http://www2.mozcom.com/~rao_cabr
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...
RAO SATELLITES: WE HAVE ESTABLISHED RAO SATELLITES AT BACOLOD, CAGAYAN DE ORO, CEBU, DAGUPAN, DAVAO, LAOAG, LA UNION & LEYTE...... 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…
ANNUAL ALLIEN REGISTRATION: IPHILIPPINE
DRIVERS LICENSE RENEWAL: THERE
HAS BEEN SEVERAL CHANGES IN THE DRIVER LICENSE RENEWAL PROCESS
OVER THE PAST COUPLE O
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…
FEDERAL JOB
INFORMATION: THE ARMED FORCES NEWS HAS
ADVISED THAT FEDWEEK ESTABLISHED A FEDERAL JOB SEARCH CHANGE
ENGINE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE VERY INFORMATIVE.... THE WEB
SITED IS http://www.fedweek.com
AND CLICK ON FEDERAL JOB SEARCH SECTION... WE DID AND THE COST
IS $24.00 PER
YEAR OR $12.00 FOR
A ONE MONTH ISSUE...
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: WE HAVE A RAO
VOLUNTEER (CHIEF
WILLIAMS) THAT SPENDS A LOT OF TIME KEEPING OUR BULLETIN
BOARD CURRENT AND I HOPE MORE RETIREES/WIDOWS/AMERICAN
CITIZENS WILL TAKE TIME TO READ… 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…
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;
1.
Be wary of
unexpected telephone calls, letters, or even personal visits
from people who offer quick- profit schemes that require your
immediate investment.
2.
Be suspicious of
“inside information,” hot tips, and rumors that supposedly
will give you a big advantage over other, less knowledgeable
investors.
3.
Turn down money
request accompanied by high-pressure warning like “Tomorrow
will be too late”, “Positioning is important” or “act now
before there will soon be long waiting lists of others who
want to take advantage of this golden opportunity.”
4.
Be wary of schemes
that give emphasis on recruitment of members or “downlines”,
particularly if the product being offered is overpriced, as
the same may be a disguised pyramid scheme...
5.
Do not engaged in
foreign currency trading unless you fully understand the
mechanics or dangers of currency trading and can afford to
lose your money (margin or security deposit). There is no such
thing as guaranteed return in currency trading.
6.
Ask for a
prospectus, offering circular, financial statement, or other
similar document before you even consider investing. Then read the small
print carefully, particularly on refund, and make sure you
understand the terms thoroughly before signing any kind of
commitment.
7.
When in doubt, make
no promises or commitment, no matter how tentative. Remember, “if it
sounds too good to be true, it usually is.” It is far better
to wait and lose an opportunity than to take the plunge and
lose everything.
8.
Before making a
commitment, get an opinion from lawyer, stockbroker,
accountant, or the appropriate government office.
9.
Always demand
official receipts in the name of the corporations or entities
you are dealing with.
10. Note that a Primary
SEC Registration only grants juridical personality. It does not
automatically give a company the authority to engage in all
types of business activities such as lending, selling of
securities and investment contracts, investment taking, etc. To confirm that the
company or individual is properly licensed to conduct the
business in question and has no history of violating the law,
get in touch with the SEC...
AIR TRAVEL: IN
ADDITION TO THE INTERNET, SHOULD CHECK OUR NATI0NAL NEWSPAPERS
FOR SPECIALS... THE MANILA BULLETIN HAS A LISTING ON SUNDAY
AND THE INQUIRER ON MONDAYS... HAVE NOTICED PRICES AT AROUND $100.00 (ROUND TRIP)
TO HONGKONG TO INCLUDE HOTEL AND LESS THAN $200.00 TO BANGKOK
TO INCLUDE HOTELS... OTHER PACIFIC RIM SPECIALS ARE ALSO VERY
ATTRACTIVE... COST TO THE STATES AND AUSTRALIA IS ALSO VERY
REASONABLE... ALWAYS GOOD TO SHOP AROUND BEFORE MAKING A
DECISION... WE KEEP THE SPECIALS POSTED ON OUR BULLETIN
BOARD...
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 kidnapping 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 natural 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.
CLARK
TRAVELING ON A
BUDGET: FOR TRAVEL ENTHUSIASTS ON A
TIGHT BUDGET, HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON HOW TO CUT COSTS ON A
TRIP:
AIR TAXI
SERVICES:
THE OLD AERO CLUB AT CLARK NOW HAS AIR TAXI
SERVICE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST TO MOST LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT
THE PHILIPPINES... REF WEB SITE www.dreamtrekspampanga.com
FOR DETAILS... ALSO THERE IS ANOTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR
LOCAL TOURS BY CALLING 0915 704 4057/(045) 331 7181 AND ASK
FOR JIMMY...
THE FEDERAL
LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM IS SPONSORED
BY THE U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, INSURED BY JOHN HANCOCK AND METLIFE...
PROGRAM IS NOT SUBSIDISED BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT BUT
OFFERED TO ELIGIBLE
MEMBERS AT A VOLUME RATE SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN THE GOING
PRICE... THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES COVERAGE THAT IS NOT NORMALLY
COVERED BY TRICARE/MEDICARE/FEHB... TYPICALLY IT IS PROVIDED
BY HOME HEALTH AIDS/OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO MEMBERS WHO
NEED ONGOING OR EVEN LIFELONG CARE... THE TYPE AND AMOUNT OF
CARE TO BE PROVIDED IS BASED ON HOW MUCH COVERAGE YOU DESIRE
(WOULD LIKE TO PAY)... EXAMPLE; A 60 YEAR OLD MEMBER WOULD BE
REQUIRE TO PAY $93.20 PER MONTH FOR PLAN “A” OR PLAN “C” WOULD
BE $170.40 PER MONTH... WEB SITE www.LTCFEDS.com PROVIDES
AN INTERACTIVE WEB TO GIVE YOU EXACT COST... FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
WOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENROLL THEMSELVES, SPOUSE, CHILDREN AND
PARENTS WHERE RETIREES WOULD ONLY BE ALLOWED TO PURCHASE FOR
THEMSELF AND SPOUSE ACCORDING TO THE DATA THAT WE HAVE
RECEIVED...
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...
ALSO CYBERCARE LOCATED NEAR THE CLARK FRIENDSHIP GATE HAS OVER
50 PHYSICIANS/SPECIALIST WHO WILL PROVIDE OUTPATIENT MEDICAL
CARE TO EXPATS/THEIR DEPENDENTS FOR ONLY P250 PER VISIT (NO
AGE LIMIT)... THE P250
TOKEN SERVICE FEE WILL ALSO INCLUDE A FREE SNACK BAR... HARD
TO BEAT... IF LOW ON CASH YOU ARE ALSO AUTHORIZED TO USE THE
ANGELES CITY OR SAN FERNANDO GENERAL HOSPITAL (GOV’T HOSP-NO
FRILLS) AND MOST IS FREE EXCEPT MEDICINE...
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
BRIDGES 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 TWO NEW HOSPITALS IN OUR AREA
AND TRICARE CLINICS AND HAVE SOME OF THE BEST MEDICAL CARE IN
THE PACIFIC RIM... AUFMC
TOOK CARE ABOUT 90% OF OUR MEDICAL NEEDS, THE REST WAS BEEN
TAKEN CARE OF BY MAJOR HOSPITALS IN MANILA AND U.S. HOSPITALS
IN THE PACIFIC AREA… THE VA HAS PROVIDED CARE TO OUR MEMBERS
WITH SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY WHICH I WOULD ESTIMATE THAT COVERS ABOUT
30% OF OUR MEDICAL NEEDS… AUFMC & MT. CARMEL PROVIDES VA
CARE AS WELL AS TRICARE STANDARD (CHAMPUS)… 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 AND MEDICARE IS NOT AUTHORIZED OUTSIDE OF
U.S. TERRITORY… IN A NUTSHELL, IF YOU HAVE SEVERE MEDICAL
PROBLEMS, YOU SHOULD LOOKS AN OPTIONS BEFORE MOVING HERE… IF
YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TRICARE AND HAVE 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, FAX, AND LTR FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION… WELCOME TO OUR PARADISE...
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....
HEALTH CARE
INSURANCE FOR AMERICANS WHO DO NOT HAVE U.S. GOV’T OR
PRIVATE INSURANCE: MOST HEALTH CARE INSURANCE
PROGRAMS IN THE PHILIPPINES DO NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE AFTER AGE
65 OR THE COST IS PROHIBITIVE... SUGGEST YOU CHECK WEB SITE www.bluecross.com.ph (BLUE
CROSS)... WEB SITE IS INTERACTIVE AND YOU MAY FIND THE SERVICE
AFFORDABLE... ALSO NOTICED THE COVERAGE APPEARS TO BE
ADEQUATE... THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR BLUE CROSS BUT
PUBLISHED AS A SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY...
ALL YOU NEED TO
KNOW ABOUT MEDICARE (BY KEVIN G. SIMPSON): “MEDICARE IS A GOVERNMENT
HEALTH INSURANCE
PROGRAM
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? MEDICARE
IS AUTOMATICALLY AVAILABLE TO ALL PERSONS-REGARDLESS OF INCOME
WHO MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
·
THEY ARE 65 OR
OLDER AND ELIGIBLE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY, WIDOWS, OR RAILROAD
RETIREMENT (RR)
BENEFITS.
·
THEY ARE DISABLED
AND HAVE BEEN RECEIVING SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INCOME,
WIDOW’S, RR DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR AT LEAST 24 MONTHS OR;
·
THEY HAVE END STAGE
RENAL DISEASE. INDIVIDUALS 65 OR OLDER WHO ARE U.S.
CITIZENS (AND NOT
AUTOMATICALLY ELIGIBLE) OR PERMANENT LEGAL ALIENS WHO HAVE
RESIDED IN THE UNITED STATES CONTINUOUSLY FOR FIVE OR MORE
YEARS ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE.
HOW AND WHEN TO ENROLL?
TO ENROLL IN MEDICARE, YOU
NEED TO FILE AN APPLICATION WITH THE LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY
OFFICE... ALTHOUGH ENROLLMENT IS AUTOMATIC FOR PERSONS
ELIGIBLE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INCOME, IT IS STILL
ADVISABLE TO CONTACT THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE TO BE SURE.
