http://www2.mozcom.com/~rao_cabr
PERMANENT
DATA: CHANGES
ARE INDICATED BY AN ASTERISK (*)ABOVE
THE SUBJECT...
DISCLAIMER:
ADS
IN THIS PUBLICATION ARE PUBLISHED AS A SERVICE TO OUR READERS.... THEIR
PUBLICATION
DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AIR FORCE OR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
ENDORSEMENT OF THE PRODUCTS OR SERVICE...
RAO: WE WOULD LIKE FOR EVERY MILITARY RETIREE, DEPENDENT, WIDOW(ER), ACTIVE DUTY OR OTHER AMERICANS TO KNOW THAT YOU CAN RECEIVE ASSISTANCE AT OUR OFFICE.... WE DON'T HAVE MONEY; HOWEVER, WE CAN HELP OR KNOW PEOPLE WHO CAN... AS AREA EMBASSY WARDEN AND RAO DIRECTOR, MOST PROBLEMS CAN BE RESOLVED HERE OR WITH A REFERRAL (THIS ALSO APPLIES TO AMERASIANS CHILDREN).... IN GENERAL, IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO, THE RAO IS A GOOD PLACE TO START... AS YOU HAVE NOTICED, WE USE MANY OF THE SAME ARTICLES OVER EACH MONTH WITH UPDATES; OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE NEWCOMERS WITH COMPLETE DATE & TO UPDATE THE "OLE TIMERS"... WE HAVE MANY READERS THAT ARE ASKING ABOUT THEIR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER BEFORE PUBLICATION; THESE ARE THE MEMBERS WHO STAY CURRENT... ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN, WE HAVE OTHERS WHO DO NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NEWSLETTERS UNTIL THEY HAVE A PROBLEM... THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THE ENTIRE NEWSLETTER WITH BACKGROUND DATA TO BECOME AWARE OF THE SERVICE THAT ARE AVAILABLE...
BUILDING
FUND FOR A PERMANENT RAO HOME: As most
are aware our RAO was fully supported by Clark Air Base until closure
during Nov 1991 when we moved to our present location... With excellent
Medical Care, Tricare For Life (TFL), the Champva for life program, VA
and other services available, our area is fast becomming a very popular
choice for retirement... In order to provide adequate support for present
and protected increases in our retiree population, we plan to purchase
our own lot and building and establish a permanent home to ensure continued
support inthe future... To the best of my knowledge we are the only
Official
RAO in the Philippines and is inspected/operated in accordance with
AFI
36-3106... In addition to the RAO, I guess most realize that we provide
much more than RAO Support: U.S. Embassy Warden, IRS Certifying Agent,
Maintains Forms, Central Point of Contact, provide FPO support and numerous
other services to our community... Our office is operated as the Jim
Boyd Foundation, registered with the Philippine Security and Exchange
Commission (SEC) and with the United States IRS... The foundation is non-profit
and operated from donations... Our goal is $65,000.00 for
this project... If you would like to donate, please make out your check
to the “Jim Boyd Foundation” and mail to: JIM BOYD
FOUNDATION
PSC 517 BOX R C
FPO AP 96517-1000
RAO SATELLITES: WE HAVE ESTABLISHED RAO SATELLITES AT BACOLOD, CAGAYAN DE ORO, CEBU, DAGUPAN, DAVAO, LAOAG, LA UNION & LEYTE...... "CLICK THE LINK TO SEE LOCATIONS"... ALSO WOULD LIKE TO ESTABLISH SAME IN PALAWAN & OTHER LOCATIONS....... IF INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT THE RAO... RESPONSIBILITY OF RAO SATELLITES WOULD BE TO:
RAO BUSINESS: WHEN WE FIRST OPEN IN THE MORNINGS, THERE IS USUALLY A LINE OF PEOPLE WAITING.... WE MUST TAKE CARE OF EMERGENCIES FIRST; THEREFORE, THE BEST TIME FOR ROUTINE SERVICE IS BETWEEN 1030-1300 HRS... WE DON'T WANT TO KEEP YOU WAITING WITH ALL THAT COLD SAN MIGUEL & BUD NEXT DOOR...
RAO SCHOLARSHIPS: THANKS TO DONATIONS, WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE ONE SCHOLARSHIP THIS SCHOOL YEAR… WOULD LIKE TO INCREASE THIS BY NEXT SEMESTER IF WE RECEIVE SUFFICIENT DONATIONS… OUR FOUNDATION IS TAX EXEMPT (REF OUR WEB SITE) IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THE RAO SCHOLARSHIP, DROP BY THE RAO OR MAIL US A CHECK…
RAO “MINI” LIBRARY: WE HAVE A SELECTION OF POCKETBOOKS AND MAGAZINES THAT CAN BE CHECKED OUT UPON REQUEST… ALSO HAVE A SET OF ENCYCLOPEDIAS; HOWEVER, OUR COPY IS OVER TEN YEARS OLD… WE ALSO PROVIDE POCKETBOOKS AND MAGAZINES TO OUR CHAMPUS PARTICIPATING HOSPITAL… IF YOU HAVE EXCESS BOOKS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE, PLEASE SEE ME AT THE RAO…
RETIREE NEWS ON LINE: If you have missed your afterburner and would like to keep current with all usaf retiree information just pull up afpc web www.afpc.randolph.af.miland click on retiree news... All the other services have their own web, Army www.odcsper.army.milNavy www.bupers.navy.milCoast guards www.uscg.mil Marines www.manpower.usmc.mil
SCHOOLS IN ANGELES CITY: WE HAVE FOUR VA APPROVED SCHOOLS IN OUR AREA: ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION (AUF), MCARTHUR HIGHWAY ANGELES CITY, E-MAIL: auf@auf.edu.ph / auf@hotmail.com; WEBSITE: www.auf.edu.ph; HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY (HAU), STO. ROSARIO ST. ANGELES CITY, E-MAIL: hau@hau.edu.ph; WEBSITE: www.hau.edu.ph; (LIBRARY) univ_libr@hau.edu.ph; REPUBLIC CENTRAL COLLEGE (RCC), PLARIDEL ST. ANGELES CITY, TEL (63 45) 888 2853 AND SYSTEM PLUS, STA. ISABEL BLDG. MCARTHUR HIGHWAY BALIBAGO ANGELES CITY, E-MAIL: joleen@mail.ange.sequel.net… FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN, THERE ARE SEVERAL SCHOOLS TO SELECT FROM AND MOST ALL TEACH IN ENGLISH… SCHOOLS ARE RATED VERY GOOD AND CAN ACCOMMODATE YOUR NEEDS FROM KINDERGARDEN TO A PHD… AUF ALSO HAS A MEDICAL SCHOOL… COST OF THE SCHOOLS ARE $700-2,000. IN OUR AREA PER YEAR DEPENDING ON COURCES AND SCHOOLS SELECTED… EXAMPLE A MASTER DEGREE WOULD COST BETWEEN $400-700. DEPENDING ON THE UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE SELECTED…
MILITARY RETIREES ARE URGED TO READ PENSION ADS CAREFULLY: “RETIRED MILITARY MEMBERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THERE ARE COMPANIES THAT WILL OFFER A LARGE LUMP SUM OF CASH IN EXCHANGE FOR RETIREMENT PENSION CHECKS… RETIREES BEWARE! THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE NAVAL PERSONNEL COMMAND RETIRED ACTIVITIES BRANCH: “WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER PAYING MORE THAN 50% IN INTEREST ON A LOANS?? THAT’S RIGHT, 50%! LIKE MOST PEOPLE, PROBABLY NOT… YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THERE ARE COMPANIES THAT WILL OFFER TO GIVE A LARGE LUMP SUM OF CASH IN EXCHANGE FOR YOU TO PURCHASE LIFE INSURANCE FROM THEM AS WELL… IN AN ACTUAL OFFER, THE RETIRED PAY OF AN O-4 WAS $2557 PER MONTH… HE WAS OFFERED $75,237 LUMP SUM AND WOULD HAVE TO AGREE TO PAY BACK $191,258 OVER AN EIGHT YEAR PERIOD! YOU DO THE MATH… THESE COMPANIES APPEAR TO BE OPERATING LEGALLY AND COMPLY WITH FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS… BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN IT IS A GOOD DEAL! BEWARE AND BE CAREFUL...” BUCKLEY ANGB COLORADO
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: BET YOU THOUGHT THAT YOU GOT AWAY FROM THIS TERMINOLOGY WHEN YOU RETIRED… SORRY, CAN'T LET YOU OFF THAT EASY… AS MOST REMEMBER FROM PINATUBO DAYS, IT PAYS TO BE PREPARED FOR NATURAL OR MAN MADE DISASTERS… THE PHILIPPINES HAS ITS SHARE OF EARTHQUAKES, VOLCANOS, TYPHOONS AND WE MUST PLAN ACCORDINGLY… WITH VOLCANOS AND TYPHOONS, WE SHOULD HAVE AMPLE WARNING AND STOCK UP ON SUPPLIES SUCH AS NONPERISHABLE FOODS, DRINKING WATER, FLASHLIGHTS WITH EXTRA BATTERIES, CANDLES, MEDICATION, COOKING GAS, FULL TANK OF FUEL FOR YOUR VEHICLE AND OTHER SUPPLIES YOU WOULD NORMALLY NEED FOR ABOUT TEN DAYS… ALWAYS SHOULD MAINTAIN A FEW DAYS OF EMERGENCY SUPPLIES IN CASE OF EARTHQUAKE'S OR MAN MADE DISASTERS… WE SHOULD ALSO PLAN ON HAVING EXTRA FUNDS OR CREDIT CARDS IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES… REALIZE THIS IS SOMETIMES HARD TO DO ON A TIGHT BUDGET; HOWEVER, THIS IS WHERE A CREDIT CARD COULD COME IN HANDY… SHOULD ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FAMILY'S PASSPORTS UP TO DATE AND NEWBORNS REGISTERED WITH THE EMBASSY… HARD TO DO THESE THING DURING EMERGENCIES... NOTIFICATION SYSTEM DURING EMERGENCIES; WE HAVE ARRANGEMENT WILL CABLE TV TO USE CHANNEL 3 DURING EMERGENCIES TO KEEP YOU INFORMED… IF POWER IS OUT, WE WILL PASS ON THIS INFORMATION TO ALL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS… OUR OFFICE WILL BE OPEN, WORKING WITH U.S. EMBASSY AND THE LOCAL GOV’T TO PROVIDE INFORMATION/SERVICES AS REQUIRED…
PHILIPPINE DRIVERS LICENSE RENEWAL: CAN RENEW AT SM MALL CLARK...
LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO): Emphasis is now being placed on early warning devices (EWD)... To avoid a fine and possible driving privileges suspension it would be wise to have the EWD in your vehicle at all times and don’t forget to keep seat belts buckled or be ready to donate... Appears that if you comply with the above, keep your registration current, obtain license plates asap after purchase of a vehicle and wear a helmet if riding a motorcycle/scooter there should not be too many problems with local police... According to the LTO, Dau, tourist with valid drivers license from country of origin are allowed to drive in the Philippines up to 90 days from date of arrival... Be sure to carry your passport & drivers license for proof... Must be a permanent residence to obtain a Philippine driver'’s license...
JOBS: WE HAVE A LISTING ON OUR BULLETIN BOARD, (ALL OVERSEAS)… HOPE TO HAVE LOCAL JOBS IN THE FUTURE…
WORK PERMITS FOR FOREIGNERS: If you are going to work in the Philippines, be sure to obtain a work permit from the Philippine Dept. of Labor and Employment... Failure to do so could jeopardize your visa status... Drop by the office for additional data on this subject....
