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Blinded American Veterans Foundation - org. 1985Blinded American Veterans Foundation - PO Box 65900 - Washington DC 20035-5900

 

 

 

 

Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment


Sgt. Shaft 11/11/2014Caricature of Sgt. Shaft

Dear Sgt Shaft

I am a retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief. I am covered by Medicare Part A/B & Tricare for Life. My wife is not Medicare eligible yet &currently has a retiree medical plan thru her former employer & has Tricare
Standard as a secondary plan. The renewal for 2015 is coming up. The cost of the commercial retiree plan is going up quite a bit. My question is if she drops her commercial retiree plan, which Tricare plan does she fall under?? Tricare Prime or does she remain Tricare Standard, until she turns 65. Thank you for the assistance in this confusing matter.

Stephen
Harker Heights, TX

 

Dear Steven
It does get a bit confusing. A spouse under age 65 has either Tricare Prime or Standard as available options. You have to enroll in Tricare Prime by going to your ID Card Office and having your DEERS record updated. Or go by your nearest military clinic or hospital. If she sticks with Tricare Standard, she's already covered. All Standard coverage requires is an ID Card and be recorded in DEERS. There is no enrollment for Standard coverage.

Make sure your doctors take Tricare Standard if she uses Standard. If you enroll in Prime, you have to go to a Prime facility. Look for Prime facilities at
www.Tricare.mil.  Hope this helps.

Shaft Notes

The Vermont Teddy Bear Company, the nation's largest producer of handcrafted teddy bears, is showing its patriotic colors with the introduction of a new line of limited edition bears to support The American Legion.

Wearing a white T-shirt and uniform cap, both featuring The American Legion emblem, the loveable handmade bear makes a thoughtful gift for a veteran, child or grandchild, or a meaningful keepsake for any Legion
member or supporter. The bear's cap can be personalized with a city, state, district, American Legion post or name of choice.

In addition, Vermont Teddy Bear has designed a line of military inspired bears from all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as a camouflage bear, also with proceeds to benefit The American Legion.

"We are proud to support The American Legion with our specially designed, one-of-a-kind, military themed bears," said Bill Shouldice, CEO of Vermont Teddy Bear Company. "Our bears have been handmade right here in the USA for more than 30 years, and now we are honored to partner with the nation's largest veterans organization focused on service to veterans, service members and communities."

Twenty percent of proceeds from sales of the bears will be donated to The American Legion to help the organization fulfill its commitment to assist those who have served, and those who are currently serving, in the U.S.
Armed Forces, and to promote patriotic values in communities everywhere.

"The American Legion has a broad range of programs for America's children, veterans and military families, and we welcome the support of Vermont Teddy Bear," American Legion National Commander Mike Helm said. "Each
purchase of these wonderfully crafted bears directly supports American Legion programs, providing the necessary resources to continue our devotion to our fellow service members and veterans."

These specially designed bears are only available through Dec. 24, 2015. They can be ordered online by visiting www.VermontTeddyBear.com/Legion or by calling toll-free at 1-800-829-BEAR (2327).

About Vermont Teddy Bear Company Vermont Teddy Bear, the  largest handcrafter of Teddy Bears in North America, lovingly designs, stuffs and stitches every Bear in Vermont. For a one-of-a-kind gift that's just as unique as the recipient, every Vermont Teddy Bear can be customized to fit a special life event, occasion or holiday. Orders can be placed by phone at 1.800.829.BEAR, where a friendly Bear Counselor(r) will assist with selection and personalization, online at www.VermontTeddyBear.com or via mail order catalog.


The Sarge joins with Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, in his release of the following statement on the release of Sgt. Tahmooressi from prison in Mexico:

"I am overjoyed Sgt. Tahmooressi has been released and is finally home, reunited with family and friends. I was honored to be one of the many legislators advocating for his release," Bilirakis said. "Now, Sgt. Tahmooressi can receive help and treatment for PTS – treatment he was unable to receive in Mexico. Like so many other Veterans, Sgt. Tahmooressi deserves timely access to quality care."

In June of 2014, Congressman Bilirakis introduced the Creating Options for Veterans’ Expedited Recovery (COVER) Act, bipartisan legislation to examine potential benefits in incorporating complementary alternative therapies for PTS, such as outdoor sports therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, accelerated resolution therapy, and service dog therapy.

The Sarge wishes all my fellow veterans a very happy Veterans Day. May you and your family enjoy the celebration while keeping safe.

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-257-5446 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

BAVF is a tax deductible organization, CFC Number 11282. Monetary gifts are gladly accepted and welcome.
To donate online, please use this link to Independent Charities of America.
Please use the address listed below when sending your contribution via postal mail or including BAVF as a beneficiary on your will.


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