SENIORS MAY ENROLL IN MEDICARE AS EARLY AS THREE MONTHS BEFORE 65TH BIRTHDAY... WORKING SENIORS AND THEIR SPOUSES,
WHO ARE COVERED UNDER
THEIR EMPLOYER’S GROUP HEALTH PLAN IF THE COMPANY HAS 20 OR
MORE EMPLOYEES MAY ENROLL IN MEDICARE WITHIN SEVEN MONTHS
FOLLOWING DISENROLLMENT FROM THE EMPLOYER’S GROUP HEALTH PLAN... INDIVIDUALS WHO
DON’T ENROLL WHEN INITIALLY ELIGIBLE MAY ALSO ENROLL BETWEEN
JANUARY AND MARCH 31 OF EACH YEAR....
WHAT DOES MEDICARE COST? MEDICARE
PART A IS FREE FOR ALL ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.... THERE IS A
MONTHLY MEDICARE
PART A PREMIUM OF PERMANENT
LEGAL RESIDENTS AND CITIZENS WHO ARE NOT AUTOMATICALLY
ELIGIBLE FOR THE BENEFIT. EVERYONE MUST PAY A MONTHLY MEDICARE
PART B PREMIUM.... INDIVIDUALS
WHO DO NOT ENROLL WHEN INITIALLY ELIGIBLE MUST PAY A PENALTY
OF 10 PERCENT FOR EACH YEAR THEY DELAY THEIR ENROLLMENT, IF
THEY ARE NOT COVERED UNDER AN EMPLOYER’S PLAN...
WHAT DOES MEDICARE COVERS? MEDICARE COVERS REASONABLE
AND NECESSARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES BUT DOES NOT COVER
CUSTODIAL OR LONG TERM CARE, EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES, AND MOST
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS...
MEDICARE PART A:
· IMPATIENT HOSPITAL CARE: MEDICARE COVERS PART
OF THE COST OF UP TO 90 DAYS OF HOSPITAL CARE PER BENEFIT PERIOD. THE
CARE RECIPIENT PAYS
A DEDUCTIBLE FOR
EACH BENEFITS PERIOD...
MEDICARE PAYS THE FULL COST FOR DAYS 2 THROUGH 60 AND PART OF
THE COST FOR DAYS 61 THROUGH
90 IS PAID BY THE PATIENT IN THE FORM OF CO- PAYMENT... MEDICARE ALSO PAYS
PART OF THE COST FOR 60 ADDITIONAL HOSPITAL DAYS IN AN INDIVIDUAL’S
LIFETIME, “LIFETIME RESERVE” DAYS... MEDICARE PAYS FOR
THESE DAYS AFTER THE INDIVIDUAL HAS EXHAUSTED HIS OR HER MEDICARE COVERAGE
THROUGH DAY 90... THE
PATIENT PAYS A DAILY CO-PAYMENT FOR THESE DAYS...
·
NOTE: A
BENEFIT PERIOD BEGINS WHEN A MEDICARE PATIENT IS ADMITTED TO
THE HOSPITAL AND ENDS WHEN THE PATIENT HAS BEEN OUT OF THE
HOSPITAL OR SKILLED NURSING FACILITY FOR 60 CONSECUTIVE
DAYS...
·
SKILLED NURSING
FACILITY CARE:
MEDICARE COVERS UP TO 100 DAYS OF CARE IN A
MEDICARE-CERTIFIED SKILLED NURSING FACILITY PER
BENEFIT PERIOD.... IN
ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS COVERAGE, INDIVIDUALS MUST
REQUIRE DAILY SKILLED SERVICES AND BE HOSPITALIZED FOR AT
LEAST THREE DAYS
IN THE 30 DAYS PRIOR TO ADMISSION TO AN SNF.... MEDICARE
COVERS DAYS 1 THROUGH 20 IN FULL, BUT THERE IS A DAILY
CO-PAYMENT FOR DAYS 21 THROUGH 100
·
HOME HEALTH CARE: MEDICARE GENERALLY
COVERS UP TO 35 HOURS PER WEEK OF SKILLED NURSING AND HOME
HEALTH AIDE SERVICE, AS WELL AS KILLED THERAPY SERVICES FOR
INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE HOMEBOUND AND REQUIRE INTERMITTENT SKILLED
SERVICES. TO BE
ELIGIBLE FOR COVERAGE, YOU MUST RECEIVE CARE FROM A
MEDICARE-CERTIFIED HOME HEALTH AGENCY AND HAVE A DOCTOR’S
ORDER FOR CARE. MEDICARE PAYS THE FULL COST OF THIS CARE... THERE IS NO
DEDUCTIBLE OR CO-PAYMENT.
·
HOSPICE CARE: MEDICARE
COVERS CARE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE TERMINALLY ILL AND WHO OPT FOR
HOSPICE CARES INSTEAD OF HOSPITALIZATION... INDIVIDUALS MUST
RECEIVE CARE FROM A MEDICARE, CERTIFIED HOSPICE. THERE IS A 5 PERCENT
CO-PAYMENT FOR EACH MEDICATION.
MEDICARE PART B:
BEFORE MEDICARE WILL COVER
SERVICES UNDER PART B, YOU MUST SATISFY A $100 DEDUCTIBLE AND
PAY OUT-OF-POCKET (OR THROUGH INSURANCE) FOR THOSE SERVICES... ONCE YOU HAVE MET
THIS $100 DEDUCTIBLE, MEDICARE PAYS FOR 80 PERCENT OF THE
MEDICARE-APPROVED CHARGE… MEDICARE PROVIDERS WHO ACCEPT
“ASSIGNMENT” MAY NOT CHARGE THEIR PATIENTS MORE THAN
MEDICARE’S APPROVED CHARGE FOR THEIR SERVICES... (MEDICARE PAYS 80
PERCENT AND THE CARE RECIPIENT OR A MEDIGAP POLICY PAYS THE
REMAINING 20 PERCENT)...
IT IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO ASK PROVIDERS WHETHER THEY
WILL ACCEPT ASSIGNMENT.
***
ALONG WITH THE 2.6% INCREASE IN
COLA, MEDICARE PART B WILL INCREASE FROM $50.00 TO $54.00
PER MONTH EFFECTIVE JAN
2002... MILITARY RETIREES AND SPOUSES OVER AGE 65 MUST
BE ENROLLED IN MEDICARE PART B TO RECEIVE FULL TRICARE FOR
LIFE (TFL) BENEFITS... IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE FULL TFL
BENEFITS AFTER AGE 65, PLEASE CONTACT OUR SOCIAL SECURITY
OFFICE IN MANILA (U.S. EMBASSY) BETWEEN 02 JAN AND 31 MAR 2002 FOR
ENROLLMENT... VERY IMPORTANT FOR TFL MEMBERS... EFFECTIVE DATE
WILL BE 01 JUL EACH YEAR FOR LATE ENROLLEES...
PART B MEDICARE
NOTE: IF YOU ARE NOT
AN AMERICAN CITIZEN OR COMPLETED THE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE UNITED STATES, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY
BENEFITS UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE UNITED STATES FOR ONE FULL
MONTH... THE PURPOSE OF THIS ENROLLMENT IS TO QUALIFY YOU FOR
TRICARE FOR LIFE BENEFITS...
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 BENEFICIAL OR RECOMMENDED FOR
TRICARE OR CHAMPVA ELIGIBLE MEMBERS... TRICARE FOR LIFE (TFL) MEMBERS MUST
HAVE MEDICARE PART A & B; HOWEVER, PART “D” IS OPTIONAL,
CANNOT BE USED OVERSEAS AND AS STATED ABOVE THE PROGRAM WOULD
NOT BE BENEFICIAL TO TRICARE/CHAMPVA MEMBERS...
MEDICARE CARD: I
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 FOR 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 HOSPITAL (AUFMC) IS 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
PHYSICIAN(S)/SURGEON... THE
HOSPITAL DOES NOT HAVE CONTROL OVER THIS COST AND THAT IS A
GOOD REASON WHY YOU SHOULD FIND OUT BEFOREHAND… ANYTIME YOU
THINK YOU WERE OVERBILLED, 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....
HEALTH CARE IN
ANGELES CITY: IF YOU ARE TRICARE
STANDARD/CHAMPVA, AN ACTIVE DUTY DEPENDENT, MILITARY RETIREE/
DEPENDENT/WIDOW; WE HAVE OUTSTANDING MEDICAL SERVICES
AVAILABLE... HAVE SEVERAL HMO’S TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE
WITHOUT ANY COST TO YOU AND ONE EVEN PROVIDES FREE FUNERAL
SERVICES IF YOU ARE A MEMBER (REF WEB www.cybercareink.net...
THIS
ALSO INCLUDES CHAMPVA DEPENDENTS/ WIDOWS... VA MEDICAL CARE:
IF YOU ARE RATED BETWEEN 0-100% VA SERVICE
CONNECTED, THE VA, MANILA WILL PROVIDE ALL YOUR SERVICE
CONNECTED CARE PLUS FREE OUTPATIENT-PHARMACY BENEFITS TO
NONSERVICE CONNECTED VETERANS... NOTE: TRICARE PRIME
MEMBERS SHOULD DISENROLL PRIOR TO SEEKING MEDICAL CARE HERE...
PROVIDERS DO NOT NORMALLY ACCEPT TRICARE PRIME MEMBERS BECAUSE
THEY CANNOT GET PAID DIRECTLY (TRICARE POLICY)... IF ENROLLED
IN TRICARE PRIME, YOU WILL NORMALLY BE REQUIRED TO PAY YOUR
BILL AND SUBMIT YOUR OWN CLAIM... PLEASE SEE ME UPON ARRIVAL
FOR A BRIEFING ON MEDICAL CARE AND OTHER SERVICES
AVAILABLE....