BULLETIN BOARD: FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET, WE POST ALL ITEMS OF INTEREST PLUS CORRESPONDENCE FROM SOCIAL SECURITY, VA, U.S. EMBASSY, DOD, ALL MILITARY BRANCHES AND JOB DATA…
MANY LOSE G. I. BILL BENEFITS: More than 40 percent of Montgomery G. I. Bill benefits go unused each year, according to officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs. “ Once (people) separate from active –duty, they have up to 10 years to use all their G. I. Bill benefits,” said VA Representative Tan Johnson. This means an individual who starts attending college eight years after leaving the service will have only two years to complete a degree. “That’s why we strongly encourage people to use this entitlement because you’ve earned it, you’ve paid into it, and you don’t want to lose your money,” Mrs. Johnson said. Currently, the program pays more than $1, 000 a month for 36 months to eligible veterans. The new G. I. Bill buy-up program offers an additional incentive. Individuals pay an extra $600 to receive an additional $5, 400 in education benefits. SOURCE: AFN
COLA FOR 2008 2.3%: NOT A VERY LARGE INCREASE BUT BETTER THAN A HAND SHAKE… FOR THOSE WITH MEDICARE PART B, THE MONTHLY COST WILL INCREASE FROM $93.50 TO $96.40…
CLARK WEB: FOR THOSE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN A PICTORIAL SCENES FROM CLARK AIR BASE, ANGELES CITY AND THE SURROUNDING AREA DURING THE PAST 50 YEARS PLUS, WEB http://zcap.freeyellow.com/clark.html DOES A GREAT JOB OF CAPTURING SOME OF CLARKS FINEST DAYS...
WEBSITES: http://www.balibago.com(BALIBAGO) / http://www.swaggy.com(SWAGMAN)/ http://www.angeles2.com\board(SOUL GARDEN) / http://www.theville.com(MARGARITAVILLE) THESE WEBSITES MAY BE OF INTEREST TO ANYONE WHO PLANS TO VISIT THE ANGELES CITY AREA… WEBSITES INCLUDE: HOTELS, TRANSPORTATION, NIGHTLIFE, AND SEVERAL OTHER SUBJECTS… ANGELES CITY AREA IS GROWING (FAST) AND OBSOLETE SERVICE AND SHOPPING IS A THING OF THE PAST… WE HAVE VERY GOOD TELEPHONE SERVICES (WITH A CHOICE) AND SHOPPING FOR A CAR, HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES, COMPUTERS, GROCERY AND MODERN BANKING IS ROUTINE AND ENJOYABLE IN MOST CASES…
THINKING ABOUT OPENING A BUSINESS IN THE PHILIPPINES??: Your first stop should be web http://www.sec.gov.ph ... The philippine security and exchange commission has published the following Do’s and Don’ts for investors;
PHILIPPINE TRAVEL ATLAS: UNITED TOURIST PROMOTIONS (UTP) IN COOPERATION WITH THE PHILIPPINES DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM HAS PUBLISHED A 100 PAGE ATLAS FOR THE PHILIPPINES WHICH IS A FIRST TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE… EVERY REGION IN THE PHILIPPINES IS COVERED BY DETAILED FULL COLOR MAPS FOCUSING ON MAJOR TOURIST DESTINATIONS INCLUDING HISTORICAL SITES, CHURCHES, SHRINES, FESTIVALS IN A USER FRIENDLY FORMAT… PUBLICATION RELEASE DATE IS LATER THIS MONTH AND THE COST IS P495.00… UTP ALSO HAS SOME OF THE BEST MAPS THAT I HAVE FOUND THAT INCLUDES MAJOR CITIES AND EVEN CLARK FIELD… NORMALLY ITEMS LIKE THIS ARE NOT A NEWS ITEMS; HOWEVER, WHEN THE FIRST USER FRIENDLY MAPS ARE PUBLISHED FOR THE PHILIPPINES, I CONSIDER THAT NEWS… THE PRESIDENT OF UTP IS ONE OF OUR RETIREES, CHARLIE KEMPLIN, E-MAIL ADD: utp@mozcom.com
PHILIPPINE TAX: Have received several inquires concerning tax in the Philippines.. Income/Retirement received from abroad is not taxable in the Philippines; however, Philippine income is subject to taxes... If you plan to operate a business in the Philippines i recommend you obtain the service of a local accountant... U.S. tax: we have most all the forms and instructions and can refer you to CPA if you need assistance...
TRAVEL IN THE PHILIPPINES: SHOULD ALWAYS CHECK OUR BULLETIN BOARD OR THE U.S. EMBASSY WEB SITE www.usembassy.state.gov/manila FOR TRAVEL RESTRICTION BEFORE PLANNING TRIPS... GENERALLY, TRAVEL IN THE PHILIPPINES IS CONSIDERED SAFE; HOWEVER,THERE HAS BEEN KIDNAPPINGS ON THE ISLANDS SOUTH OF MINDANAO PLUS MILITARY OPERATIONS ARE ONGOING...
PHILIPPINES
- CONSULAR INFORMATION SHEET: COUNTRY
DESCRIPTION: The
Philippines is a developing democratic republic located in Southeast Asia.
The archipelago consists of more than 7,000 islands, of which 880 are inhabited.
The major island groupings are Luzon in the north, the Visayas in the center,
and Mindanao in the south. Tourist facilities are available within population
centers and the main tourist areas. English is widely spoken in the Philippines,
and most signs are in English.
ENTRY/EXIT
REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizens may enter the Philippines without
a visa upon presentation of their U.S. passport, which must be valid for
at least six months after entry, and a return ticket to the United States
or an onward ticket to another country. Upon arrival, immigration authorities
will annotate the U.S. passport with an entry visa valid for 21 days. If
you plan to stay longer than 21 days, you must apply for an extension at
the Philippine Bureau of Immigration and Deportation; Magallanes Drive;
Intramuros, Manila, Philippines http://www.immigration.gov.ph). There are
special requirements for the entry of unaccompanied minors. A Passenger
Service Charge, currently 550 Pesos (approximate USD equivalent $11.00),
must be paid in Philippine Pesos when departing the country from international
airports. For further information on entry/exit requirements, please contact
the Embassy of the Philippines at: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.; Washington,
D.C. 20036 (telephone: (202) 467-9300), or via the Internet at http://www.philippineembassy.usa.org.
In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments
have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring
documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel
from the parent(s) or legal guardian if not present. Having such documentation
on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.
SAFETY/SECURITY:
Although much of the Philippines is hospitable to travel, a number of security-related
incidents highlight the risk of travel in certain areas due to incidents
of kidnapping, bombings, and other violence and criminal activity. The
Philippine government has been engaged on and off in negotiations with
Communist and Muslim rebel groups. Nonetheless, rebel activity and armed
banditry in certain areas of the Philippines still pose security concerns.
The Communist Party of the Philippines and its terrorist military arm,
the New People's Army, remain active throughout the country and have issued
public threats against U.S. citizens and interests in the Philippines.
Americans are urged to exercise caution when traveling throughout the country
and are specifically warned to avoid hiking or camping in the vicinity
of Mt. pinatubo in Pampanga Province. In Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago,
kidnappings, bombings, violence, and insurgent activity make travel hazardous
in many areas. The terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has kidnapped several
Americans and other foreign tourists since April 2000. Some were freed
after substantial ransoms were paid, some escaped or were rescued by military
action, and some were killed. Other idnapping gangs operate in the same
general area and have abducted a number of foreigners for ransom. Americans
should defer travel to isolated beach resorts in the southern portion of
the Philippines. Americans should also avoid travel to the central, southern
and western areas of the island of Mindanao, including Zamboanga City and
General Santos City, as well as to the islands of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and
Jolo located in the Sulu archipelago in the extreme southwest of the Philippines.As
a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, U.S.
citizens and interests may also be at increased risk of terrorist actions
from foreign or domestic extremist groups in the Philippines. There are
periodic reports of plans for possible terrorist acts aimed at U.S. Government
facilities or personnel, public and private institutions, and transportation
carriers. The U.S. Embassy takes all such threats seriously. The State
Department reminds all Americans traveling or living abroad of the need
to remain vigilant with regard to personal security issues and to always
follow some very basic and important security countermeasures: do not establish
a pattern or routine in movement and travel; vary the times and routes
taken to the extent possible; maintain a low profile; and immediately report
any unusual activity, to include possible surveillance, to the Philippine
Police and the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy. The
Embassy recommends that all travelers to the Philippines visit the Department
of State web site at http://www.state.gov for the latest security and travel
information. Travelers are also encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy
in Manila at tel. (63)(2) 523-1001 for an update of the current security
situation, especially if planning to travel outside the Metro Manila area.
CRIME
INFORMATION: As in many of the major metropolitan areas in the
United States, crime is a serious concern in Metro Manila. As a rule of
thumb, Americans are advised to exercise good judgment and remain aware
of their surroundings. Reports of confidence games, pick-pocketing and
credit card fraud are common. If someone offers you a deal that is too
good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of unknown individuals who attempt
to befriend you, especially just after you have arrived in country. A number
of recent robberies and assaults involving the "date rape drug" (known
locally as Ativan) have occurred; the drug is generally administered to
unwitting visitors via food or drink. It is best not to accept food, drink
or rides in private vehicles from strangers even if they appear legitimate.
A number of recent kidnappings and violent assaults, especially of foreigners,
in the Metro Manila area has occurred, although Americans have not been
specifically targeted in such crimes. There have also been reports of vehicles
with foreign passengers being robbed by gunman while driving to and from
the international airport.It is best not to flaunt your nationality and
to maintain a low profile. Avoid wearing large amounts of jewelry, and
do not carry large amounts of money. Visitors should use safety deposit
boxes at hotels. Taxis are the recommended form of public transportation;
however, the following safeguards are important: do not enter a taxi if
it has already accepted another passenger, and request that the meter be
used. If the driver is unwilling to comply with your requests, it is best
to wait for another cab. It is also a good idea to make a mental note of
the license plate number should there be a problem. When driving in the
city, make certain that the doors are locked and the windows rolled up.
All other forms of public transportation, such as the light rail system,
buses, and "jeepneys" should be avoided for both safety and security reasons.
Visitors should also be vigilant when using credit cards. One common form
of credit card fraud involves the illicit use of an electronic device to
retrieve and record information, including the PIN, from the card's magnetic
strip. The information is then used to make unauthorized purchases. To
limit your vulnerability to this scam, never let your card out of your
sight. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately
to the local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If you
are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local
police, please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance.
The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate
medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds
could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the
crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers
can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find
an attorney if needed. U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's
pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad," for ways to promote a trouble-free journey.
The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents;
U.S. Government Printing Office; Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet
at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs
home page at http://travel.state.gov.
MEDICAL
FACILITIES: Adequate medical care is available in major cities,
but even the best hospitals may not meet the standards of medical care,
sanitation, and facilities provided by hospitals in the United States.
Medical care is limited in rural and more remote areas. Most hospitals
will require a down payment of estimated fees at the time of admission.
Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation
to the United States can cost several thousands of dollars or more. Doctors
and hospitals in the Philippines often expect immediate cash payment for
health services. A list of doctors and medical facilities in the Philippines
can be found on the web page of the U.S. Embassy in Manila at http://www.usembassy.state.gov/manila.
MEDICAL
INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to
consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad
to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency
expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom
cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental
coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do
not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However,
many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will
cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services
such as medical evacuations. When making a decision regarding health insurance,
Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require
payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation
to the United States may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers
who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When
consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, please ascertain whether
payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will
be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also
include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains
in the event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad,
including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of
State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, "Medical Information for Americans
Traveling Abroad," available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page:
http://travel.state.gov or by auto f ax at (202) 647-3000.
