipating challenges in reconnecting with your children? The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense have created a free online course called (http://www.veteranparenting.org/index.php) Parenting for Servicemembers and Veterans. For more information, read the article on the (http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/2 ... ssible.asp) Veterans Health Administration website.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse Channel.


My HealtheVet
Ten years ago, (https://www.myhealth.va.gov/index.html) My HealtheVet began as an electronic health record (EHR) pilot program with 7,000 users nationwide. Today, more than 2.5 million registered users actively participate in their health care using My HealtheVet. In addition to allowing veterans access to their records, My HealtheVet lets them save, print and share their health information using the VA Blue Button, refill VA prescriptions online and track their health activities. Veterans who upgrade their accounts, free of charge, can use secure messaging to communicate electronically with their VA health care teams between visits. They can also view VA appointments, get VA Wellness Reminders, access VA lab results and more. For more information, visit (https://www.myhealth.va.gov/index.html) My HealtheVet.
For more on veteran and military health programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


171K Retirees May Get TRICARE Prime Back
The House version of the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act has a provision to allow the 171,000 military retirees who were kicked off TRICARE Prime last October, a onetime shot at reenrolling. The bill stipulates that the Secretary of Defense shall ensure each affected beneficiary who was enrolled in TRICARE Prime on September 30, 2013, be allowed to make a one-time election to continue enrollment in TRICARE Prime. The bill is now awaiting passage by the Senate before progressing to the President for signature.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... are-prime/) Read the section in its entirety on the Military Advantage Blog.


MOAA: Budget Deal Ripping Retirement?
Early this week, details of a bipartisan, two-year budget deal emerged that would help ease the harmful effects of sequestration -- however, it came at a cost to working age retirees. The Ryan-Murray debt deal includes a provision that would reduce working age retiree annual cost-of-living adjustment by one percent until they reach the age of 62. Read the rest of the story at (http://www.moaa.org/MRBudgetDeal/) Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).


Some AF Vets Eligible for Re-Eval
Some Airmen who met a medical or physical disability evaluation board between Sept. 11, 2001 and April 30, 2012 prior to separating from the Air Force may be eligible for re-evaluation. When defense officials learned some diagnoses had been changed during board processing between 2001 and 2012, the secretary of defense called for a department-wide review of mental health diagnoses for members who met evaluation boards between the affected dates. The under secretary of defense has requested a second mailing to affected airmen be initiated by Dec. 31. Servicemembers who have received a notification letter are encouraged to respond as stated in the letter. For information concerning the Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review, visit the PDBR website at (http://www.health.mil/PDBR) www.health.mil/PDBR. or email PDBR at (mailto:PDBRPA@afncr.af.mil) PDBRPA@afncr.af.mil.
For more on health care benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


URS Committed to Hiring Veterans
Start your civilian career with URS. As a global persified technology and industrial leader they can provide endless opportunity and a career path that lets you choose where you want to be. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read More.


Budget Deal Cuts Retiree COLA
The budget deal crafted by Rep. Paul Ryan and Sen. Patty Murray is being celebrated as a bipartisan agreement that would help avoid another round of government closures and fiscal cliff threats. However, the budget deal also calls for reducing the annual retirement cost of living adjustment (COLA) for working age retirees (those under age 62) by one full percentage point - setting the rate at one percent below the actual Consumer Price Index - the measure of inflation used to determine Social Security and VA program adjustments each year.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... -retirees/) Check out the full article on the Military Advantage Blog.


T-38 Accident Investigation Results
The Air Force has announced the accident investigation results of a (http://www.sheppard.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123356693) T-38C Talon accident that occurred July 19 at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. The investigation determined the mishap was due to a bird strike that shattered the Talon's canopy, which sent fragments through the number two engine, causing engine failure. An additional cause was related to actions of the mishap pilot's attempts to return to base. There were no fatalities or significant damage to civilian property. A copy of the official press release relating to the accident and the contact information for questions are available (http://www.sheppard.af.mil/shared/media ... 10-012.pdf) online.
(http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013 ... plete.html) Read the full article on Military.com


The Health Insurance Marketplace
If you're enrolled in TRICARE or the veterans health care program, you are considered covered under the new health care law. You do not need to make any changes. If you are a veteran who is not enrolled in VA benefits or other veterans' health coverage, you can get coverage through the (https://www.healthcare.gov/what-is-the- ... arketplace) Health Insurance Marketplace. If you would like your health coverage to begin January 1, 2014, you should to enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace by December 23, 2013. There are (https://www.healthcare.gov/how-do-i-app ... -coverage/) four ways to apply for health insurance through the Marketplace: online, by phone, in person, and by mail. Although December 23 is the deadline for coverage beginning January 1, you can apply for Marketplace coverage after December 23. Open enrollment runs through March 31, 2014. For more information, visit the (https://www.healthcare.gov/if-im-a-mili ... rketplace/) Health Insurance Marketplace website.
For more on health care benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


VA Warns of Marketing Scam
The Department of Veterans Affairs recently posted an alert on its Facebook page warning of a marketing scam targeting veterans. A marketing company has purchased telephone numbers that differ by one digit from the VA's national call center and the GI Bill call center. Callers who misdial and reach the fraudulent numbers will be offered a gift card in exchange for personal and financial information -- including credit card information. Law enforcement authorities have been notified of the situation. The VA's national call center number is 800-827-1000, and the GI Bill call center's number is 888-442-4551. VA's customer service numbers can be verified (https://iris.custhelp.com/) online.
For more tips on avoiding scams, and more personal finance tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/money) Military.com Money section.