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 (4 BEDS) FOR P170.00 PER DAY
OR ABOUT $6.50 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 THESE 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: THE VA CLINIC IN MANILA
MUST BE NOTI
MEDICAL RECORDS
STORAGE: UNDER
A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) SIGNED BY THE DEPARTMENT
OF DEFENSE (DOD) AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, MEDICAL RECORDS OF ALL
MILITARY MEMBERS RETIRING STARTING 1 MAY 1994, ARE TRANSFERRED
DIRECTLY TO THE DVA RATHER THAN THE NATIONAL PERSONNEL RECORDS CENTER UNDER THE MOU...
·
IF THE MEMBER
INITIATES A CLAIM DURING OUT-PROCESSING THROUGH THE MILITARY
PERSONNEL FLIGHT OF THEIR BASE, THEIR MEDICAL RECORDS ARE
TRANSFERRED DIRECTLY TO THE VETERANS AFFAIRS REGIONAL OFFICE
(VARO), NEAREST THEIR FUTURE ADDRESS...
·
FOR THOSE NOT
INITIATING A CLAIM, THEIR MEDICAL RECORDS ARE TRANSFERRED
DIRECTLY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS SERVICE MEDICAL
RECORDS CENTER, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI...
·
OFFICIALS STRESS
THAT THE ABOVE IS APPLICABLE ONLY TO MEMBERS WHO
RETIRED AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE
(1 MAY 94) AND AFFECTS ONLY MEDICAL RECORDS… IT DOES NOT
AFFECT THOSE OTHER STORED BY THE NATIONAL PERSONNEL RECORDS
CENTER, LOCATED IN ST. LOUIS AND IT DOES NOT AFFECT THE
MEDICAL RECORDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO RETIRED OR SEPARATED BEFORE
1 MAY 94. MEMBERS WHO WANT COPIES OF THEIR MEDICAL RECORDS FROM VA-SMRC, NEED TO WRITE TO: VA-SMRC
YOU CAN INQUIRE BY
TELEPHONE TO DETERMINE THE LOCATION OF YOUR RECORDS BY CALLING
VA-SMRC AT (314) 538-5070;
HOWEVER, RECORDS CANNOT BE FORWARDED AS RESULT OF A PHONE
CALL. REQUEST
MUST BE IN WRITING. IN
DEALING WITH VA-SMRC AND OTHER AGENCIES, OFFICIAL EMPHASIZED
THAT INDIVIDUALS ALWAYS INCLUDE THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. WITHOUT THE SSAN,
LOCATING RECORDS IS ALWAYS MORE DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES
IMPOSSIBLE. REFERENCE
KABP, TEX, JUNE 96 NEWSLETTER...
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, IT’S 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:
NOTE: THE DENGUE
CARRYING MOSQUITO (AEDES) ARE NOT ALL INFECTED BY THE DENGUE
VIRUS; THEY ARE JUST CARRIERS… WHEN THE MOSQUITO BITES A
PERSON WITH DENGUE FEVER THEY BECOME CARRIERS…
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...
GENERIC DRUGS: ACROSS
THE COUNTER DRUGS SUCH AS ASPIRIN AND VITAMINS CAN BE
PURCHASED AT A
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 &
MANSON. 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 DRUSGS 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 AVAILABLE FOR THE
PHILIPPINES... MUST HAVE U.S. CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS WITH A DEA
LICENSE WHICH WE DO NOT HAVE...
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: PURE GOLD DUTY FREE,
CLARKFIELD AND SM MALL SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA...
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: FREE
AT SEVERAL OF OUR TRICARE PARTICIPATING CLINICS...
PNEUMONIA
VACCINE: YES,
THERE IS SUCH A THING… IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF
HEART/LUNG/CHRONIC ILLNESS PROBLEMS, MAY BE WISE TO CONSULT
YOUR PHYSICIAN ABOUT THIS VACCINE... FREE AT CYBERCARE CLINIC
TO THEIR TRICARE MEMBERS...
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.
THIS PAST MONTH WE NEEDED TWO UNITS OF COMMON TYPE
BLOOD; HOWEVER WE COULD NOT FIND ONE ACCEPTABLE DONOR, ONE BIG
PROBLEM IS THAT ONE IS DISQUALIFIED IF YOU HAVE DRINKED ANY
ALCOHOL WITHIN TWENTY FOUR HOURS, ON MEDICATION, ETC. THIS DISQUALIFIES
OVER 90% OF OUR RETIREES AND THEN IT IS HARD TO GET THE OTHER
TEN PERCENT TO GIVE... 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 PROGRAM ESTABLISHED (GIVE NOW - RECEIVE
LATER)... SEE BULLETIN BOARD FOR DETAILS...
AMERICAN RED
CROSS (ARC): PLEASE USE PHILIPPINE RED
CROSS TEL. NO. (63)
(2) 527-0856 / 527-8384 97 (main line)…
U.S. MILITARY
RETIREES AND TRICARE RESPONSIBILITY: THE U.S. GOV’T HAS PROVIDED
YOU AND YOUR
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...
TRICARE
PHARMACY BENE
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 DO NOT NORMALLY CALLED CO-PAYMENTS...
TRICARE
STANDARD/CHAMPUS PATIENTS: WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY THE
HMO, THAT CHAMPUS PATIENTS HAVE BEEN DEMANDING UNNECESSARY MEDICAL TEST(S)... ACCORDING TO THE HMO, MANY OF THESE
TEST/X-RAYS ARE NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PATIENT PLUS A WASTE
OF MONEY... SHOULD
TAKE THE ADVISE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR GET A SECOND OPINION...
TRICARE
STANDARD/CHAMPUS INPATIENT-OUT-PATIENT GUIDELINES: AS A RULE, TO BE CONSIDERED
AN INPATIENT, YOU MUST STAY
IN THE HOSPITAL OVERNIGHT (24 HRS)... SOME EXCEPTIONS TO
THE RULES ARE AMBULATORY 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
STANDARD/CHAMPUS CLAIMS: WHEN YOU HAVE OUTPATIENT
CLAIMS OR RECEIVE INPATIENT CARE AT HOSPITALS WHO DO NOT
PARTICIPATE IN CHAMPUS;
YOU SHOULD SUBMIT YOUR CLAIM WITHIN ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE
SERVICE WAS RENDERED TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT... WHEN
SUBMITTING YOUR CLAIM, KEEP THE ORIGINAL RECEIPTS ON FILE AND
SUBMIT YOUR XEROX COPIES
TO CHAMPUS (ONLY ONE FAMILY MEMBER PER FORM)… WE HAVE
THE CLAIM FORMS AND ADDRESS AT THE RAO… SUGGEST YOU
MAIL REGISTERED WITH RETURN RECEIPT...
TRICARE PRIME
MEMBERS: PROVIDERS
WILL NOT 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
STATISTICS: IF YOU WOULD LIKE
TO SEE HOW TRICARE COST HAS INCREASED IN THE PHILIPPINES SINCE
FY 1998 THIS IS JUST FOR YOU... AS YOU WILL NOTE WHILE OUR
RETIREE POPULATION HAS DECREASED OUR MEDICAL COST HAS
INCREASED FROM $8.5 MILLION DURING 1998 TO $137.3 MILLION
2002... CLAIMS ALSO JUMPED FROM 24,246 CY98 TO 244,076
CY2002... LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING MAKE OUR RETIREES MORE SICKLY
AND DOUBT IF WE CAN BLAME THAT ON SAN MIGUEL... MAYBE A MORE
LOGICAL REASON WAS THAT TRICARE DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT
SAFEGUARDS... LOOKS LIKE DURING FY2003 TRICARE WOKE UP AND
THEN EFFECTIVE 01 FEB, 2004 THE CHAMPUS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE
CHARGE (CMAC) PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED... EXPECT TO SEE TRICARE
COST CUT IN HALF AGAIN THIS YEAR BUT THAT WILL STILL NOT GET
US BACK TO THE BASE YEAR OF 1998... HOW WILL THIS EFFECT
YOU??? SHOULD NOT EFFECT THE AVERAGE TRICARE MEMBER BEING THAT
PROVIDERS ARE STILL MAKING SUBSTANTIAL PROFITS FROM TRICARE
PATIENTS... HOPEFULLY SOON TRICARE COST WILL BE IN LINE WITH
OUR VA COST WHICH HAS BEEN CONTROLLED VERY EFFICIENTLY... EXAMPLE: DURING FY2003 THEIR
BUDGET FOR SUPPORTING ALL THE VA PATIENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES
WAS ONLY $5.M...
NEW TRICARE
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
OVERSEAS POLICY: Active duty military
families who live overseas can choose how to get their health
care under TRICARE. They have two options: TRICARE Prime and
TRICARE Standard. Military retirees and their families who
live overseas can’t enroll in TRICARE Prime, but they can use
TRICARE Standard. Medicare-eligible uniformed-services
retirees and their eligible family members must be enrolled in
Medicare Part B to receive TRICARE benefits. This also applies
to overseas residents, even though Medicare doesn’t pay for
services received outside the U.S and its territories. Under
TRICARE Prime, active duty eligible families who live overseas
must enroll as they would stateside. Enrollment in TRICARE
Prime for active duty families overseas is not automatic.
Military sponsors must take action to enroll their families in
TRICARE Prime. Active duty families pay no enrollment fees,
cost shares, or deductibles while overseas. Overseas TRICARE
Prime enrollees traveling in the United States will have the
same priority for available appointments at Military Treatment
Facilities as TRICARE Prime enrollees who live near these
facilities. Persons who are enrolled in TRICARE Prime overseas
may call toll free 1-888-777-8343 for assistance during normal
business hours.