OTHER
HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations and other health
precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection,
may he obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline
for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax l-888-CDC-FAXX
(1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel.
For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, please consult
the World Heath Organization's website at http://www.who.int/en. Further
health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/iht.
TRAFFIC
SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: Travel within the Philippine archipelago
is possible by boat, plane, bus, or car. Few tourists rent a car to drive,
as the road system is crowded and drivers are undisciplined. Driving off
the national highways and paved roads is particularly dangerous, especially
at night, and should be avoided. To avoid overcrowded or unsafe transport,
Americans should exercise caution in planning travel by older, inter-island
ferryboats or other public conveyances. While in a foreign country, U.S.
citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those
in the United States. The information below concerning the Philippines
is provided for general reference only, and it may not be totally accurate
in a particular location or circumstance. Safety of Public Transportation:
Fair Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance:
Poor Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor For additional general
information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites,
please see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page
at http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html. For specific information concerning
Philippine driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory
insurance, please contact the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. at
tel. (202) 467-9300 or via the Internet at http://www.philippineembassy.usa.org.
Please see also related information from the Philippine Department of Tourism
at http://www.tourism.gov.ph and http://www.dotpcvc.gov.ph.
AVIATION
SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
has assessed the Government of the Philippines' civil aviation authority
as Category 1 -- in compliance with international aviation safety standards
for oversight of the Philippines' air carrier operations. For further information,
travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the United
States at tel. (800) 322-7873, or visit the FAA's Internet Website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air
carriers
for suitability as official providers of air services. For information
regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the
DOD at tel. (618) 229-4801.CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Philippines customs authorities
may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or
export from the Philippines of items such as firearms and currency. It
is advisable to contact the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C.
or one of the Philippine consulates in the United States (Chicago, Honolulu,
Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco) for specific information regarding
customs requirements.
CRIMINAL
PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject
to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly
from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available
to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can he
more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating
Philippine laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict,
and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Capital punishment
is possible for certain drug-related crimes. Fraud, swindling and "bad
debts" are also serious criminal offenses in the Philippines, as is the
illegal recruitment of Philippine citizens for employment overseas. The
Philippine government also has strict laws against the possession of firearms,
and several foreigners have been sentenced to life imprisonment for bringing
firearms into the country. Americans who are arrested overseas should immediately
ask to contact a U.S. Embassy representative.
SPECIAL
CIRCUMSTANCES: MARRIAGE IN THE PHILIPPINES: A foreigner who wishes
to many in the Philippines is required by the Philippine Government to
obtain from his/her Embassy a "Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract
Marriage" before filing an application for a marriage license. Because
there is no national register of marriages in the United States, the U.S.
Embassy cannot provide such a certification. As a result, the Philippine
government will accept an "Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal
Capacity to Contract Marriage" in its place. Americans may execute this
affidavit at the U.S. Embassy in Manila any day, Monday-Friday, between
8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. except for Philippine or American holidays. The
American must present his/her U.S. passport. There is a fee of $30.00 or
its peso equivalent for the affidavit, payable in cash only. Philippine
authorities will not accept any substitute document initiated in the United
States. U.S. military personnel should contact their personnel office before
traveling to the Philippines regarding Department of Defense joint service
regulations. Execution of the affidavit by a U.S. consular officer is a
Notarial act and, as such, the consular officer is authorized by U.S. law
to refuse to perform the service if the document will be used for a purpose
patently unlawful, improper, or inimical to the best interests of the United
States (see 22 C.F.R. section 92.9b). Entering into a marriage contract
for the principal purpose of facilitating immigration to the United States
for an alien is an unlawful act, and the U.S. Code provides penalties for
individuals who commit perjury in an affidavit taken by a consular officer.
The Marriage Application Process: Once an American citizen has obtained
from the U.S. Embassy an "Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity
to Contract Marriage," he/she may file an application for a marriage license
at the office of the Philippine Civil Registrar in the town or city where
one of the parties is a resident. The U.S. citizen applicant must present:
(a) the affidavit; (b) the divorce decree(s) or death certificate(s), if
applicable, required to verify civil status and legal capacity to contract
marriage; (c) their U.S. passport; and (d) documentation regarding parental
consent or advice, if applicable. (Persons aged 18 to 21 must have written
parental consent to marry in the Philippines; those aged 22 to 24 must
have received parental advice. Philippine law prohibits marriage for persons
under the age of 18.). A judge, a minister or other person authorized by
the Government of the Philippines can perform the marriage. Marriage
to a U.S. citizen confers neither citizenship nor an automatic eligibility
for entry to the United States. An immigrant visa is required for a foreign
spouse to live in the United States. Questions about filing an immigrant
visa petition to bring a foreign spouse to the United States should be
directed to the nearest office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service,
the State Department's Visa Office (telephone: (202) 663-1225) or, while
in the Philippines, to the U.S. Embassy Immigrant Visa Unit at http://www.usembassy.state.gov/manila/wwwh3023.html.
DISASTER
PREPAREDNESS: The Philippines is a volcano-, typhoon- and earthquake-prone
country. During the rainy season (May to November), there are typhoons
and flash floods. Flooding can cause road delays and cut off bridges. Typhoons
in the vicinity of the Philippines can interrupt air and sea links within
the country. Volcanic activity is frequent, and periodically the Government
of the Philippines announces alerts for specific volcanoes. Earthquakes
can also occur throughout the country. General information about natural
disaster preparedness is available via the Internet from the U.S. Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov.
CHILDREN'S
ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children
and international parental child abduction, please refer to our Internet
site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or telephone at
(202) 736-7000. Under Philippine law, the mother and father of a child
are held to exercise parental control jointly, and child custody cases
are considered civil disputes. Parental abduction is not a crime. For specific
information on child custody cases in the Philippines, please consult the
web page of the U.S. Embassy in Manila at http://www.usembassy.state.gov/manila.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY
AND CONSULAR AGENCY LOCATION: Americans living in or visiting
the Philippines are encouraged to register with the Consular Section of
the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and obtain updated information on travel
and security within the Philippines. The U.S. Embassy is located at: 1201
Roxas Boulevard; Manila, Philippines tel. (63)(2) 523-1001. The Consular
American Citizen Services (ACS) section's fax number is (63)(2) 528-6300
and the ACS web page is at http://www.usembassy.state.gov/manila/wwwh3004.html.
The U.S. Consular Agency in Cebu provides limited services for U.S. citizens.
The Consular Agency address is: Third Floor, PCI Bank; Gorordo Avenue;
Lahug, Cebu City, tel. (63)(32) 231-1261. This replaces the Consular Information
Sheet dated January 21, 2000, to add or update sections on Entry/Exit Requirements,
Safety/Security, Crime Information, Medical Facilities, Medical Insurance,
Other Health Information, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, Customs Regulations,
Special Circumstances: Marriage in the Philippines, and Children's Issues.
PHILIPPINE SENIOR CITIZENS ACT 7432: Been having questions concerning whom may be eligible for this benefit... In a nutshell, you are eligible if over 60 years of age, resident of the Philippines and have an income of not more than P60,000.00 per annum... Believe most Americans would not qualify and I do not recommend you apply unless eligible based on the above qualifications...Can review this Act on Web http://www.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/Department/html/ra7432.htm
CLARK FIELD: WE KEEP RECEIVING A LOT CALLS & E-MAIL CONCERNING THE STATUS OF CLARK.. I THINK THIS MUST HAVE BEEN THE MOST POPULAR ASSIGNMENT IN THE USAF..... CLARK & THIS AREA HAD A WAY OF GROWING ON PEOPLE AND MOST THAT WERE ASSIGNED HERE HOPED TO RETURN INCLUDING MYSELF..... IN MY OPINION, THE CLARK AIR BASE REGION IS STILL THE BEST PLACE TO RETIREE OR SPEND YOUR LEAVE...... HOPEFULLY SOON A POLITICAL DECISION WILL BE MADE ON OUR SOFA (STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENT) AND WE MAY HAVE FUELING, JOINT EXERCISES & SPACE A HERE AGAIN.... WE HAVE A MILITARY ASSISTANCE OFFICE ON BASE (RAO ANNEX) TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO AIR CREWS & PASSENGERS UPON ARRIVAL AS WELL AS AIRCRAFT SUPPORT SERVICES..... AT PRESENT WE HAVE ARRANGEMENTS WITH CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATIONS TO PROCESS CREWS & PASSENGERS, TRANSPORTATION, ACCOMMODATIONS, HANDOUTS ON RECOMMENDED PLACES TO SHOP AND THINGS NOT TO DO, ARRANGE FOR FUELING, GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT, AIRCRAFT SECURITY, WORLD WIDE WEATHER REPORTS/BRIEFINGS, ASSISTANCE IN FILING FLIGHT PLANS, IN FLIGHT LUNCH SERVICE, A VIP AND CREW LOUNGE.. IN OTHER WORDS, YOU WILL FEEL AT HOME UPON YOUR ARRIVAL AT CLARK.... FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TO CLARK BEFORE YOU WILL NOTICE SOME CHANGES; THERE IS NOW A NEW FOUR LANE HIGHWAY FROM THE GATE TO THE OLD BX AREA, ABOUT TWENTY DUTY FREE STORES TO SHOP AT (SOME HAVE OVER 40,000SF OF SPACE), MCDONALDS, STEAK HOUSE, TWO HOLE 18 GOLF COURSES WITH MORE OIL TO WAY AND CHAMBERS HALL IS NOW A HOLIDAY INN (PLUSH AND EXPENSIVE )..... THE HOUSING AREA AROUND THE OLD CLARK GOLF COURSE HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO VILLAS FOR RENT BY HOLIDAY INN....... ALSO HAVE A LAS VEGAS STYLE CASINO IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS COMPLEX....... OTHER HOUSING ON BASE IS BEING PREPARED FOR LEASE (EXPENSIVE).... HOTELS DOWN TOWN RANGE FROM $20. TO $60. (LOT LIKE BEFORE)..... CLARK IS BEAUTIFUL & GREEN LIKE BEFORE AND YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW THAT A VOLCANO ERUPTED HERE DURING 1991 UNLESS SOMEONE TOLD YOU.... OTHER THAN THE 6 TO 8 INCHES OF ASH THAT HAD TO BE HAULED AWAY, CLARK DID NOT RECEIVED A LOT OF DAMAGE FROM THE VOLCANO AND ONLY NEEDED A GOOD FACE-LIFT (IN THIS CARE ABOUT 500 DUMP TRUCKS FOR A MONTH)..... MOST ALL THE LAHAR ONE HEARS ABOUT WENT AROUND CLARK AND ANGELES CITY AREA AND THE PEOPLE FROM OTHER AREAS MOVED TO ANGELES FOR SAFETY.... THIS INFLUX OF PEOPLE INCREASED THE RENT & PROPERTY VALUE IN OUR AREA; HOWEVER, YOU CAN STILL PURCHASE A HOUSE AT A REASONABLE PRICE & RENT IS FROM TWO TO FOUR HUNDRED BUCKS PER MONTH...... IMPROVEMENTS: CLARK STILL HAS THE TWO PARALLEL RUNWAYS WITH THE PRIMARY BEING 3200 X 60 METERS WITH PLANS FOR A NEW 4,000 METER RUNWAY TO BE BUILT ABOUT 1700M FROM THE ACTIVE RUNWAY BEING USED AT CIA (CLARK INT’L AIRPORT)...... CIA IS CLASSIFIED CATEGORY 4E AND IS CAPABLE OF HANDLING NIGHT AND DAY LANDING WITH STATE-OF-ART INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM (ILS)... INT’L FLIGHTS (REGIONAL) ARE ROUTINE AND HOPE TO HAVE MORE ON LINE SOON..... WARE- HOUSES ON BASE HAVE BEEN CONVERTED INTO FURNITURE/ ELECTRONIC/OTHER MFR WITH SILICON VALLEY TYPE OPERATION PLANNED IN THE FUTURE..... THE CLARK CEMETERY IS LOOKING GREAT AND BEING MAINTAINED BY THE VFW/ RETIREES AND STILL FLYING THE STARS & STRIPES....WE ARE ALLOWED TO USE THE CEMETERY FOR EX MILITARY PERSONNEL.... GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OUR COMMUNITY AND CLARK... THERE ARE PLANS TO START CONSTRUCTION OF THE MANILA-CLARK RAIL ROAD.... UNDERSTAND THIS RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE THE MANILA- CLARK TRIP IN 50 MINUTES WITH A DAILY CAPACITY OF 25000 PEOPLE IN EITHER DIRECTION... CLARK HAS JUST OPENED A NEW MUSEUM IN OUR OLD CSG HQ BLDG. AND A THEME PARK... AMERICAN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS; YOU WILL FEEL RIGHT AT HOME; WE HAVE A VFW (WITH OVER 1400 LIFE TIME MEMBERS), TWO AMERICAN LEGIONS, FLEET RESERVE, RUMPA, BEAGLE ORGANIZATION PLUS OTHERS..... MOST SERVE FIRST CLASS FOOD AND SOS JUST LIKE THE OLD MESS SGT (SMILE)...... THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES HAVE NOT CHANGED; STILL GET THE SAME SMILE & HOSPITALITY... TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE NEW ITEMS OF INTEREST AT CLARK, JUST ACCESS OUR HOMEPAGE: http://www2.mozcom.com/~rao_cabr WE UPDATE AROUND THE 3RD OF EACH MONTH.....