Trees for Troops
The Trees for Troops Program is a partnership between more than 750 tree growers and retailers in 28 states and the FedEx Corporation. More than 17,000 donated trees will go to 60-plus military bases in the United States and overseas. For more information, visit the (http://www.christmasspiritfoundation.or ... #&panel1-6) Trees for Troops webpage and view the current (http://www.christmasspiritfoundation.or ... byDate.pdf) base delivery schedule.


New Cemetery for Arizona
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has announced the Arizona Department of Veterans Services has been awarded a $7.6 million federal grant to establish the new State Veterans' Cemetery in Marana. The grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), will fully fund construction of the project, expected to cover 32 acres of donated land and have an operating life of 50 years. Construction is scheduled to begin July 2014 and is expected to be completed October 2015. For information on burial and memorial benefits for veterans, visit the National Cemetery Administration website at (http://www.cem.va.gov/) http://www.cem.va.gov.
For more on veteran and military health programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


New Rules for Hiring Veterans
The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced that the Federal Register published two final rules to improve the hiring and employment of veterans and of people with disabilities. The rules will become effective March 24, 2014, and federal contractors will be required to comply with most of the final rule's requirements by that date. The final rules in the Federal Register can be found (https://www.federalregister.gov/article ... -regarding) here and (https://www.federalregister.gov/article ... -regarding) here. Contractors seeking general information or compliance assistance can call the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program's toll free at (800) 397-6251 or visit the United States Department of Labor website at (http://www.dol.gov/ofccp) www.dol.gov/ofccp. For more information, see (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/se ... rsons.html) this Military.com article.


Quality, Affordable $400k Family Protection in 2014
Protect your family's financial future. (http://www.military.com/insurance/asmba?ESRC=vr1216.nl) Get $400k life insurance coverage from $29 a month.


Veterans to Receive Increase
Veterans, their families and survivors receiving disability compensation and pension benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs will receive a 1.5 percent cost-of-living increase in their monthly payments beginning Jan. 1, 2014. For Veterans without dependents, the new compensation rates will range from $130.94 monthly for a disability rated at 10 percent to $2,858.24 monthly for 100 percent. The full rates are available on the Internet at VA's Benefit Rates webpage at (http://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/rates-index.asp) www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/rates-index.asp . For more information about VA benefits, visit VA's Veterans Benefits Administration website at (http://www.benefits.va.gov/) www.benefits.va.gov, or call 1-800-827-1000.
For more on veteran benefits programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Iowa Hopes to Attract Vets
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has announced a new Home Base Iowa marketing campaign to convince veterans of the benefits of working, studying and living in the state. The state already has a $5,000 tax credit for veterans who buy homes in Iowa. "We want to do everything we can to make Iowa a lead state and as friendly a place for veterans as possible," Gov. Branstad said. "We want to offer in-state tuition to all veterans, no matter where they're from, at our state universities and community colleges. We want to eliminate the state income tax on veterans' pensions....We are also going to honor and recognize communities and businesses that make [a] commitment to hire veterans." Servicemembers can call Iowa Workforce Development toll-free 1-855-942-4692 or email (mailto:homebase@iowa.gov) homebase@iowa.gov if they have questions.
Take command of your transition with tips and guides, and create a custom transition plan for yourself at the (http://www.military.com/military-transition) Military.com Transition Center.


House Bill Stops TRICARE Hikes
The House passed their version of the 2014 Nation Defense Authorization Act. The bill has a provision to ensure TICARE premiums and fees do not increase beyond the previously agreed levels. The HASC issued a set of facts explaining their decision. They explained that their decision was based on their belief that "Congress has already put TRICARE on a sustainable path through reforms in several recent NDAAs."
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... itary-pay/) Read the full article on the Military Advantage blog.


Defense Bill Sets Stage for 1% Pay Raise
Although the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act supports existing law, which stipulates a 1.8 percent military pay raise to keep pace with civilian wages, the existing law also gives the president flexibility to make exceptions by executive order. This gives President Barack Obama the authority to set the (http://www.military.com/benefits/2013/0 ... harts.html) 2014 military pay raise at 1% - which he had already vowed to do.
(http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013 ... -to-1.html) Read the full article on Military.com.
(http://www.military.com/benefits/2013/0 ... harts.html) View the Proposed 2014 Military Pay Charts.


VA Launches Open Data Webpage
This week, as a part of the government-wide Open Data Policy, VA launched its (http://www.va.gov/data) open data webpage. The page aims to introduce the user to VA's open data, convey a clear and simple understanding of what open data is, and highlight a few of the most valuable open data sets: VA (https://raw.github.com/va-data/va-facil ... ities.json) Facilities Locations, (https://raw.github.com/va-data/va-resou ... tance.json) Homeless Resources, and (https://raw.github.com/va-data/va-resou ... pport.json) Family Caregiver Services. For more information, read VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/11703/v ... a-webpage/) VAntage Point Blog.
For more on veteran benefits programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.