TRICARE COST IN
THE PHILIPPINES: APPEARS MOST OF OUR TRICARE
PATIENTS RECEIVED A FORM LETTER FROM TRICARE DATED JULY 20,
2004 CONCERNING INFLATED CHARGES BY PROVIDERS OR FOR SERVICE
NOT RENDERED... IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHAT THE CODES ARE CHECK
WITH YOUR PROVIDER OR TRICARE WEB www.tricare.osd.mil/cmac/utilities.cfm
FOR THAT DATA... STEPS:
CLICK ON CMAC
“PRICING FOR RANGE OF PROCEDURES”, ENTER THE ZIP CODE (00601)
FOR PUERTO RICO, ENTER PROCEDURE CODE RANGE YOU ARE TRYING TO LOCATE AND THIS
WILL PROVIDE THE PROCEDURE CODE, COST AND MEDICAL SERVICE
DESCRIPTION... IF NOT SURE YOU RECEIVED THE SERVICE REFLECTED
IN YOUR EOB, YOUR PROVIDER SHOULD LET YOU REVIEW YOUR
RECORD... IF YOU FIND DISCREPANCIES, THE PROVIDER SHOULD FIX
OR YOU SHOULD REPORT SAME TO TRICARE... SHOULD BE NOTED THAT
THE TRICARE WEB REFERRED ABOVE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO REFLECT
THE AMOUNT THAT WILL BE PAID BY TRICARE FOR SERVICES
RENDERD... EXAMPLE: IF THE CMAC COST
ALLOWED IS $50.00 AND THE PROVIDERS BILLS $100.00 ONLY THE
$50.00 ALLOWED WILL BE PAID... ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS IF THE COST
ALLOWED IS $50.00 AND THE PROVIDER BILLS $30.00, ONLY $30.00
WILL BE PAID (NOT THE $50.00 MAX)... SEE ME IF YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS...
TRICARE COST
SHARE: BEEN A LOT OF QUESTIONS
CONCERNING HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS COLLECTING THE $150./300.
TRICARE DECUCTIBLE... SOME PROVIDERS ARE TRYING TO COLLECT THE
TOTAL DECUCTIBLE 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 EXCEED
$3,000 PER FAMILY PER FISCAL YEAR AND THEN TRICARE WILL PAY
100% OF YOUR AUTHORIZED MEDICAL BILLS... IF YOU DESIRE TO
SUBMIT YOUR OWN TRICARE CLAIMS, SEE ME AND I WILL HELP YOU
COMPLETE CLAIM FORM... PAYMENTS ARE NORMALLY PROCESSED BY
TRICARE WITHIN 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 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
ELIGIBLE MEMBERS OVER AGE 65/TRICARE MEMBERS RECEIVING SSA
DISABILITY BENEFITS: TRICARE MEMBERS OVER AGE 65
MUST BE ENROLLED IN MEDICARE, PART B TO RECEIVE FULL TRICARE
FOR LIFE (TFL BENEFITS)... ALSO TRICARE MEMBERS WHO BECOME
ELIGIBLE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY
DISABILITY (BEFORE AGE 65) MUST ALSO BE ENROLLED IN
MEDICARE, PART B TO CONTINUE RECEIVING TRICARE BENEFITS...
TRICARE CLAIMS WILL THEN BE PROCESSED AS TFL (DUAL STATUS) FOR
MEMBERS REGARDLESS OF AGE... IN CASE A TRICARE MEMBER BECOMES
DISABLED DUE TO END-STAGE KIDNEY DESEASE AND NOT ELIGIBLE FOR
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY, THEY MUST APPLY FOR A SSA “NOTICE
OF DISALLOWANCE” TO CONTINUE
TRICARE ELIGIBILITY... NOTE: PAYMENT FOR
PART B, MEDICARE DOES NOT COMMENCE (AT YOUR EXPENSE) UNTIL
THE 25TH MONTH...
NEW TRICARE
CLAIM POLICY FOR THE PHILIPPINES: All Tricare Users in the
Philippines [2/14/03] - Effective March 15, 2003, the
Philippine Tricare contractor Wisconsin Physicians Service
[WPS] will no longer accept "Signature on File" and "Facsimile
Signature Authority" on paper claims. Claims without the
beneficiary's actual signature will be denied and a
notification of the denial will be sent to both the
beneficiary and the provider with instructions on how to
resubmit the claims. Beneficiaries should not sign blank forms
are encouraged to retain a copy of what they sign to compare
to what ultimately appears on their Explanation of Benefits
[EOB]. It is the beneficiary's responsibility to report any
care shown on the EOB by the medical care provider that was
not actually received on the dates indicated. If you want to
make a Fraud or Abuse report from the Philippines send to:
1.
E-Mail: "Tricare -
Clare Kerwin [WPS]" <c.kerwin@www.wpsic.com> or
2.
Mail your
information to: TRICARE Program Integrity, P.O. Box 7635,
Madison, WI 53707-7635
If you desire a
response provide appropriate contact information in your
correspondence and indicate you want a response. [Source:
Tricare Pacific Lead Agent Msg. 11 FEB 03]
ADDED: PLEASE NOTE THE
ABOVE POLICY DOES NOT EFFECT INDIVIDUAL CLAIMS (SUBMIT AS
USUAL)...
TRICARE PAYMENT
PROBLEMS IN THE PHILIPPINES: STILL NOT FIXED...
MANY IF NOT ALL TRICARE
PARTICIPATING PROVIDERS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH PAYMENTS FROM
TRICARE OVERSEAS; THEREFORE, IT HAS BECOME NECESSARY FOR MOST
TRICARE PROVIDERS TO REDUCE SERVICES/COST UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS
RESOLVED... I AM WORKING WITH TRICARE/DOD TO FIND A SOLUTION
TO THIS PROBLEM AT THE EARLIEST DATE POSSIBLE... IN THE
MEANTIME IF YOUR PROVIDER CANNOT PROVIDE NORMAL SERVICES, YOUR
OPTIONS ARE TO PAY THE BILL AND FILE A CLAIM WITH TRICARE
DIRECTLY OR TRY TO WORK OUT AN AGREEMENT WITH YOUR PROVIDER TO
REIMBURSE YOU ONCE THE PAYMENT PROBLEM IS RESOLVED... NOT
GREAT BUT WE DO NOT HAVE TOO MANY OPTIONS AT PRESENT... THIS
PROBLEM HAS SURFACED AFTER YEARS OF OVERCHARGING BY PROVIDERS
AND FRAUDULENT CLAIMS... LOTS OF THESE PROBLEMS CAN ALSO BE
TRACED BACK TO TRICARE MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN PAYING THEIR
FAIR SHARE OF THE TRICARE BILL... EXAMPLE; THE
INDIVIDUAL DEERS ELIGIBLE RETIREE/DEPENDENT IS REQUIRED TO PAY
25% OF ALL TRICARE
MEDICAL CARE UNTIL THE $3,000.
ANNUAL CATASTROPIC CAP IS MET PLUS THE $300./$150
OUTPATIENT DEDUCTABLE DEPENDING ON FAMILY/INDIVIDUAL STATUS...
AS MOST ARE AWARE THE TRICARE PARTICIPATING PROVIDERS HAVE
BEEN ABSORBING THIS COST WHICH HAD TO BE MADE UP BY
OVERBILLING TRICARE OR LESS PROFITS...
TRICARE
PROVIDERS: NOT ALL TRICARE PROVIDERS
LISTED ON WEB http://www.oki.med.navy.mil/tricare
WILL “ACCEPT ASSIGNMENT” MEANING THEY WILL FILE YOUR CLAIM;
THEREFORE, YOU SHOULD ASK THE HOSPITAL IF THEY WILL FILE THE
CLAIMS BEFORE BEING ADMITTED (IF NOT AN EMERGENCY)... EXAMPLE;
AUF MEDICAL CENTER, ANGELES CITY IS LISTED ON SUBJECT WEB;
HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT FILE CLAIM ANYMORE... MANY OF THE
HOSPITAL DO NOT ACCEPT CHAMPUS/TRICARE BECAUSE OF STRICT
DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS THAT HAS BEEN IMPOSED ON THE
PROVIDERS AND ASKING QUESTIONS PRIOR TO BEING ADMITTED MAY
SAVE YOU FINANCIAL PROBLEMS UPON DISCHARGE... WE HAVE SEVERAL
PROVIDERS IN OUR AREA WHO DO ACCEPT ASSIGNMENT AND CAN BRIEF
YOU UPON REQUEST AT OUR RAO...
TRICARE
PROVIDERS AND PATIENT RESPONSIBILITY: THE BUREAU OF MEDICINE AND
SURGERY HAS PUBLISHED THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES TO HELP
PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS UNDERSTAND EACH DECISION CONCERNING
THEIR HEALTH CARE:
1.
IF A PATIENT IS
UNABLE TO TALK/UNCOMFORTABLE TALKING WITH A PROVIDER, A
DESIGNATED PATIENT ADVOCATE SUCH AS A RELATIVE OR FRIEND
SHOULD ACCOMPANY THE PATIENT TO SPEAK FOR HIM/HER...
2.
THE PATIENT SHOULD
KEEP A RECORD OF ALL MEDICINES, VITAMINS AND HERBAL
SUPPLEMENTS BEING TAKEN AND PROVIDE TO YOUR PHYSICIAN WHEN
RECEIVING INITIAL TREATMENT... ASK YOUR PHYSICIAN TO EXPLAIN
ALL PRESCRIPTIONS AND IF THERE ARE ANY SIDE EFFECTS...
3.
LEARN ABOUT YOUR
ILLNESS, CONDITION, TREATMENT PLANS AND ANY TEST TO BE
CONDUCTED BEFORE MAKING A DECISION... IF SURGERY IS REQUIRED,
HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SURGEON ON EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING TO
BE DONE AND EXPECTED POST SURGERY RECOVERY DATA...
SUPPLEMENTAL
TRICARE STANDARD INSURANCE: BEING THAT MOST TRICARE
PROVIDERS IN THE PI HAS DECIDED TO FOLLOW ESTABLISHED
GUIDELINES, WE MUST NOW PAY THE $150./300 PER FAMILY
DEDUCTIBLE PER FISCAL YEAR (01 OCT – 30 SEP)
PLUS THE 25% COST
SHARE THEREAFTER UNTIL THE CATASTROPHIC CAP OF $3,000.00 PER
FISCAL YEAR IS MET, YOU COULD CONSIDER SUPPLEMENTAL
INSURANCE... WEB http://www.tricare.osd.mil/supplementalinsurance/supplementalinfo.htm
LIST MOST TRICARE SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE THAT IS AVAILABLE...