CLARKFIELD MUSEUM: LOCATED AT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE PARADE GROUND FROM THE FORMER 13TH AIR FORCE HQ (NOW CDC) WITH AN ANTIQUE CANNON IN FRONT...... A MUST TO SEE..... HOURS 0830-1730, MON THRU SAT, ADMISSION IS ONLY P10.; HOWEVER THEY DO ACCEPT DONATIONS... TEL (63 45) 599-3221...
CLARK-MANILA AIR SHUTTLE SERVICE: Seair, clark field has Incountry Flights... Ref Web www.flyseair.com for details...
CLARK SPACE A: Been a change in how we apply for Space A at Clark Field... We now have an AMC Representative, Ms. Angie Davis assigned to Clark Field to process your Space A application... To get your name on the list or info call or fax (045) 599-7279 or cel 0920 970 5030... Please keep in mind that she operates a one man (lady) office and may be best to use a fax... She has on line capability with AMC which is a big improvement over our previous capability....
SPACE A TRAVEL AT CLARK FIELD: We do not have scheduled Space A Flights to/from clark field; However, there are usually more seats available than passengers… If you are traveling to the Philippines, Kadena Air Base Okinawa or Yokota Air Base Japan seems to be the best connections to clark… If you need Space A out of clark, contact GS-11 Angie Davis (AMC Rep) at e-mail address angelina.davis@kadena.af.mil tel/fax (6345) 599-7279…
SPACE A TRAVEL:We are still receiving a lot of Space A inquiries a year after our AMC Rep was assigned to Clark Field... Please contact GS-11 Angie Davis at tel/fax (045) 599 7279 or e-mail address angelina.davis@kadena.af.mil concerning Space A travel... She has computer access to AMC flights and will be able to assist with your Space A needs.
SPACE-A TRAVEL HANDBOOK (NOT FREE): I RECOMMEND THIS HANDBOOK TO ANYONE WHO MAY BE THINKING ABOUT USING THE SPACE-A PROGRAM... REF WEB SITE: www.spaceatravel.com FOR ORDERING DATA... WE ALSO HAVE THE ORDER FORMS IN OUR OFFICE ANDA COPY OF THE NEW SPACE A BOOK... COST IS $25.00 PLUS $3.00 SHIPPING & HANDLING FEE... AIR FORCE RETIREE NEWS
TRAVELING ON A BUDGET: FOR TRAVEL ENTHUSIASTS ON A TIGHT BUDGET, HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON HOW TO CUT COSTS ON A TRIP:
MEDICAL
DATA
FOR RETIREES WHO ARE CONSIDERING A MOVE TO THE PHILIPPINES:
AS YOU MAY GATHER BY READING OUR NEWSLETTER/WEBSITE, I AM VERY PROUD OF
THE IMPROVEMENTS MADE IN OUR DAILY LIFE SINCE CLARK AIR BASE CLOSED BACK
IN ’91… DURING THE PINATUBO ERUPTION AND THE AGONIZING COUNTDOWN TO CLARK’S
CLOSURE, I WAS QUITE NERVOUS ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF BEING LEFT WITHOUT BASE
SUPPORT AND OUR CITY WAS BURIED IN 6-8’ OF VOLCANIC SAND WITH OUR BRIDGERS
OUT, MANY BUSINESSES WERE CLOSED AND SURVIVAL WAS THE NAME OF THE GAME…
SOMEHOW, WE GOT THROUGH THE INITIAL SHOCK AND GRADUALLY ESTABLISHED SOME
OF THE SERVICES THAT WE HAD BEEN ACCUSTOMED… THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY A
JOINT EFFORT OF THE FILIPINO-AMERICAN COMMUNITY WHO WERE DETERMINED
TO MAKE THE BEST OF AN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION… MEDICAL SUPPORT WAS
OUR PRIMARY CONCERN AND THIS IS WHERE ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION MEDICAL
CENTER (AUFMC) CAME THROUGH MUCH BETTER THAN WE COULD HAVE EVER HOPED…
MANY AUFMC PHYSICIANS HAD BEEN TRAINED AT THE CLARK REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
AND THIS JOINT ENDEAVOR PRODUCED BENEFITS THAT WE STILL ENJOY TODAY… SOME
OR OUR RETIREES-FAMILIES FOUND THEY HAD THE SAME PHYSICIAN DOWNTOWN THAT
THEY HAD ON CLARK… IN ADDITION, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY HAD RECENTLY
PURCHASED EQUIPMENT FROM A HOSPITAL THAT WAS CLOSING IN THE UNITED STATES
AND WE WERE IN PRETTY DARN GOOD SHAPE… WITH THE HELP OF THE CLARK
MEDICAL STAFF AND WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE AUF PRESIDENT & STAFF,
WE WERE ABLE TO GET AUFMC AUTHORIZED AS AN CHAMPUS PARTICIPATING HOSPITAL
WHICH SOLVED MANY OF OUR MEDICAL & FINANCIAL PROBLEMS… WE HAVE SINCE
ADDED SEVERAL HOSPITALS IN OUR AREA, TRICARE CLINICS AND HAVE SOME
OF THE BEST MEDICAL CARE IN THE PACIFIC RIM... THE VA HAS PROVIDED CARE
TO OUR MEMBERS WITH SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY WHICH I WOULD ESTIMATE
THAT COVERS ABOUT 30% OF OUR MEDICAL NEEDS… THE VA HAS A MAJOR CLINIC IN
MANILA AND HAS A “FEE BASIS PROGRAM” WHICH PROVIDE CARE IN AREAS OUTSIDE
OF MANILA… IN GENERAL, WE HAVE GOOD MEDICAL SUPPORT… FOR THOSE WHO HAVE
SEVERE MEDICAL PROBLEMS AND ARE THINKING ABOUT MOVING HERE SHOULD TAKE
INTO CONSIDERATION THE CAPABILITY WE HAVE AND THE MEDICAL PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED
IN THE UNITED STATES VS HERE… EXAMPLE, WE DO NOT HAVE MILITARY BASES, MEDICARE
IS NOT AUTHORIZED OUTSIDE OF U.S. TERRITORY AND THE VA CANNOT PROVIDE NON-SERVICE
CONNECTED MEDICAL SUPPORT… IN A NUTSHELL, IF YOU HAVE SEVERE MEDICAL PROBLEMS,
YOU SHOULD LOOKS AT OPTIONS BEFORE MOVING HERE… AS YOU GATHER BY READING
OUR NEWSLETTER, I AM VERY PROUD OF THE PHILIPPINES AND WOULD NOT CONSIDER
LIVING ANYWHERE ELSE; HOWEVER, I DO NOT DESIRE TO GIVE YOU THE IMPRESSION
THAT WE CAN PROVIDE TOTAL MEDICAL CARE… AFTER AGE SIXTY FIVE, THERE IS
NO FREE MEDICAL CARE HERE UNLESS ONE IS VA SERVICE CONNECTED AND INSURANCE
FOR THIS AGE GROUP IS NOT AVAILABLE HERE… IF ONE HAS STATESIDE INSURANCE,
I WOULD SUGGEST YOU CHECK WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY TO DETERMINE IF COVERAGE
IS EXTENDED TO OUR AREA (NEED IN WRITING)… HOPE THIS WILL GIVE YOU MORE
OF AN INFORMED OPINION BEFORE YOU PACK AND YOU CAN ALWAYS CONTACT ME BY
E-MAIL FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION…
WELCOME TO OUR PARADISE...
HOSPITALIZATION COST IN THE PHILIPPINES: IF ONE DOES NOT HAVE INSURANCE, VA SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITIES, CHAMPUS/TRICARE AND HAVE A LIMITED BUDGET, HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON HOW TO SURVIVE FINANCIALLY.... HOSPITALS & PHYSICIANS USE SOCIALIZED RATES IN COMPUTING YOUR BILLS..... EXAMPLE, YOU ARE IN A WARD AND THE COST IS P475.00 PER DAY FOR YOUR ROOM (ABOUT $10.00) AND YOUR FRIEND IS IN A P800.00 PRIVATE ROOM, YOUR FRIEND WILL NOT ONLY PAY P325.00 MORE PER DOCTOR VISIT BUT MORE FOR X-RAYS AND THE OPERATING ROOM/ SURGEONS... PHYSICIANS NORMALLY CHARGE THE SAME AS DAILY ROOM RATES PER VISIT.... SOCIALIZED RATES ARE BASED ON YOUR ABILITY TO PAY HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES... IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO PAY (USUALLY EVERY TWO DAYS), YOU ARE EITHER DISCHARGED OR SENT TO A GOV’T HOSPITAL.... AT THE GOV’T HOSPITAL, YOU MUST PAY FOR ALL MEDICATION UPFRONT... ALSO SHOULD REMEMBER, YOU WILL RECEIVE TWO BILLS UPON DISCHARGE, ONE FOR HOSPITAL SERVICES AND ONE FOR VISITING PHYSICIANS/ ANESTHESIOLOGIST/ OTHERS.... HOSPITALS USUALLY HAVE SET RATES; HOWEVER, YOU SHOULD NEGOTIATE ALL OTHER RATES PRIOR TO RECEIVING TREATMENT IF POSSIBLE...
EXPAT HEALTH CARE (PHILIPPINES ONLY): If you do not have health care insurance (Champus-Tricare/ Champva/VA or other Philippine recognized insurance) you can still obtain medical care at a very reasonable cost... Blue cross Philippines will insure up to P1,500,000.00 to 75 years of age... Ref web www.bluecross.com.ph... Can also use the Angeles General Hospital (ONA), very inexpensive...
