3DMammograms Will be Covered by TRICARE Starting This Month: TRICARE is expanding its breast cancer screening coverage this month, starting May 29, 2020, Tricare will cover digital Breast Tomosynthesis—Known as 3D mammography or DBT—UNDER ITS PROVISIONAL COVERAGE PROGRAM. “We are extremely happy to see TRICARE step up and ensure our women veterans have access to the best preventative breast cancer screening measures,” said VFW National Commander William “Doc” Schmitz. “Breast cancer remains very challenging to conquer but this is a major victory for our women veterans in hopes of one day defeating this deadly disease,” All women over 40 are eligible for coverage. Annual coverage will also be available to women 30 and older who are deemed a high risk for developing breast cancer. TRICARE user is eligible for reimbursement if they received a 3D mammogram between Jan. 1, 2020 and May 29, 2020
A Week to Change Direction is Virtual This Year: VFW-partner, Give an Hour, will be marking Mental Health Awareness Month by holding A Week to Change Direction virtually from May 18 –24. 2020. This is a global event asking people to flood social media with posts showing how you are taking care of your emotional health and maintaining healthy habits using #Change Direction. The VFW urges everyone to learn more about mental health and to take part in changing the stigma around mental health care.
Senate Passes National Suicide Hotline Bill: Last Wednesday, the Senate passed S. 2661, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020. This legislation would designate 9.8.8 as the telephone number for the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline. The existing hotline, which can be reached by dialing 1 800 273-8255, is operated by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and through the Veterans Crisis Line. Both hotline offer confidential support from qualified responders 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Many of the responders with the veterans Crisis Hotline are veterans themselves. The VFW thanks Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) and all original cosponsors for introducing this important legislation.
TRICARE to Now Cover Telehealth Visits during COVID-19 Pandemic: Last Tuesday, it was announced that TRICARE will now cover telehealth visits by telephone and eliminate patient copays and costs shares for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes become effective on Thursday. Officials have also temporarily relaxed licensure requirements across state lines for health care providers, which will give military families access to more providers. This is in line with many states that have relaxed licensure requirements to allow providers to practice across state lines. This will especially help families in rural areas who may have a limited number of health care providers.
GAO seeking Input From Military Domestic Violence Survivors: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is looking to speak with individuals who are survivors of abuse, including neglect, physical, emotional, or sexual violence, while in a military relationship over the past six years. The survivors must have either active duty, married to a service member, or an intimate partner of one. This effort is in response to the House Armed Service Committee ordering a report to Congress on the military services’ efforts to prevent and respond to domestic violence in the ranks. GAO staff are interested in knowing of any barriers to access to resources and services the survivors may have faced following the abuse or after reporting it. Those who schedule a confidential conversation can select to speak to a male or female staff member during the interview.
New Helpline Operational for Survivor Education Benefits: Last Monday, VA announced that it opened a new helpline specifically for surviving family members who have questions relating to their educational benefits. Military surviving dependents have access to two possible educational benefits. Dependents Education Assistance or the Marine Gunnery Sgt. John D. Fry Scholarship. This new helpline can assist with both programs as well as other VA survivor benefits. You can call the helpline at 1 888 442-4551 and select Option 5 from the menu.
Attention! Attention: Now hear this; This year our VFW Post 516 will celebrate our one-hundredth year in existence. The month is October 2020. We are working on plans to celebrate this big event. I will keep you informed.