CAN SELECT THE ONES INTERESTED AND CONTACT THEM FOR MORE
INFORMATION IF SO DESIRED... UNDERSTAND COST IS BASED ON THE
SIZE OF YOUR FAMILY AND YOU WOULD SUBMIT YOUR BILLS DIRECTLY
TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY FOR PAYMENT UNLESS THE
HOSPITAL/CLINIC AGREED TO ACCEPT YOUR INSURANCE... NOTE: THIS INSURANCE CAN
BE EXPENSIVE…
TRICARE MAIL
ORDER PHARMACY: EFFECTIVE
21 MAY 2003, THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) HAS AUTHORIZED MILITARY RETIREES
TO RECEIVE TRICARE MAIL ORDER PHARMACY SHIPMENTS WITHOUT ANY
WEIGHT LIMITATIONS VIA OUR FPO... THIS WAS ALLOWED
UNOFFICIALLY BY THE EMBASSY PREVIOUSLY AND IS NOW OFFICIAL...
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE PRESCRIPTION CAN ONLY BE SHIPPED FROM
THE “TRICARE MAIL ORDER PHARMACY” (NO OTHER AGENCY/BUSINESS...
WITH THIS AUTHORITY WE CAN RECEIVE TRICARE MAIL ORDER
PHARMACY; HOWEVER, WE DON’T HAVE ANYONE AUTHORIZED TO WRITE
PRESCRIPTIONS (PHYSICIANS MUST BE REGISTERED IN THE UNITED
STATES AND HAVE A DFA LICENSE)... WE HAVE REQUESTED
AUTHORITY FOR AUTHORIZED TRICARE PROVIDERS TO ALSO BE ALLOWED
TO WRITE THESE PRESCRIPTIONS; HOWEVER, AS WE KNOW CHANGES TAKE
TIME...
TRICARE CLAIMS: BEST TO REQUEST REMITTANCE
IN U.S. DOLLARS WHEN FILING YOUR INDIVIDUAL TRICARE CLAIMS
WITH TRICARE OVERSEAS... FIRST, YOU WILL SAVE MONEY IN THE
EXCHANGE RATE AND CASHING THE DOLLAR CHECK IS MUCH EASIER...
PESO CHECKS ARE ONLY REDEEMABLE AT CITY BANK, MANILA AND SOME BANKS WILL
NOT CASH/ACCEPT DUE TO RESTRICTIONS...
“TRICARE beneficiaries who
file their own claims should remember that, with few
exceptions, claims must be filed within one year of the date
of medical service or from the date of discharge from an
inpatient facility. Beneficiaries
also have one year from the date they receive medication to
file for reimbursement of pharmacy claims. Additionally, the
one-year filing deadline applies to those who file on behalf
of individuals with other health insurance (OHI). The deadline applies
to TRICARE Standard beneficiaries as well as to TRICARE Prime
enrollees who obtain emergency or urgent care outside of the
TRICARE region in which they are enrolled. TRICARE
beneficiaries who use non-network pharmacies to obtain their
prescription drugs pay full price at the pharmacy and then
must file a claim to obtain reimbursement. By law, other health
insurance (OHI) held by TRICARE beneficiaries must be the
first payer for covered benefits, including covered pharmacy
services. Exceptions
to the one-year timely claims filing deadline apply if one or
more of the following situations occur:
·
The beneficiary was
TRICARE eligible at the time of service, but eligibility was
not reflected on the Defense Enrollment and Eligibility
Reporting System until after the timely filing limit.
·
Retroactive
preauthorization was received after the timely filing limit
expired.
·
TRICARE Management
Activity or the regional contractor made an administrative
error.
·
A legal guardian
responsible for managing the affairs of a mentally incompetent
patient or a patient who is unable to communicate, was
appointed after the timely filing date was reached.
·
The provider
submits the claim as a TRICARE participating provider after
changing from a non-participating provider.
·
The patient
submitted a claim to their OHI in a timely fashion and the
insurance plan was responsible for a delay beyond the one-year
filing date or
·
Medicare accepts
TRICARE for Life claims as timely.
For more
information on exceptions to the one-year timely claims filing
deadline and for claims requirements, beneficiaries may visit
http://www.tricare.osd.mil/claims For additional
information on where to file claims, beneficiaries should go
to http://www.tricare.osd.mil click on their
specific TRICARE region, and obtain information regarding the
TRICARE Retail Pharmacy or the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy,
as appropriate.”
NOTE: WHEN FILING DD
FORM 2642 REQUESTING MEDICAL
REIMBURSEMENT ADDRESS YOUR CLAIM TO: Tricare Overseas
Wisconsin Physicians Service P.O. Box 7985 Madison, WI
53707-7985.... WHEN FILING DD FORM 2642 FOR PHARMACY ONLY
REIMBURSEMENT ADDRESS YOUR CLAIM TO :Express Scripts,
Inc. ATTN: TRICARE
Claims P.O. Box 66518 St. Louis, MO 63166-6518... PLEASE
REMEMBER THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE PERSON PER CLAIM, CANNOT MIX IN
& OUTPATIENT CLAIMS AND ATCH XEROX COPIES OF YOUR BILLS TO
EACH CLAIM... KEEP THE ORIGINAL RECEIPT FOR YOUR FILE ALONG
WITH A XEROX COPY OF YOUR CLAIM... SHOULD EXPECT REIMBURSEMENT
WITHIN 4/5 WEEKS...
FILING TRICARE
CLAIMS: IF
THE CLAIM IS BEING SUBMITTED FOR AN ACCIDENTAL INJURY BE SURE
TO ATTACH DD FORM 2527
(STATEMENT OF PERSONAL INJURY-POSSIBLE THIRD PART LIABILITY)...
IF NOT INCLUDED YOUR CLAIM WILL NOT NORMALLY BE PAID UNTIL
SUBJECT FORM IS RECEIVED... IF RECEIVED WITHOUT THE DD FORM
2527, TRICARE WILL SEND YOU A COMPUTER GENERATED LETTER AND
FORM TO COMPLETE... BE SURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN ASAP OR
YOUR CLAIM WILL BE PUT ON HOLD... IF YOUR PROVIDER SUBMITTED
YOUR CLAIMS AND YOU RECEIVE A TRICARE LETTER WITH DD FORM 2527
ATTACHED BE SURE TO COMPLETE
& RETURN OR CONTACT YOUR PROVIDER...
TRICARE
FRAUD/OVERBILLING: LOOKS LIKE THE DAYS OF
USING TRICARE AS A “MILKING COW” ARE NUMBERED... WE HAVE BEEN
TRYING TO REDUCE THIS PROBLEM TO A MANAGABLE LEVEL FOR YEARS
AND IT APPEARS TRICARE HAS FINALLY WOKE UP... THE ATCH LETTER FROM
TRICARE HAS GIVEN SOME GOOD EXAMPLES OF TRICARE
FRAUD/OVERBILLING AND WE NOW HAVE A MORE CLEAR PICTURE OF
THEIR DEFINITION OF TRICARE FRAUD.... EXAMPLE: IF YOU SEE THAT YOUR
PROVIDER IS BILLING YOU/TRICARE MORE THAN OTHER CUSTOMERS OR
BILLING FOR A DOCTORS VISIT FOR A PRESCRIPTION REFILL WITHOUT
CONSULTATIONS THAT IS A CLEAR VIOLATION OF TRICARE POLICY...
REPORT DIRECTLY TO TRICARE OVERSEAS OR SEE ME...
REVIEWING
BILLING: TRICARE
OVERSEAS WILL PROVIDE A LISTING OF ALL BILLS PAID AGAINST YOUR
ACCOUNT AND IF YOU SEE ANY EXCESSIVE CHARGES OR SERVICE NOT
RENDERED, IT’S TIME TO VISIT OUR OFFICE... WE HAVE A DIRECT
REPORTING SYSTEM FOR TRICARE FRAUD AND WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY
TO HELP... ALSO SHOULD BE AWARE OF PHYSICIANS PERFORMING
UNNECESSARY TEST/PROCEDURES... IN GENERAL IF YOU HAD TO PAY,
WOULD YOU STILL ALLOW THE TEST/PROCEDURE TO BE CONDUCTED... IF
THE ANSWER IS NO, YOU HAVE YOUR ANSWER... OUR GOVERNMENT HAS
PROVIDED/TRUSTED US WITH THE TRICARE STANDARD PROGRAM AND IT
IS UP TO US TO SAFEGUARD OUR BENEFITS AND TAX DOLLARS... JUST
REMEMBER TRICARE FRAUD HAS MANY FACES AND IF SOMETHING SOUND
TO BE TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT GENERALLY IS... PLEASE NOTE THAT
TRICARE STANDARD IS FOR INDIVIDUAL USE AND TRICARE DOES NOT
HAVE CONTRACT PROVIDERS IN THE PHILIPPINES... WE ONLY HAVE
TRICARE STANDARD PARTICIPATING HOSPITALS/CLINICS AND LOCAL
INSURANCE PROGRAMS (NOTHING MORE)... IF SOMEONE SHOULD
TELL YOU THEY ARE TRICARE CONTRACTORS, ASK FOR A COPY OF THE
CONTRACT AND PROVIDE TO ME... I AM SURE TRICARE WOULD BE
INTERESTED... IF
WE COULD CONVERT ALL THE TRICARE PROPAGANDA INTO COMPOST, THE
LOCAL FARMERS WOULD HAVE AN INEXAUSTIBLE SOURCE OF
FERTILIZER...
SCHOOL
PHYSICALS FOR TRICARE STANDARD BENEFICIARIES: SCHOOL CHILDREN BETWEEN THE
AGES OF 5-11 ARE NOW AUTHORIZED SCHOOL PHYSICALS ON THE SAME
BASIS AS OTHER TRICARE STANDARD MEDICAL CARE... CLAIMS ARE
RETROACTIVE TO OCT 30, 2000 IF YOU PAID FOR THIS SERVICE
DURING THAT TIME FRAME... I THINK MOST ARE AWARE THAT PHYSICAL
EXAMS WERE NOT AUTHORIZED TO TRICARE STANDARD PATIENTS
PREVIOUSLY; HOWEVER, SOME TRICARE PROVIDERS INCLUDED THIS, AS
A “FREE SERVICE”...