PHILHEALTH INSURANCE (GOV’T): For those whom are permanent residents in the Philippines and don’t have any other health insurance, this may be for you... PhilHealth will allow foreign permanent residents to enroll in this program for only P100.00 (around $2.00) per month and that includes family (wife & children)... This is a long shot from full health care coverage; However, it can be used at almost all hospitals in the PI... If you live in Angeles City, we have a very good Gov’t hospital (ONA) located near the Hensonville bridge (back of the city market) and this insurance will go a lot further than at private hospitals... PhilHealth insurance is located at Nepo in Angeles City....
MEDEVAC POLICY: YOKOTA AIR BASE HAS ESTABLISHED POLICIES TO SUPPORT THE PHILIPPINES WITHIN THEIR BUDGET... SERVICE IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND WILL BE LIMITED TO: SAVING LIFE, LIMB OR EYESIGHT.. RETIREES, DEPENDENTS & WIDOWS(ER) THERETO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS MEDEVAC SERVICE.... WE CANNOT REQUEST MEDEVACS FOR TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS OR WHEN MEDICAL CARE IS AVAILABLE IN THE PHILIPPINES... PLEASE NOTE THAT COST OF CARE LOCALLY CANNOT BE A FACTOR WHEN REQUESTING THIS SERVICE......
ALL
YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MEDICARE (by Kevin G. Simpson):
“MEDICARE
IS A GOVERNMENT HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALS 65 AND OLDER
AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. IT DIVIDES COVERAGE INTO TWO PARTS, PART
A AND PART B. PART A COVERS HOSPITAL, SKILLED NURSING FACILITY, HOME
HEALTH, AND HOSPICE SERVICES. PART B COVERS SUPPLEMENTAL MEDICAL INSURANCE,
INCLUDING PHYSICIAN SERVICES, DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, LABORATORY TESTS,
THERAPY SERVICES, AMBULANCE SERVICES.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
MEDICARE IS AUTOMATICALLY AVAILABLE TO ALL PERSONS-REGARDLESS OF INCOME
WHO MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
MEDICARE PART B COST FOR 2007: THE MEDICARE PART B PREMIUM WILL INCREASE FROM $88.50 (2006) TO $93.50 FOR 2007... OF COURSE OUR COLA FOR 2007 WILL OFFSET THE INCREASE... AMOUNT OF COLA INCREASE IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME...
MEDICARE PART “D”: SOME OF OUR MEMBERS WITH STATESIDE SOCIAL SECURITY ADDRESS HAVE BEEN RECEIVING INFORMATION VIA MAIL CONCERNING PART “D” MEDICARE... THIS IS A NEW PHARMACY PROGRAM FOR MEDICARE THAT COST AROUND $37.00 PLUS PER MONTH TO ENROLL AND IS NOT BENIFICIAL OR RECOMMENDED FOR TRICARE OR CHAMPVA ELIGIBLE MEMBERS... TRICARE FOR LIFE (TFL) MEMBERS MUST HAVE MEDICARE PART A & B; HOEVER, PART “D” IS OPTIONAL, CANNOT BE USED OVERSEAS AND AS STATED ABOVE THE PROGRAM WOULD NOT BE BENEFICIAL TO TRICARE/CHAMPVA MEMBERS...
MEDICARE CARD: If you are over 65 years of age and tricare eligible, you must have a medicare card to reflect medicare part A & B eligibility... If you have lost your card or not received, you can get a replacement via interactive web www.ssa.gov...
EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE: VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEEK EMERGENCY TREATMENT AT ONE OF OUR LOCAL HOSPITAL THAT YOU TRUST WITH YOUR LIFE...... WE KEEP HAVING FUNERALS OR MEMBERS WHO DO NOT TAKE PNEUMONIA, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, DOG BITES AND STROKES, ETC..... SERIOUSLY... THE SMALL CLINIC NEXT DOOR MAY BE GOOD TO TREAT SOCIAL DISEASES; HOWEVER, I RECOMMEND THE BEST HOSPITAL AVAILABLE FOR LIFE THREATENING MATTERS... THIS SHOULD BE PLANNED IN ADVANCE & ADVISE YOUR DOMESTIC HELP/HONEY-KO...
COST OF MEDICAL CARE: LIKE MOST OTHER PLACES, HEALTH CARE IS NOT GETTING ANY CHEAPER...... IF YOU HAVE INSURANCE, THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL USUALLY MONITOR THE COST; HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE PAYING THE BILL AND THE MEDICAL CONDITION IS NOT AN EMERGENCY, IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO ASK YOUR PHYSICIAN/SURGEON ABOUT THE COST... TOO LATE TO COMPLAIN AFTER THE PROCEDURE HAS BEEN COMPLETED.. HOSPITAL COST AT OUR CHAMPUS PARTICIPATING HOSPITALS ARE COMPUTERIZED AND THEY WILL PROVIDE A DAILY READOUT UPON REQUEST.. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PROFESSIONAL FEES ARE NOT PART OF THE HOSPITAL COST & YOU WILL BE BILLED SEPARATELY BY YOUR ATTENDING PYSICIAN(S)/SURGEON..... THE HOSPITAL DOES NOT HAVE CONTROL OVER THIS COST AND THAT IS A GOOD REASON WHY YOU SHOULD FIND OUT BEFORE HAND... ANYTIME YOU THINK YOU WERE OVER BILLED, PLEASE CONTACT ME....
EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE FOR LOCAL NATIONALS/FOREIGNERS WITHOUT FUNDS:HELPING ANYONE WITH A MEDICAL EMERGENCY IS NATURAL FOR MOST AMERICANS; HOWEVER, YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF SOME OF THE LOCAL CUSTOMS... IF YOU TAKE ANYONE TO THE HOSPITAL/EMERGENCY ROOM, BE SURE TO INFORM THE HOSPITAL THAT YOU ONLY PROVIDED ASSISTANCE AND WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY BILLS UNLESS YOU DESIRE TO PAY... IF YOU ARE GOING TO PAY THE BILL, THERE IS ANGELES GENERAL HOSPITAL LOCATED AT PAMPANG, EMERGENCY DISTRICT HOSPITAL LOCATED AT MABALACAT AND SAN FERNANDO PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL WHICH ARE CONSIDERED GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND THE BILL WILL BE LESS PAINFUL...
ANGELES GENERAL HOSPITAL (GOV'T HOSP): LOCATED NEAR THE PAMPANG PUBLIC MARKET AREA, ANGELES CITY.. THIS IS A GOOD NO-FRILLS GOV'T HOSPITAL FOR PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD BETTER. THE EQUIPMENT, SERVICE FOR COMFORT OF THIS HOSPITAL CANNOT BE COMPARED TO AUF MEDICAL CENTER NOR WAS THAT THE INTENTION... EXAMPLES; YOU CAN HAVE AN AIRCON SEMI PRIVATE ROOM (4BEDS) FOR P170.00 PER DAY OR ABOUT P500.00 PER DAY (CHEAPER THAN A HOTEL)... MEDICINE MUST BE PAID AS YOU USE BASIS... WE HAD ONE PATIENT WHO STAYED ABOUT A WEEK IN THIS HOSPITAL AND HIS TOTAL BILL WAS LESS THAN $100.00... IF ONE IS NOT AUTHORIZED CHAMPUS/VA /NOR HAVE INSURANCE AND LIVE ON A LIMITED BUDGET, THIS MAY BE A GOOD ALTERNATIVE... WE'VE HAD SEVERAL MEMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE NOT SEEKED MEDICAL ATTENTION BECAUSE OF COST.... HOPE YOU WILL TAKE THIS ALTERNATIVES SERIOUSLY... WE HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE HOSPITAL STAFF TO CONTACT US WHEN AMERICANS ARE ADMITTED AND WE WILL MONITOR YOUR HOSPITAL STAY... NOTE: MONITOR DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE ARE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A DAILY SUPPLY OF SAN MIGUEL...
EMERGENCY
VA CARE AT AUF/DEE WHA LIONG & MT. CARMEL MEDICAL CENTER:THE
VA CLINIC IN MANILA MUST BE NOTIFIED WITHIN 72 HRS OF YOUR ADMITTANCE...
THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY; NOT THE HOSPITAL... MOST ROOMS HAVE A TELEPHONE
AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE A BIG PROBLEM... TEL NO. IS 02-833-4566
TO
69
AND THE FAX NO. IS 02-831-4454... IF YOU OR A FAMILY MEMBER ARE
UNABLE TO CONTACT THE VA, I CAN DO THIS FOR YOU DURING MY DAILY VISITS...
SHOULD THE VA CLINIC DETERMINE THAT YOUR MEDICAL CONDITION IS NOT SERVICE
CONNECTED, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HOSPITAL BILL...WHEN ADMITTED
FOR A VA EMERGENCY, PLEASE DO NOT ASK THE HOSPITAL TO GIVE YOU A "GENERAL
OVERHAUL"... YOU ARE ADMITTED FOR THE VA EMERGENCY ONLY... IF YOU HAVE
OTHER VA PROBLEMS YOU WOULD LIKE CORRECTED, MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE
VA OUT-PATIENT CLINIC... SHOULD YOU DECIDE TO HAVE CHAMPUS CARE WHILE IN
THE HOSPITAL FOR A VA SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED
TO PAY THE HOSPITAL UPON DISCHARGE AND SUBMIT YOUR OWN CHAMPUS CLAIM...
ALSO BEEN A PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL VA PATIENTS CLAIMING TO HAVE SERVICE CONNECTED
DISABILITIES WHEN SAME IS NOT RECORDED ON THE VA RECORDS... THE AUF MEDICAL
CENTER EMERGENCY ROOM HAS BEEN INSTRUCTED TO ONLY TREAT EMERGENCY CASES
FOR VA PATIENTS... CANNOT USE THE HOSPITAL FOR ROUTINE VA CARE UNLESS YOU
HAVE A LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION FROM THE VA CLINIC, MANILA...
NEW
VA POLICY: ALL VA PATIENTS ARE CONSIDERED PRIVATE PATIENTS
UNTIL APPROVED BY THE VA CLINIC...
*
EMERGENCY ROOM MEDICAL SERVICES:
EMERGENCY ROOM MEDICAL SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL HOSPITALS
IN OUR AREA INCLUDING THE ONES LISTED AS TRICARE/VA IN THIS NEWSLETTER…
COST OF VISITS ARE USUALLY P300. UP DEPENDING ON THE MEDICAL PROBLEM… IF
YOU ARE VISITING OUR AREA OR LIVE HERE, THESE EMERGENCIES ROOMS ARE A GREAT
PLACE TO RECEIVE MEDICAL CARE AND IF NEEDED HOSPITALIZATION… EMERGENCY
ROOMS ARE GENERALLY NOT CROWDED (LIKE IN THE U.S.) AND SERVICE IS VERY
GOOD... NOTICED IN THE NEWSPAPER THAT YOU CAN ALSO PURCHASE EMERGENCY ROOM
CARDS (ER CARD) FOR P350. AT SM BUSINESS CENTERS NATIONWIDE AND WESTERN
UNIONS WHICH ARE LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE AREA… CARD IS AVAILABLE FROM AGE
4-64 AND WILL PAY UP TO P5,000.00 FOR EMERGENCY ROOM SERVICE…
LOCATING MEDICAL RECORDS
OF DEPENDENT WHOM RECEIVED MEDICAL CARE AT MILITARY BASES:
DEPENDENTS THAT RECEIVED
MEDICAL CARE ON U.S. MILITARY BASES AND NEED A COPY OF THEIR MEDICAL
http:/www.archives.gov/st-louis/civilian-personnel/public-services.html#DMF...
ALSO HAVE THE FORM AND INSTRUCTIONS
AT OUR RAO..
HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE: “Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness. However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let-up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again. Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital. Tell as many people as possible about this. It could save their lives. "SOURCE: Retiree Report SAFB
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE/HYPERTENSION: WE ARE HAVING MORE PEOPLE HOSPITALIZED THAN NORMAL FOR FAILING TO MANAGE HIS/HER BLOOD PRESSURE… ONCE YOU HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED AS HAVING HYPERTENSION, YOU SHOULD STAY ON YOUR MEDICATION UNTIL YOUR PHYSICIAN ADVISES YOU OTHERWISE… WITH A PROPER DIET AND EXERCISE PROGRAM, ONE CAN PREVENT THIS PROBLEM IS MOST CASES AND THE ONES WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE CAN LOWER THEIRS… JUST NEED TO MAKE AN EXERCISE PROGRAM PART OF YOUR DAILY SCHEDULE AND EAT PROPERLY (NOT A LIQUID DIET)… EVERYONE THAT HAS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SHOULD HAVE A BLOOD PRESSURE KIT AND MONITOR AT LEAST WEEKLY TO INSURE YOUR MEDICATION IS STILL EFFECTIVE…
TB (TUBERCULOSIS): A VERY HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THE PHILIPPINE POPULATION IS AFFECTED WITH THIS PROBLEM; THEREFORE, EVEN WITH THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF PRECAUTION, ONE STANDS A VERY GOOD CHANCE OF EXPOSURE… ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMS PLUS HAVING EVERYONE IN YOUR QUARTERS CHECKED INITIALLY WOULD BE REDUCE ONES CHANCES OF INFECTION CONSIDERABLY…
DENGUE
FEVER (H-FEVER):
IF
YOU KEEP UP WITH THE MAJOR NEWSPAPERS AND LOCAL NEWS, YOU HAVE PROBABLY
HEARD ENOUGH ABOUT DENGUE FEVER… IN EVENT YOU HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT THIS
“BUG”, THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN THE PHILIPPINES AND OTHER COUNTRIES
HERE IN ASIA… DENGUE FEVER IN THE INITIAL FORM IS USUALLY NO MORE SERIOUS
THAN THE FLU WITH BASICALLY THE SAME SYMPTOMS; HOWEVER, IF IT SHOULD DEVELOP
INTO THE HEMORRAHAGIC FORM, THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AND LIFE THREATENING…
THIS MOST SEVERE FORM IS ASSOCIATED WITH LOSS OF APPETITE, VOMITING, HIGH
FEVER, HEADACHE, ABDOMINAL PAIN AND BLEEDING… THE INITIAL STAGE OF
DENGUE IS CHARACTERIZED BY RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF FEVER THAT LAST FROM FIVE
TO SEVEN DAYS, WITH INTENSE HEADACHE, JOINT, MUSCLE PAIN AND RASH… THE
RASH MAY DEVELOPS ON THE FEET OR LEGS USUALLY THREE TO FOUR DAYS AFTER
THE FEVER STARTS… IF ONE HAS THESE SYMPTOMS, ITS TIME TO SEE YOUR
DOCTOR… CULPRIT: A DAY BITING MOSQUITO… (AEDES HEGYPTI)
HOW TO PREVENT: THIS
MOSQUITO THRIVES IN FRESH STANDING WATER AND THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF
FROM THIS TYPE OF MOSQUITO IS TO ELIMINATE THE BREADING GROUND… THIS MUST
BE A COMMUNITY PROJECT TO BE TRULY EFFECTIVE AS THIS TYPE MOSQUITO WILL
NORMALLY TRAVEL FROM 50 TO 200 METERS FROM THE BREADING GROUNDS… IF ANYONE
IS DIAGNOSED WITH DENGUE FEVER WITHIN 200 METERS FROM YOUR QUARTERS, IT
IS SAFE TO ASSUME YOU COULD ALSO BE THE NEXT VICTIM AND SHOULD TAKE NECESSARY
PRECAUTIONS… YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS SHOULD:
RABIES: LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH RABIES HERE IN THE PI DUE TO STRAY DOGS... ACCORDING TO THE NEWSPAPERS, WE HAVE OUR SHARE HERE IN PAMPANGA AND THE SURROUNDING PROVINCES.... DOGS ARE THE BIG PROBLEM IN MOST AREAS; HOWEVER, YOU SHOULD ALSO BEWARE OF CATS OR EVEN BATS... IF BITTEN BE SURE TO CLEAN THE WOUND THOROUGHLY WITH SOAP AND WATER AND CHECK IN AT THE BEST HOSPITAL AVAILABLE.... AUFMC HAS THE NEW TYPE VACCINE... IF YOU HAVE PETS, BE SURE TO KEEP THE RABIES SHOTS UP TO DATE... WE HAVE A GOOD VET LOCATED ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE RAO PLUS THERE ARE MANY MORE IN THE AREA...
PI DEPT OF HEALTH WARNING ON RABIES: “300 to 600 Filipinos die of rabies every year. Beware of dogs, especially this summer! Department of health (DOH) statistics show that there are twice many dog bites during summer than other periods of the year. And 300 to 600 Filipinos out of every one million die of rabies every year. Rabies is a deadly infection of the nervous system, transmitted to humans from saliva of warm-blooded animals thought bites or contact with broken skin like a cut, scratch, bruise or open wound. Parents should be warned that 90 percent of dog bite infections are caused by pets and that children have the highest risk of being bitten by rabid animals, according to DOH records. The figures also indicate that 75 percent of the 400,000 animal bite victims require post-exposure treatment. The incubation period for rabies can be as long as 10 years, although 95 percent of those infected developed the disease within one year. Experts say that once a patient starts to show symptoms of rabies, the victim usually dies within 10 days. The government has pledged to get rid of the dog rabies problem by 2010, but it remains a big headache. The country ranks third worldwide in rabies incidence. Worse, rabies makes a big bite on the pocket because of expensive treatment. The good news is that the private sector is helping out, following the trailblazing work of the Family Vaccine and Specially Clinics (FVSC). The FVSC treatment takes much of the pain, physically and financially, because the injection is just under the skin and the first two doses are for free while the follow-up doses are only half the price charged by others. FVSC operates in partnership with government and private institutions like RNMD Specially Clinics. It has the largest chain of privately run bite centers and vaccination clinics, numbering 40 as of February this year. These clinics are in Aklan, Batangas, Bulacan, Capiz, Cavite, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo. Laguna, Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Palawan, Pampanga, and Rizal. A clinic was opened in Manila last March 22 and a clinic will be inaugurated in Tagbilaran City on March 27 by Bohol Gov. Eric Aumentado. Centers in other strategic locations in Visayas and Mindanao will be opened soon. FVSC has highly specialized team of doctors and nurses trained by DOH’S Research Institute of Tropical Medicine. It has 50 fulltime employees and more than 15 other personnel through arrangement with other partners. (LR)” SOURCE: MB MAR 26, 2007
GENERIC DRUGS: ACROSS THE COUNTER DRUGS SUCH AS ASPIRIN AND VITAMINS CAN BE PURCHASED AT A FRACTION OF THE COST OF BRAND NAMES... EXAMPLE ASPIRINS (100 TABLET SIZE) IS AROUND P30.00 OR VITAMINS AT P40-70.00 PER 100 SIZE BOTTLE.... YOU CAN PURCHASE THESE AT JOHNNYS SUPERMARKET, MERCURY, MANSON DRUGS, ETC.. NEW PI LAW TO CONTROL MFR/SALES.. JUST READ THE LABELS...
GENERIC DRUGS AND ANIMAL BITE CLINIC: Lifeline Clinic located near Friendship Gate (Tricare Participating) has teamed up with the Zambales War Against Poverty (ZWAP) Foundation to provide pharmacy at about 80% less than name brand drugs and the IPV Foundation which will also provide low cost and affordable anti-rabies treatment… The rabies treatment clinic will be a one stop operarion where you will be able to receive all services under one roof within an hour in most cases… I have been advised that generic drugs will be available upon request and if so desired, they will establish an automatic supply to be issued every thirty (30) days… This program was established in Zambales through the efforts of Vice Governor Ramon Lacbain II and he extended the program to Pampanga in cooperation with the Lifeline Clinic… Understand Lifeline will be a central office for generic drugs and sub offices in Pampanga will be supplied from their stock… Appears to be an outstanding program to provide inexpensive drugs/anti rabies treatment to the surrounding communities…
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: Prescription drugs should only be purchased from an authorized pharmacy and never off the street... Some of our members have been duped into purchasing viagra/other as a good deal from unauthorized sources at a discount... Philippine medication is usually individual wraped or sold by bottle, sealed and the label will indicate date mfr, expiration date and contents unless you purchase a partial bottle of medication... These street drugs may not only be ineffective but can be very dangerous and should be avoided... If you should suspect that you have received fake/illegal drugs please contact Philippine Dept of Health (DOH) at e-mail address bfod@doh.gov.ph
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION: IN ADDITION TO HOSPITAL PHARMACIES, WE HAVE TWO WELL-RESPECTED DRUG STORES HERE; MERCURY & MANSION... LOT OF NEWS REPORTS CONCERNING FAKE DRUGS AND ONE CANNOT BE TOO CAREFUL..
FAKE MEDICINES (PHILIPPINES): As most are aware there is a lot of fake medicine floating around the Philippines and hard to avoid unless you use one of the better pharmacies... Should never purchase drugs off the street (even viagra) and if you suspect you have received fake drugs contact the “fake-med hotline” at 1-800-10fakemed toll free from anywhere in the Philippines...
VIAGRA: APPROVED IN THE PHILIPPINES... THIS IS ALSO TRICARE STANDARD AUTHORIZED FOR TREATMENT OF IMPOTENCE. ANY CERTIFIED PHYSICIAN CAN WRITE THE PRESCRIPTION FOR SIX TABLETS PER MONTH TO COVER THREE MONTHS WITH THREE REFILLS WHICH WOULD BE A ONE YEAR SUPPLY (ANY ADDITIONAL “TREATMENT” WOULD BE AT YOUR EXPENSE)… THIS WOULD BE AN OUTPATIENT PRESCRIPTION; THEREFORE, ONE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO ABSORB THE TRICARE STANDARD DEDUCTION BEFORE RECEIVING REIMBURSEMENT… SOURCE: TRICARE…
MAIL ORDER PHARMACY: Not normally available for the Philippines... Must have U.S. Certified Physicians with a DEA license which we do not have... Our FPO can receive Express Scrip if you have the Stateside Prescription...
PHARMACY CLAIMS (IF YOU ORDER VIA THE INTERNET): Claims for drugs obtained through internet services are not reimbursable. The reason for denial of these claims is internet pharmacies offer mail order services. Under title 32 of the code of federal regulations (cfr), part 199.21 (c), there are four tricare authorized categories of providers of pharmacy services: mtfs, network retail providers, non-network retail providers and the mail service pharmacy program. The mail service pharmacy program is currently the national mail order pharmacy. Other mail order pharmacy providers are not authorized under the cfr. (THEMS)
VITAMINS/MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS: PARKSON DUTY FREE CLARKFIELD AND SM MALL CLARK.
DRUG ENTRAPMENT: DON’T BE A SUCKER… AN AMERICAN CITIZEN BECAME A GUEST OF THE ANGELES CITY JAIL FOR VIOLATING THE DANGEROUS DRUG ACT WHILE PURCHASING A “JOINT” FROM A FRIENDLY STREET PUSHER ON FIELD AVENUE… THIS IS WHAT ONE COULD REFER TO AS A DOUBLE SUCKER; ONCE FOR PURCHASING DRUGS AND SECOND FOR TRUSTING A PUSHER… HOPE HE DIDN’T SELL HIM ANY “GOLD” RINGS AS WELL… THERE IS A LOT MORE WAYS OF HAVING FUN IN ANGELES CITY THAN BEING INVOLVED IN DRUGS…
DENTAL INSURANCE: NOT RECOMMEND FOR THE PHILIPPINES... IF YOU GOING STATESIDE, SEE ME FOR A BRIEFING... DENTAL SERVICES HERE ARE INEXPENSIVE COMPARED TO THE STATESIDE COST...