CHAMPVA: FOR DEPENDENTS OF VETERANS
WHO DID NOT RETIRE FROM THE U.S. MILITARY AND HAVE A PERMANENT
AND TOTAL SERVICE CONNECTED CONDITION/DISABILITY... THIS
PROGRAM USED TO TERMINATE LIKE TRICARE WHEN ONE REACHED AGE 65; HOWEVER, ALL
THIS CHANGED ON 05 JUN 2001 WHEN THE PRESIDENT SIGNED INTO LAW
A NEW PROGRAM CALLED CHAMPVA FOR LIFE WHICH WILL
BECOME EFFECTIVE 0CT 1, 2001 (SEE WEBSITE www2.mozcom.com/~rao_cabr ATTACHEMENT #3)...
***
REFERENCE THE
CHAMPVA HANDBOOK... THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR
CHAMPVA BENEFITS, PROVIDING THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CHAMPUS
(TRICARE) OR MEDICARE PART A AS A RESULT OF REACHING THE AGE
OF 65:
·
THE SPOUSE OF CHILD
OF A VETERAN WHO HAS BEEN RATED BY AN VA REGIONAL OFFICE AS
HAVING A PERMANENT AND TOTAL SERVICE-CONNECTED
CONDITION/DISABILITY...
·
THE SURVIVING
SPOUSE OR CHILD OF A VETERAN WHO DIED AS A RESULT OF A VA
RATED-SERVICE CONNECTED CONDITION; OR WHO, AT THE TIME OF
DEATH, WAS RATED PERMANENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABLED FROM A
SERVICE – CONNECTED CONDITION; AND
·
THE SURVIVING
SPOUSE OR CHILD OF A PERSON WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND
NOT DUE TO MISCONDUCT WITHIN 30 DAYS OF ENTRY INTO ACTIVE
MILITARY SERVICE...
TO FILE FOR
CHAMPVA, YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FROM WEB SITE http://www.va.gov/hac/champva/champva.html
OR SEE ME AND MAIL
TO: CHAMPVA CENTER
P.O. BOX 65023
DENVER, CO 80206-5023
SHOULD RECEIVED
YOUR REPLY/CHAMPVA CARD WITHIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS...
SUBJ: CHAPTER 30 DIRECT DEPOSIT (VA)
1.
PURPOSE. THIS IS TO
ANNOUNCE THAT DIRECT DEPOSIT IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR VETERANS AND
SERVICE PERSONS RECEIVING
CHAPTER 30 EDUCATION BENEFITS.
2.
NOTIFICATION
LETTERS. THEN HINES BENEFITS DELIVERY CENTER WILL BEGIN NOTIFYING PERSONS WHO RECENTLY RECEIVED CHAPTER 30 BENEFITS
OF THE NEW DIRECT DEPOSIT CAPABILITY. THESE NOTIFICATION LETTERS WILL BE ISSUED OVER A 6-MONTH PERIOD.
3.
MANILA OFFICE CAN PROCESS CHAPTER 30 DIRECT DEPOSIT REQUEST USING THE CADD (CHANGE ADDRESS) COMMAND AS THEY DO NOW FOR C & P BENEFITS. IN ADDITION, THE RPOS CAN ENTER 30 DIRECT DEPOSIT INFORMATION AS PART OF AWARD PROCESSING....
SUBJ: AGENT ORANGE
& TYPE II DIABETES: VIETNAM
VETERANS MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE SERVICE CONNECTED
DISABILITY IF THEY HAVE “ADULT ONSET DIABETES MELLITUS”. MUST HAVE SERVED IN
VIETNAM BETWEEN THE PERIOD OF JAN 9, 62-MAY 7, 1975 OR HAD
PORT CALLS/TDY DUTY IN VIETNAM DURING THAT PERIOD...
FEE-BASIS CARE
FOR TREATMENT OF SERVICE CONNECTED CONDITION (PHILIPPINES
ONLY): THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINIC HAS A
FEE-BASIS PROGRAM FOR ELIGIBLE VETERANS LIVING IN PROVINCIAL
AREAS OUTSIDE THE METRO MANILA AREA... THE PURPOSE OF THIS
PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY MEDICAL CARE TO VETERANS FOR
THEIR SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITIES IN A TIMELY MANNER AND AT
A LOCATION EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO THE VETERAN.... IF SELECTED TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM, THE VETERAN WILL BE REFERRED BY
HIS/HER PRIMARY CARE VA PHYSICIAN TO AN ACCREDITED FEE-BASIS
PHYSICIAN IN THEIR COMMUNITY... FEE-BASIS PHYSICIANS HAVE BEEN
GRANTED CLINICAL PRIVILEGES BY THE VA TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE
ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS... APPOINTED FEE-BASIS PHYSICIANS WILL BE EXPECTED TO
MANAGE THE CARE FOR SERVICE CONNECTED CONDITIONS WITHIN THE
GUIDELINES SPECIFIED BY THE OUTPATIENT CLINIC... REGULAR
UPDATES ON THE STATUS OF CARE PROVIDED AS WELL AS TREATMENT
PLANS WILL BE COMMUNICATED TO THE VA, OPC THROUGH MEDICAL
REPORTS SUBMITTED AFTER EACH CONSULTATION... IF SELECTED FOR
THE PROGRAM, THE VETERAN WILL NO LONGER BE REQUIRED TO VISIT
THE CLINIC FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT, UNLESS OF COURSE, THE VA OPC
FEELS IT BECOMES NECESSARY... BE ASSURED THAT ALTHOUGH WE MAY
ENTRUST YOUR CARE TO AN ACCREDITED FEE-BASIS PHYSICIAN, THE VA
OUTPATIENT CLINIC WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE
MANAGEMENT OF YOUR CARE... IF YOU ARE INTERESTED AND WISH TO
PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM, PLEASE CONTACT THE VA AT
833-4566... DATA PROVIDED BY THE VA CLINIC, MANILA…
NON-SERVICE
CONNECTED VA CARE IN THE PHILIPPINES: MORE
GOOD NEWS IN PARADISE; IF YOU ARE RATED WITH “0”% OR HIGHER FOR
SERVICE CONNECTED BENEFITS, YOU ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR VA
CLINIC/PHARMACY NON SERVICE CONNECTED BENEFITS EFFECTIVE 01 MAR 02... MUST
CONTACT THE VA CLINIC FOR AN APPOINTMENT (02) 833-4566/7/8/9
DURING NORMAL VA DUTY HOURS... WILL BE AUTHORIZED TO USE THE
DAILY VA TRANSPORTATION IF YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT... SEE ATTACHMENT #2 WEBSITE www2.mozcom.com/~rao_cabr FOR DETAILS...
OVERDUE VA
DIVIDENDS: ACCORDING
TO THE ARMED FORCES NEWS, THERE IS A WEB SITE YOU CAN CHECK TO
DETERMINE IF YOU MAY HAVE VA DIVIDENDS DUE FROM WW1,WW2 OR
KOREA AT http://insurance.va.gov/index.htm
IF YOUR NAME IS LISTED, CONTACT THE VA INSURANCE CENTER TO
CLAIM YOUR BENEFITS… THIS IS NOT A SCAM WHERE YOU PAY ANYONE
ANYTHING-JUST SEE IF YOUR NAME IS LISTED FOR THE TIME FRAME
ABOVE…
EMERGENCY VA
SERVICE CONNECTED MEDICAL CARE: VA
PATIENTS ARE ALLOWED TO USE VA CONTRACT HOSPITALS (SEE LIST
BELOW)
·
UNIVERSITY OF SANTO
TOMAS - ESPANA, MANILA
·
MANILA DOCTORS
HOSPITAL – ERMITA, MANILA
·
SAN JUAN DE DIOS
HOSPITAL – PASAY CITY
·
ST. LUKES MEDICAL
CENTER – QUEZON CITY
·
VETERANS MEMORIAL
MEDICAL CENTER – QUEZON CITY
·
PHILIPPINE HEARTH
CENTER – QUEZON CITY
·
JAMES R. GORDON
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL – OLONGAPO CITY
·
CEBU DOCTORS
HOSPITAL – CEBU CITY
·
CHONG HUA HOSPITAL
– CEBU CITY
·
SUBIC LEGEND HEALTH
AND MEDICAL CENTER – OLONGAPO CITY
·
SPECIALIST GROUP OF
HOSPITALS – DAGUPAN CITY
·
SAINT LOUIS
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF THE SACRED HEART – BAGUIO CITY
·
ANGELES UNIVERSITY
FOUNDATION MEDICAL CENTER – ANGELES CITY
·
MOTHER SETON
HOSPITAL – NAGA CITY
·
ST. JOHN HOSPITAL
(RENAL DIALYSIS UNIT) – ILOCOS SUR
·
LORMA MEDICAL
CENTER – SAN FERNANDO, LA UNION
·
MAKATI MEDICAL
CENTER (PSYCHIATRIC WARD)
·
MT. CARMEL HOSPITAL
– ANGELES SAN
FERNANDO HIGHWAY
·
DEE WHA LIONG
EMERGENCY VA
SERVICE CONNECTED MEDICAL CARE IN ANGELES CITY: FOR THOSE WITH SERVICE
CONNECTED DISABILITIES AND REQUIRE EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT
AT VA EXPENSE, THE FOLLOWING HOSPITALS IN THE ANGELES CITY
AREA ARE AUTHORIZED VA CONTRACT HOSPITALS:
·
ANGELES
UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER (AUF)
·
DEE HWA LIONG
FOUNDATION MEDICAL CENTER
·
MOUNT CARMEL
MEDICAL CENTER
·
VETERANS WITH
100% SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITIES: IF YOU DID NOT RETIRE FROM
THE U.S. MILITARY, YOU ARE STILL AUTHORIZED SEVERAL BENEFITS…
CHAMPVA: IF RATE
100% PERMANENTLY DISABLED (SERVICE CONNECTED), YOUR FAMILY MAY
BE AUTHORIZED CHAMPVA WHICH WORKS A LOT LIKE TRICARE
STANDARD/CHAMPUS EXCEPT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE VA CLINIC
FOR OUTPATIENT CARE AND OUR TRICARE PARTICIPATING HOSPITAL FOR
INPATIENT CARE… ALSO ALLOWED TO USE OUR POSTAL FACILITIES PLUS
OTHER PRIVILEGES WHEN YOU VISIT MILITARY BASES… NEW: ADDED A WHEEL CHAIR
RAMP AT OUR POST OFFICE… WILLING TO HELP ANYWAY WE CAN WITHIN
OUR BUDGET, JUST ASK IF YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE
CORRECTED…
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIAL VETERANS BENEFITS (SVB):
1.