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS: AVAILABLE AT SEVERAL OF OUR TRICARE PARTICIPATING CLINICS...
HAVE YOU GOTTEN A PNEUMONIA SHOT?: The Army Medical Department is working to reduce the suffering and death caused by the wide-spread failure of older beneficiaries to get pneumonia vaccinations. Also known as the PNEUMOCOCCAL shot, the pneumonia vaccine is safe, highly effective and has no side effects. For maximum safety, medical officials also suggest getting a flu vaccine annually. To encourage older patients to get the shot, military medical leaders are stressing these facts: PNEUMOCOCCAL disease can kill you. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S.. (40,000 deaths annually). It Man make you miserably ill (100,000-130,000 Hospitalizations annually in the U.S.). It usually causes fever, cough and shortness of breath. PNEUMOCOCCAL disease can affect people of all ages, but those age 65 and older are at higher risk for complications. The shot can help protect you from getting a serious infection in your lungs, blood and brain. Getting the shot when you’re age 65 or older should protect you for the rest of your life. You can get it any time of the year, and Medicare Part B will pay for it. For more information, contact your local military treatment facility or your health care provider.... SOURCE: ARMY ECHOES - IN THE PHILIPPINES, ASK YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER...
RH NEG-BLOOD: SEEMS LIKE MOST OF OUR REQUIREMENT FOR WHOLE BLOOD LATELY HAS BEEN FOR RH NEG… ABOUT 99.9 PERCENT OF THE FILIPINOS HAVE POSITIVE BLOOD AND MANY OF OUR RETIREES ARE UNABLE TO GIVE BLOOD FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER… WOULD LIKE ALL OUR MEMBERS OR OTHER FOREIGNERS WHO HAVE RH NEG BLOOD TO REGISTER AT OUR MAIL ROOM… ALL BLOOD SHIPPED INTO THIS COUNTRY MUST COME IN THROUGH THE PHILIPPINE RED CROSS AND BE TESTED BEFORE BEING SHIPPED TO THE HOSPITAL CONCERNED… THIS TAKES A WHILE (TOO LONG) AND WE NEED TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT… THE ONLY OTHER SOURCE IS THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES WHICH ARE LOCATED IN MANILA AND THEY ARE VERY LIMITED… EVERYONE WHO HAS RH NEG BLOOD SHOULD GET TO KNOW AT LEAST TWO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME BLOOD TYPE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY… YOUR LIFE COULD WELL DEPEND ON THIS DECISION…
BLOOD DONORS: WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF RETIREES JUST IN ANGELES CITY ALONE PLUS DEPENDENTS; HOWEVER, WHEN SOMEONE IS IN NEED OF BLOOD, WE HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT TIME FINDING A SUITABLE DONOR... AS WE HAVE FOUND OUT IN THE PAST, WE CANNOT RELY ON THE BLOOD BANKS HERE IN THE PI; THEREFORE, WE MUST COME UP WITH OUR OWN SOLUTION(S)... RECOMMENDED THAT WE USE A BUDDY SYSTEM. EACH RETIREE SHOULD KNOW AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME BLOOD TYPE THAT HE/SHE CAN DEPEND UPON TO HELP IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY... SHOULD YOU HAVE TIME TO PLAN AN OPERATION, YOU CAN GIVE YOUR OWN BLOOD PLUS YOUR BUDDY GROUP CAN HELP BUILD UP A SUPPLY PRIOR TO THE OPERATION..... THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT IF YOU HAVE RH NEG BLOOD... AS A RULE, FILIPINOS DO NOT HAVE RH NEG BLOOD AND ONE MUST RELY ON THE BUDDY SYSTEM........ NEED FOR ALL MILITARY RETIREES/DEPENDENTS /WIDOW(ER) TO WHO CAN GIVE BLOOD TO SIGN UP AT THE FPO ASAP... VERY IMPORTANT... OUR CHAMPUS PARTICIPATING HOSPITAL (AUFMC) ALSO HAS A BLOOD DONOR PROGRAMS ESTABLISHED (GIVE NOW - RECEIVE LATER)... SEE BULLETIN IN BOARD FOR DETAILS.....
AMERICAN RED CROSS (ARC): PLEASE USE PHILIPPINE RED CROSS TEL. NO. (63)(2) 527-8384/97 (MAIN LINE)
FLU SHOTS AND SHINGLES VACCINE:Tricare will now share the cost of Flu Shots and Shingles Vaccine on the same cost basis as other Outpatient Tricare Benefits… Eligibility: (Flu Shots) children between the age of six months and five years old, adults over 50 years of age, pregnant women and individuals who are at high risk for severe complications… Shingles vaccine: Authorized for individuals over age 60… SOURCE: Tricare
EXPANDED BENEFITS FOR MEDICAL RETIREES WITH LESS THAN 20 YEARS SERVICE:CHAPTER 61 MILITARY RETIREES SHOULD CONTACT OUR LOCAL VFW/AMERICAN LEGION SERVICE OFFICER OR VA, U.S. EMBASSY MANILA TO HELP DETERMINE IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE… BASIC RULES ARE: YOU MUST BE IN RECEIPT OF DFAS RETIREMENT PAY AND HAVE THAT RETIREMENT PAY REDUCED BY A VA WAIVER TO BE ELIGIBLE… FOR FURTHER DATA ON THIS SUBJ, COME BY OUR OFFICE OR REVIEW WEB http://www.donhq.navy.mil/corb/crscb/crscmainpage.htm.
U.S.
MILITARY RETIREES AND TRICARE RESPONSIBILITY:
THE
U.S. GOV’T HAS PROVIDED YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WITH TRICARE BENEFITS FOR LIFE
AND HAS ENTRUSTED YOU WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MAKING SURE THE BILLING
IS CORRECT... DO NOT SIGN BLANK TRICARE CLAIM FORMS AND OBTAIN A COPY OF
YOUR BILL BEFORE SIGNING ANY CLAIM... ONCE YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THE STATEMENT
FROM TRICARE, CHECK THE BILLING AGAINST YOUR RECEIPT AND IF ALL DOES NOT
MATCH, SEE ME OR CONTACT TRICARE DIRECTLY... IF YOU HAVE GIVEN PREAUTHORIZATION
TO A PROVIDER TO SUBMIT CLAIMS IN YOUR BEHALF, YOU SHOULD INSIST ON A COPY
OF ALL BILLS AND COMPARE TO THE BILLING RECEIVED FROM TRICARE... AGAIN
IF THE BILLING DOES NOT CORRESPOND, SEE ME OR CONTACT TRICARE DIRECTLY...
DO NOT ALLOW ANY PROVIDER TO OVERBILL TRICARE OR BILL FOR SERVICES NOT
RENDERED... TRICARE HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO YOU/YOUR FAMILY BY A GREATFUL
NATION AND YOU SHOULD DO YOUR BEST TO PROTECT THESE BENEFITS... IF WE LET
OUR GUARD DOWN, I GUESS ALL ARE AWARE THAT WE COULD LOOSE THIS VERY IMPORTANT
BENEFIT...
*
TRICARE BENEFIT NEWS:
MAJ GEN GRANGER, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRICARE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY (TMA) HAS
AN INFORMATION WEB WHERE YOU CAN RECEIVE ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTERS AND KEEP
UP WITH TRICARE CHANGES… ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS KEY IN WEB http://www.tricare.mil/pressroom
… AND LOOK FOR THE “LITTLE RED ENVELOPE”, SIGN UP AND START RECEIVING
YOUR TRICARE UPDATES… SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS ARE: CLICK TRICARE
E-MAIL UPDATES, CLICK PROCEED, ENTER E-MAIL ADDRESS AND CLICK GO…
*
TRICARE CHANGES: RECEIVED
THE FOLLOWING CHANGES FROM TRICARE PACIFIC… IF YOU SHOULD ENCOUNTER ONE
OF THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITH YOUR PROVIDER/OTHER HEALTH INSURANCE, THERE
IS A FORM TO THE RESCUE… 1. IF YOUR TRICARE PROVIDER CANNOT PROVIDE
YOU AN ITEMIZED BILL/STATEMENT TO BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR CLAIM, WE NOW
HAVE A FORM TO SUBSTITUTE (SEE ATCH)… 2. IF YOU HAVE OTHER HEALTH
INSURANCE (OHI) OTHER THAN TRICARE AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY CANNOT PROVIDE
A STATEMENT OF COVERAGE, THERE IS A FORM TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM (SEE ATCH)…
JUST LIKE WHEN WE WERE IN THE MILITARY, IF YOU CANNOT RESOLVE A PROBLEM
THERE MUST BE A FORM THAT WILL (SAME APPLIES TO TRICARE)…
*
TRICARE PAYMENT PROBLEMS (PI):
IF YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BEING REIMBURSED FOR TRICARE
PAYMENTS (DD FORM 2642 CLAIMS), PLEASE SEE ME… WILL NEED TO BRING
YOUR HOSPITAL/CLINIC BILL, COPY OF DD FORM 2642 AND THE TRICARE EXPLANATION
OF BENEFITS (EOB)… WE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP… SHOULD ALSO SIGN UP FOR
www.tricare4u.com AND REVIEW YOUR CLAIMS ON LINE… WE WILL ALSO HAVE A TRICARE
SATELLITE OFFICE ESTABLISHED HERE (CLARK/MANILA) BEFORE THE END OF THIS
YEAR… THE SATELLITE OFFICE WILL HAVE MEANS OF RESOLVING TRICARE PROBLEM
MUCH FASTER THAN THE PRESENT SYSTEM… TRICARE IN THE PI IS HERE TO STAY
AND HOPE OUR MEMBERS WILL NOT FALL FOR ALL THE DOOMS’ DAY RUMORS…
TRICARE EXPLANATION OF BENEFITS (TEOB): Everytime a claim is filed to tricare against your account (SSN), you/your family are supposed to receive a TEOB explaining the charges... This is an excellent management tool to ensure unauthorized claims/charges are not filed against your account... All you need to do is check each entry on the teob and if the cost is excessive or if you did not receive the service contact the dod ig via e-mail address hotline@dodig.osd.mil or call 1-800-424-9098... If you do not have e-mail capability, see us and we will submit your report... Information concerning the dod hotline can be found on web site [ www.dodig.osd.mil/hotline ]... These are our U.S. Tax dollars and we should not allow providers/ billing agents to get away with overcharging for services or submitting claims for service not received...
UNDERSTANDING TRICARE FOR LIFE (TFL): Helping solve the TFL ID-card puzzle; Confused about TRICARE For Life (TFL) and whether you need to update your Uniformed Services Identification Card to use the program? Want to know the difference between updating your Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) record and obtaining a new ID card? Want to know why the back of your ID card reads "Civilian No" and your friend or family member's reads "Civilian Yes?" If your answer to any of these questions is yes, the following information is for you. If you are a sponsor, age 65 or over, eligible for Medicare Parts A and B, and have purchased Part B, you do not need to update your current ID card to receive health care under TFL -- even if the medical eligibility status printed on the back of your ID card indicates "Civilian No." Medicare Part B is required for TFL eligibility. If you have used TFL and have received a TRICARE explanation of benefits statement that TFL has paid your claims, you do not need to notify DEERS that you have Medicare Part B. Your Medicare Part B information has been picked up in a data match with Medicare. You do not need to update anything in DEERS other than changes in your residence, mailing address or family member status. If you haven't used TFL yet or don't think that your Medicare Part B information is being picked up during TFL claims processing, you may call your regional managed care support contractor or visit your nearest military personnel office that has an ID-card facility and have them register your Medicare Part B enrollment status in DEERS. If you visit an ID-card facility, you should take your Medicare card with you. You may go online to locate the nearest personnel office or ID-card facility at http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl or call 1-888-DOD-LIFE (1-888-363-5433) for these locations and other information about TFL. You do not need to obtain a new ID card when you add your enrollment in Medicare Part B because you are only updating your record. If you are a family member, survivor, or TRICARE-eligible former spouse age 65 or over, eligible for Medicare Parts A and B, and have purchased Part B, you need to look at your ID card and see if it has expired. If you have an expired ID card, you should visit or contact the nearest military personnel office that has an ID-card facility to have a new ID card issued. You may go online to locate the nearest personnel office or ID-card facility at http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl or call 1-888-DOD-LIFE (1-888-363-5433) for these locations and other information about TFL. Individuals not able to travel should contact the nearest ID-card facility for instructions on renewing ID cards by mail. To renew your ID card, you must have a pre-verified application form titled "Application for Uniformed Services Identification Card -- DEERS Enrollment, DD Form 1172." If your sponsor is alive, your sponsor must sign the form in front of a notary public or other authorized verifying officer. If you are a survivor, you should contact your local ID-card office to inquire about the required documents to obtain an ID card. ID cards are current for four years, unless you turn 65 during the four-year period. Turning 65 is another reason your ID card's medical eligibility status will expire. If you are age 65 or over and have recently updated your ID card, your medical eligibility status printed on the back of your ID card might show as "Civilian Yes." This means you are eligible for TFL. If you have had no reason to update your ID card (it hasn't expired and you haven't recently turned 65, that is, you turned 65 a couple of years ago), your medical eligibility status printed on the back of your ID card might show as "Civilian No." You are not required to update your current ID card to receive health care under TFL. The next time you update your ID card, the medical eligibility status will be changed. To update Medicare Parts A and B eligibility and purchase of Part B in your DEERS record, the process is the same for sponsors, family members, and survivors of eligible former sponsors, as long as their Social Security number (in addition to the sponsor's) is recorded in DEERS. If you have used TFL and have received a TRICARE explanation of benefits, it is not necessary for you to update DEERS. Your Medicare Part B information has been picked up in a data match with Medicare. You do not need to update anything in DEERS other than changes in your residence or mailing address. To verify your eligibility in DEERS, you may call the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office toll free at 1-800-538-9552 or TTY/TDD: 1-800-363-2883 for speech or hearing impaired. If you require additional information on enrolling in Medicare Part B, contact the Social Security administration toll free at 1-800-772-1213 or TTY/TDD: 1-800-325-0778 for speech or hearing impaired. Additional information on Medicare is available at http://www.medicare.gov and up-to-date information on TFL is available on the TRICARE Web site at http://www.tricare.osd.mil/tfl SOURCE: AIR FORCE NEWS
TRICARE
STANDARD (CHAMPUS):
LOT
OF PEOPLE ARE STILL CONFUSED ABOUT THE TERM TRICARE AND CHAMPUS.
FOR PHILIPPINES PURPOSES WE ARE ONLY AUTHORIZED TRICARE STANDARD WHICH
IS THE OLD CHAMPUS PROGRAM... IN THE STATES WE HAVE TRICARE PRIME, TRICARE
EXTRA, TRICARE STANDARD AND EVEN TRICARE SENIOR PLUS OTHER TEST PROGRAMS...
WE ARE ONLY CONCERNED WITH TRICARE STANDARD HERE... UNDER THE TRICARE STANDARD
RULES ANY CLINIC/HOSPITAL OR INDIVIDUAL DEERS MEMBERS (ADULTS) CAN SUBMIT
CLAIMS... IF THE CLINIC OR HOSPITAL IS TRICARE PARTICIPATING, THEY WILL
COLLECT 25% OF THE BILL FROM YOU AND SUBMIT THE CLAIM TO TRICARE OVERSEAS
FOR PAYMENT OF INPATIENT CARE... FOR OUTPATIENT CARE, YOU CAN PAY THE ENTIRE
BILL AND SUBMIT YOUR CLAIM TO TRICARE OVERSEAS ( WE HAVE THE FORMS AND
ADDRESS)... TRICARE WILL REFUND YOU 75% OF ALL AUTHORIZED BILLING LESS
THE ANNUAL $150.00 DEDUCTABLE PER PERSON OR $300.00 PER FAMILY... THESE
PAYMENTS ARE MANDATED BY LAW AND ARE REQUIRED TO BE PAID BY YOU OR ABSORBED
BY YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY... IF YOU HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE OTHER THAN SUPPLEMENTAL,
THE INSURANCE COMPANY MUST BE THE 1ST PAYER AND TRICARE STANDARD WILL USUALLY
PAY THE REMAINDER... THE ABOVE APPLIES TO RETIREES/ DEPENDENTS/WIDOWS...
ACTIVE DUTY DEPENDENTS HAVE A DIFFERENT COST SHARING POLICY... THINGS
TO REMEMBER: THE $150.00/$300.00 ANNUAL DEDUCTABLE IS BASE ON
THE U.S. GOV’T FISCAL YEAR, 01 OCT – 30 SEP.
NOTE: THIS IS TRICARE POLICY: HOWEVER, CLINICS
HERE DO NOT NORMALLY CALLED COPAYMENTS...
TRICARE STANDARD/CHAMPUS INPATIENT-OUT-PATIENT GUIDELINES: AS A RULE, TO BE CONSIDERED AN INPATIENT, YOU MUST STAY IN THE HOSPITAL OVERNIGHT (24HRS)... SOME EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULES ARE MBULATORY SURGERY WHICH CAN BE LESS THAN 24 HRS AND CONSIDERED INPATIENT.. IF IN DOUBT, DROP BY THE RAO AND SEE ME/PICK UP A COPY OF THE CHAMPUS HANDBOOK...
TRICARE PRIME MEMBERS: Providers will not normally accept Tricare Prime; If you are enrolled in tricare prime and visiting the Philippines, you should have sufficient funds to defray the cost of medical care and be prepared to submit your own claim... Problem: Delayed/nonpayment to providers... If you are not enrolled in tricare prime, no problem in receiving full tricare standard benefits... Note: If you are moving to the Philippines, please disenroll in tricare prime before your departure and see me upon arrival...
TRICARE
OVERSEAS CHANGE: Before receiving routine medical
services that you must “pay out of your pocket” be sure to check and see
if the provider has a tricare overseas account number... If affirmative
no problem, if not you may have a problem being reimbursed by tricare overseas...
The list of authorized providers are posted on our bulletin board or you
can pull up web site
http://www.oki.navy.mil/tricare
and click on the philippine circle (must use internet explorer)... Realize
that most of our members have authorized tricare provideres who takes care
of the billing and this new change will not affect you; however, if you
have any doubt, see me... If you are using a helath provider that does
not have a tricare provider number, please see me and we can advise them
on how to obtain one (normally the same day) except week-ends and american
holidays....
As you can note from the providers listed on the above web site, we
do not have any exclusive tricare providers in the philippines and you
are free to use any tricare provider/supplemental insurance company you
desire... Just be sure the provider is listed on subject web site or if
not, have your provider to see us for help and they too can normally be
included... Just remember that we have many health care providers/supplemental
insurance companies in the philippines and they all want your business...
Sometimes they provide misinformation like “we are the only authorized
tricare provider in the philippines or you “cannot use any other provider
without loosing your benefits”... Do not believe these type sales pitches
and feel free to use any provider you desire or not use any and submit
your own claims (your benefits and your choice)...
TRICARE CMAC POLICY: EFFECTIVE 01 FEB 2004, TRICARE HAS ESTABLISHED A SPECIAL CHAMPUS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE CHARGE (CMAC) THAT TRICARE WILL PAY FOR MEDICAL SERVICES RENDERED IN THE PHILIPPINES... BACKGROUND: FOR ABOUT EIGHT YEARS THAT I AM AWARE OF TRICARE HAS BEEN OVERBILLED BY MANY OF THE PHILIPPINE PROVIDERS AND IT APPEARS TRICARE HAS FINALLY WOKE UP AND ESTABLISHED A BILLING STANDARD FOR THE PHILIPPINES... IN A NUT SHELL, THIS MEANS THAT TRICARE WILL NO LONGER PAY ANY AMOUNT BILLED BY TRICARE PROVIDERS... THIS WILL REDUCE (NOT ELIMINATE) OVERBILLING AND GET OUR MEDICAL CARE COST MORE IN LINE WITH LOCAL COST... THE OVERBILLING ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN TOTALLY RESOLVED WITH THIS ONE ACTION AND I WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED ON OTHER ACTIONS AS THEY OCCUR... GOOD NEWS FOR U.S. TAXPAYERS...
TRICARE COST SHARE WAIVER DECLARED ILLEGAL: “Tricare officials have reminded service beneficiaries who use Tricare Standard and Extra that they are responsible under law to pay annual deductibles and cost-shares associated with their care. The law prohibits health care providers from waiving Tricare beneficiary deductibles or cost-shares and requires providers to make reasonable efforts to collect these amounts. Health care providers who offer to waive deductibles and cost-shares or who advertise they will do so may be investigated for program abuse and suspended or excluded as authorized providers. According to Rose M. Sabo, Director, Tricare Program Integrity, Tricare Management Activity, "Tricare prohibits any scheme designed to waive a patient's deductible or cost-share." Beneficiaries should contact their local Tricare Service Center for more information on deductibles and cost-shares. A list of Tricare Service Centers and telephone numbers is located at http://www.tricare.osd.mil/tricareservicecenters/default.cfm.”
TRICARE COST SHARE FOR MIL RETIREES: Been a lot of questions concerning health care providers collecting the $150/300. Tricare deductible upfront... Some providers are trying to collect the total deductible as a precondition to provide medical services... This is not correct, you should only pay for the actual medical services received until the $150/300 per family requirement is met (not upfront)... Example; if your medical bills is $30.00, you should only pay that amount and not the full deductible... Please note the 25% cost share is not applicable until after the deductible has been met... The $150/300 deductible only applies to outpatient care and not inpatient (hospital care over 24 hours)... The 25% cost share must be paid for in/outpatient services until the out of pocket expenses exceeds 3000. per family per fiscal year (Catastrophic cap) and then tricare will pay 100% of your authorized medical bills... If you desire to submit your own tricare claims, see me and we will help you complete your claim form... Payments are normally processed by tricare with in ten working days from date of receipt... Suggest you use the fpo as a return address... Please let me know if your tricare provider needs any assistance with the deductible cost share and other tricare questions...
TRICARE AND YOUR
FAIR SHARE (25%): As
we all should know, Tricare expect each member to
pay the $150.00/$300.00 Deductible each fiscal year for OutPatient
Care and 25% thereafter until the Catastrophic Cap is met... Being
that you should personnaly pay the 25% Cost Share, you should receive
your Medical Care based on "LOCAL COST"... Example if your medicines
for one month cost $25.00 and your Tricare Provider is charging
you $100.00 for the same supply, you are loosing money if you pay
the 25%... Best to advise Providers in advance that you are only
willing to pay local rates and if you suspect fraud, please report to:
WISCONSIN PHYSICIANS SERVICE
TRICARE FOREIGN DIVISION
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