BE AGE 65 OR OLDER
ON DECEMBER 14, 1999, THE DATE THIS LAW WAS ENACTED;
2.
BE A WORLD WAR II
VETERAN (THIS INCLUDES VETERANS OF THE ACTIVE MILITARY, NAVAL
OR AIR SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES DURING WORLD WAR II, THE
PERIOD BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 16, 1940 THROUGH JULY 24, 1947. IT ALSO INCLUDES
FILIPINO VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II WHO SERVED IN THE ORGANIZED
MILITARY FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES WHILE THE FORCES WERE IN
THE SERVICE OF THE U.S. ARMED FORCES, OR SERVED IN ORGANIZED
GUERILLA FORCES UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE U.S. MILITARY DURING
THE PERIOD BEGINNING JULY 26, 1941 THROUGH DECEMBER 30,
1946.);
3.
HAVE BEEN ELIGIBLE
FOR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) FOR DECEMBER 1999, THE
MONTH IN WHICH THIS LAW WAS ENACTED;
4.
FILE AN APPLICATION
FOR SVB;
5.
BE ELIGIBLE FOR SSI
FOR THE MONTH IN WHICH HE/SHE FILES AN APPLICATION FOR SVB;
AND
6.
HAVE OTHER BENEFIT
INCOME (SUCH AS ANNUITY, PENSION, RETIREMENT OR DISABILITY
BENEFITS) THAT IS LESS THAN 75 PERCENT OF THE SSI FEDERAL
BENEFIT RATE.
7.
ANY PAYMENTS
RECEIVED FROM THE PHILIPPINES, VA WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM THIS
BENEFIT…
MILITARY-CIVIL
SERVICE RETIREMENT AND CONCURRENT DISABILITY PAY (CDP): “THOSE WHO COMBINED THEIR
MILITARY TIME WITH THEIR CIVIL SERVICE TIME IN ORDER TO
ENHANCE THEIR CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENTS MAY BE ELIGIBLE
COMBAT-RELATED
SPECIAL COMPENSATION PROGRAM: LOT
OF PEOPLE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM HAVE NOT FILED FOR THERI
BENEFITS... QUALIFICATIONS:
“With the inception of the CRSC program on June 1, 2003,
the following eligibility requirements were established:
1.
Retirees had to
apply to their respective branch of service to be approved for
CRSC.
2.
Retirees had to be
in receipt of VA compensation.
3.
Retirees had to be
in receipt of military retired pay or be in a suspended pay
status due to receipt of VA compensation.
4.
Retirees had to
have an approved combat-related VA disability rating of 60% or
greater. Retirees
having an approved combat-related disability associated with a
Purple Heart had to have a rating of 10% or greater.
5.
Retirees had to
have 20 years of active service or, for reservists, 7,200
reserve points in order to be eligible.
n
Effective January
1, 2004, CRSC eligibility was extended to retirees with
combat-related VA disability ratings between 10% and 50%. Additionally,
reservists needed only 20 years of qualifying service
(supported by documentation from the applicable branch of
service such as a 20-year letter, retirement orders or a
statement of service) in order to be eligible. The other
eligibility requirements remained unchanged. Please note that
qualified reservists will not receive CRSC until they begin to
receive retired pay at age 60.
n
Temporary Early
Retirement Authorization (TERA) retirees are not eligible to
receive CRSC unless they have returned to active duty and
accumulated enough service time to meet the 20-year
requirement before retiring for the second time.
n
You may be eligible
for the new compensation if you have a combat-related VA
disability, but in order to receive CRSC payments you must
have an offset to your retired pay for VA disability
compensation. Therefore,
you must have a VA rating and be receiving disability
compensation in order to receive CRSC payments.
n
Due to the
combat-related nature of the Purple Heart, it would be unusual
for a recipient not to have a combat-related VA disability
rating. You may
want to contact the VA to ensure that an error was not made in
the determination of your combat-related disability rating. If your
combat-related disability rating is approved and you meet the
qualifying criteria, you may be entitled to receive CRSC
payments.
You can obtain an
application form on the Department of Defense (DoD) website at
http://www.dod.mil/prhome/docs/DD2860T.pdf. The DoD has provided
additional guidance for help in filling out the application. You can also call or
request an application from the services listed below. Completed
applications must be mailed – they cannot be submitted
electronically.
ARMY: Department of the
Army U.S. Army Physical Disability Agency Combat-Related
Special Compensation (CRSC) 200 Stovall Street Alexandria,
Virginia 22332-0470 Toll-free:
(866) 281-3254
NAVY AND MARINE
CORPS: Department of Navy
Naval Council of Personnel Boards Combat-Related Special
Compensation (CRSC) Branch 720 Kennon Street S.E. Suite 309
Washington Navy Yard, DC
20374-5023 Toll free: (877)365-2772
AIR FORCE: United States Air
Force Personnel Center Disability Division (CRSC) 550 C Street
West, Suite 6 Randolph AFB TX
78150-4708 Toll free:
(866) 229-7074”
KOREAN DEFENSE
SERVICE MEDAL: CONGRESS HAS AUTHORIZED
THIS NEW MEDAL AND SHOULD BE AVAILABLE AT THE BEGINNING OF
JUNE... THOSE CURRENTLY ON ACTIVE DUTY WILL RECEIVE THE METAL
VIA THEIR UNITS... THOSE RETIRED OR OUT OF SERVICE MAY APPLY
THROUGH THEIR FORMER SERVICE BRANCHES WHEN THEY HAVE THE
PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING COMPLETED.. ELIGIBLE MEMBERS ARE THOSE
WHO SERVED ON SOUTH KOREAN LAND OR ADJACENT WATERS (WITH IN 12
MILES) SINCE JULY 28,
1954... METAL MAY ALSO BE AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY... SOURCE: ARMED SERVICES
PRESS SERVICES...
USA
VA ANNOUNCEMENT
VA SCHOOLS: IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO
RETIRE/RETIRED MOVE TO THE PI AND PLAN TO ATTEND SCHOOL, YOU
NEED TO TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS BEFORE YOUR DEPARTURE... VERY
IMPORTANT TO COORDINATE YOUR SCHOOL APPLICATION WITH THE
VA AND YOUR VISA REQUIREMENTS WITH THE PI EMBASSY/CONSULATE
BEFORE YOU DEPART.... THERE ARE OVER 200 VA APPROVED SCHOOLS
THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES... WE HAVE FOUR HERE IN ANGELES
CITY; ANGELES
UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION (AUF),
HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY (HAU),
REPUBLIC CENTRAL COLLEGES (RCC) AND SYSTEM
PLUS... ONCE YOU ARRIVE, SEE US…
VA PENSION: SOME OF OUR PEOPLE MAY BE
ELIGIBLE FOR NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED-DISABILITY SUPPORT… THE
FOLLOWING VA DATA
IS QUOTED FOR YOUR INFORMATION "VETERANS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR
SUPPORT IF THEY HAVE LIMITED INCOME WHEN THEY HAVE 90 DAYS OR MORE OF ACTIVE
MILITARY SERVICE, AT LEAST ONE DAY OF WHICH WAS DURING A
PERIOD OF WAR. THEIR DISCHARGE FROM ACTIVE DUTY MUST
HAVE BEEN UNDER CONDITIONS OTHER THAN DISHONORABLE... THEY MUST BE
PERMANENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABLE FOR REASONS TRACEABLE
NEITHER TO MILITARY SERVICE NOR TO WILLFUL MISCONDUCT... PAYMENTS ARE MADE TO
QUALIFIED VETERANS TO BRING THEIR TOTAL INCOME, INCLUDING
OTHER RETIREMENT OR SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME, TO AN ESTABLISHED
SUPPORT LEVEL.. COUNTABLE INCOME MAY BE REDUCED BY
UNREIMBURSED MEDICAL EXPENSES.
PENSION IS NOT PAYABLE TO THOSE WHO HAVE ASSETS THAT
CAN BE USED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE
MAINTENANCE"… IF YOU THINK YOU ARE QUALIFIED, YOU MAY CONTACT VA OFFICE AT THE U.S. EMBASSY, MANILA...
VA DEATH
PENSION: SURVIVING
SPOUSES AND UNMARRIED
CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18, OR UP TO AGE 23 IF ATTENDING A VA APPROVED SCHOOL OF DECEASED
VETERANS WITH WARTIME SERVICE MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A
NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED PENSION
BASED ON
NEED... THE
VETERAN MUST HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED UNDER CONDITIONS OTHER THAN
DISHONORABLE AND MUST HAVE HAD 90 DAYS OR MORE OF ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE, AT LEAST ONE DAY OF
WHICH WAS DURING A PERIOD OF WAR, OR A SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY
JUSTIFYING DISCHARGE
FOR DISABILITY... IN GENERAL, IF YOUR AMERICAN SPOUSE PASSED AWAY AND DID
NOT LEAVE YOU WITH MEANS
OF SUPPORT, YOU
MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS BENEFIT…
MUST HAVE BEEN MARRIED TO THE VETERAN OVER ONE (1) YEAR/HAVE A
CHILD AS A RESULT OF SUBJECT RELATIONSHIP… IN SIMPLE TERMS; IF YOU ARE A WIDOW(ER) AND NOT
RECEIVING A U.S. GOV’T
CHECK, SEE ME…
VA BENEFITS: IF OVER 65 YEARS OF AGE AND
SERVED HONORABLY DURING A PERIOD OF WAR (DID NOT HAVE TO BE IN
A COMBAT ZONE) AND MEET SERVICE AND INCOME REQUIREMENTS YOU
MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A VA PENSION REGARDLESS OF CURRENT
PHYSICAL CONDITION... IN A NUTSHELL IF YOU MET THE ABOVE
REQUIREMENTS AND ONLY RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS/A SMALL
INCOME LESS THAN THE AMOUNT ESTABLISHED BY CONGRESS YOU SHOULD
CONTACT THE VA... THIS IS NOT A FEW BENEFIT; HOWEVER, WE HAVE
FOUND SOME ELIGIBLE MEMBERS WHO DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS
POLICY….
*
HOW TO APPLY
FOR A VA BENEFITS: “Like all veterans, Vietnam
veterans are eligible for monthly payments, called disability
compensation, from VA if they are suffering with any
service-connected illnesses or injuries. The disability must
have been incurred or aggravated during active military
service. Vietnam
veterans also have special access to disability compensation
for illnesses or injuries related to exposure to Agent Orange
and other herbicides used in Vietnam. Furthermore, the
service of the of the veteran must have been terminated from
military service through separation or discharge under
conditions that were other than dishonorable... Disability
compensation varies according to the degree of disability and
the number of dependents.
Benefits are not subject to Federal or state income
tax. The receipt
of military retirement pay, disability severance pay, and
separation incentive payments known as SSB and VSI (Special
Separation Benefits and Voluntary Separation Incentives) also
affects the amount of VA compensation paid... The disability
ratings range from 0 to 100 percent (in increments of 10
percent). For
example, in 2004, a veteran with a disability rating 10
percent receives $106; a veteran with disability rating of 50
percent gets $646; and a veteran who is totally disabled and
evaluated at 100 percent receives $2, 239 monthly... Veterans
with disability ratings between 30 and 100 percent are also
eligible for monthly allowances for a spouse ranging from %38
to $127, and for each child, $19 to $65. (The amount depends
on the disability rating)... A Veteran who is in need of
regular aid and attendance of another person, or who is
permanently housebound may be entitled to additional benefits. VA must make the
determination before the veteran can get these benefits....
PRESUMPTIVE
SERVICE-CONNECTION – Unlike most
veterans, any veteran who served in Vietnam between January 9,
1962, and May 7, 1975, and has one or more of the diseases on
the list of presumptive conditions that VA maintains must be
presumed by VA to have been exposed to herbicides, and
therefore that his or her disease is service-connected. The current list is
printed and described in the next article... This list and
information about the diseases associated with Agent Orange
are available online at www.va.gov/AgentOrange
MUST APPLY TO BE
CONSIDERED – Compensation is
not automatically given to any veteran. VA veterans service
representatives (VSR) can provide the necessary application
and assist veterans who need help in completing it. VSR’s are located at
all VA Regional Offices, Tel # (02) 528-2500 or
1-800—1-888-5252 FOR
LOCAL VA HELP: VFW
POST 2485; CECIL JOHNSON AND AMERICAN LEGION POST 10; JESSE
FOSTER...
OTHER BENEFITS – In addition to
the compensation program described above, individual veterans
may be eligible for the full range of other benefits offered
by VA, including education and training, vocational
rehabilitation, home loan guarantees, life insurance, pension,
burial benefits, and more...
ILLNESSES
PRESUMPTIVELY SERVICE CONNECTED TO DATE – The following
health conditions are presumptively recognized for service
connection. Vietnam
veterans with one or more of these conditions do not have to
show their illness(es) is (are) related to their military
service to get disability compensation. VA presumes that
their condition is service-connected...
1.
Chloracme (must
occur within 1 year of exposure to Agent Orange).
2.
Non-Hodgkin’s
lymphoma
3.
Soft tissue sarcoma
(other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or
mesothelioma).
4.
Hodgkin’s disease
5.
Multiple myeloma
6.
Respiratory
cancers, including cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and
bronchus (no time limitation).
7.
Prostate cancer
8.
Acute and subacute
transient peripheral neutropathy (must apear within 1 year of
exposure and resolve within 2 years of date of onset).
9.
Type 2 diabetes
10. Chronic lymphocytic
leukemia
CONDITIONS
RECORNIZED IN CHILDREN OF VIETNAM VETERANS –
1.
Spina bifida
(except spine bifida acculta) .
2.
Certain other birth
defects in the children of women Vietnam veterans.” BASIC SOURCE: USAF
VA IMPROVES
VGLI INFORMATION ACCESS: THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HAS ANNOUNCED THAT VETERANS NOW
CAN ACCESS THEIR VETERANS GROUP LIFE INSURANCE ACCOUNTS AT ANY
TIME FROM ANY COMPUTER OR TELEPHONE... USING A SECURE WEBSITE,
THE VGLI ONLINE ACCOUNT ACCESS SYSTEM ALLOWS VETERANS TO
OBTAIN BASIC INFORMATION ON THEIR ACCOUNT THROUGH THE
INSURANCE WEBSITE AT www.insurance.va.gov
... VETERANS CAN VIEW THEIR CURRENT AMOUNT OF COVERAGE,
PREMIUM RATE, AND BILLING METHOD, AS WELL AS CHANGE THEIR
BILLING ADDRESS... IN THE FUTURE, ADDITIONAL ONLINE TOOLS WILL
ALLOW THEM TO CHANGE THEIR METHOD AND FREQUENCY OF PAYMENT..
ALSO AVAILABLE ON VA’s INSURANCE WEBSITE IS A LIFE INSURANCE
CALCULATOR THAT WILL PREDICT THE AMOUNT OF LIFE INSURANCE
NEEDED BASED ON FINANCIAL INFORMATION THE VETERAN PROVIDES...
VETERANS ALSO CAN OBTAIN ACCOUNT INFORMATION BY TELEPHONE
THROUGH A NEW TOLL-FREE VGLI INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE SYSTEM
AT 1-800-419-1473... ARMED
FORCES NEWS
VA PATIENTS
USING PARTICIPATING HOSPITALS: THE VA WILL PAY
VA
CLAIM/MEDICAL QUESTION VIA E-MAIL: THIS APPLIES TO THE
PHILIPPINES ONLY… HEALTH CARE ISSUES: manlopc.inqry@vba.va.gov GREAT SERVICE… HOPE ALL TAKE
ADVANTAGE WHEN YOU HAVE QUESTIONS…
VA QUESTIONS
ANSWERED ELECTRONICALLY: RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING DATA
FROM HQAFPC/DPPT, RAFB, TEX:
THE DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IS NOW ANSWERING
QUESTIONS ELECTRONICALLY ON ITS CUSTOMER SERVICE PAGE
AVAILABLE VIA THE INTERNET (VA HOME PAGE) http://www.va.gov/. INSTRUCTION: POINT AND CLICK ON
“PUTTING VETERANS FIRST.”
TO ASK A QUESTION, POINT AND CLICK ON “CONSUMER AFFAIRS
PAGE” BUTTON.....
TOLL
MyPay IMPROVES
RETIREE, ANNUITANT ELECTRONIC PAY SERVICES: MEMBERS OF THE RETIREE
COMMUNITY CAN ENJOY IMPROVED SERVICES FROM “myPay” TO MANAGE
THEIR PAY ACCOUNT INFORMATION MORE EASILY AND MORE SECURELY
THAN EVER BEFORE.. FORMERLY KNOWN AS E/MSS, myPay WILL ALLOW
RETIREES AND ANNUITANTS AS WELL AS ACTIVE, RESERVE, AND GUARD
MEMBERS AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES TO TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR PAY
ACCOUNTS ON-LINE... THE NEW IMPROVED SERVICE WITH myPay,
CUSTOMERS WILL BE ABLE TO PERFORM THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES BY
SIMPLY USING THEIR EXISTING E/MSS PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER (PIN):
·
VIEW AND PRINT TAX
STATEMENTS
·
CHANGE FEDERAL AND
STATE TAX WITHHOLDINGS
·
UPDATE BANK ACCOUNT
AND ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER INFORMATION
·
MANAGE ALLOTMENTS
·
EDIT ADDRESS
INFORMATION
·
PURCHASE U.S.
SAVINGS BONDS
EASY -- ACCORDING TO
DFAS OFFICIALS, myPay’s NEW DESIGN WILL HELP CUSTOMERS FIND
THE INFORMATION THEY WANT AND COMPLETE ANY TRANSACTION WITH
JUST THREE CLICKS... AVAILABLE NEARLY 24 HOURS A DAY, myPay
WILL MEAN NO WAITING IN LINES OR ON THE PHONE... IT WILL ALSO
IMPROVE CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE BY PROVIDING CLEAR CONFIRMATION
MESSAGES... SECURE
– myPay WILL COMBINE STRONG ENCRYPTION AND SECURE SOCKETS
LAYER TECHNOLOGY WITH THE USER’S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AND
PIN TO SAFEGUARD INFORMATION FROM UN-AUTHORIZED ACCESS,
OFFICIALS EXPLAINED... CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE BEEN USING E/MSS CAN
CONTINUE TO USE THEIR PIN AT http://mypay.dfas.mil
.. MILITARY RETIREES AND ANNUITANTS WHO NEED A NEW PIN SHOULD
GO TO THE WEBSITE AND CLICK ON “Need new PIN?” IT WILL BE SENT
THROUGH THE MAIL... ALL CUSTOMERS WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT myPay
MAY CALL CUSTOMER SUPPORT AT 1 (800) 390-2348, MONDAY THROUGH
FRIDAY BETWEEN 7 A.M AND 7:30 P.M. EASTERN TIME... SOURCE: AFTERBURNERS
DFAS LAUNCHES
MYPAY ENHANCEMENTS: MYPAY ACCESS JUST SEEMS TO
GET BETTER AS TIMES GO ON... ADDED SERVICES:
1.
CAN ASSIGN A
“RESTRICTED ACCESS PIN” TO A DESIGNATED INDIVIDUAL TO VIEW THE
INFORMATION, BUT CANNOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE ALLOTMENTS OR
ACCOUNT INFORMATION...
2.
CAN ADD A PERSONAL
E-MAIL ADDRESS SO USERS ARE NOTIFIED OF PAY CHANGES AND OTHER
ITMES OF INTEREST...
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE
A DFAS PIN YOU CAN REQUEST FROM DFAS BY PHONE, LTR OR BY USING
THEIR INTERACTIVE WEB https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.asp
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE DROP BY OUR OFFICE... THIS IS AVAILABLE
TO ALL MILITARY RETIREES AND ANNUITANTS PLUS ACTIVE DUTY
PEOPLE... DFAS
DFAS MYPAY
USERS:
IF
YOU HAVE A PIN TO ACCESS YOUR DFAS RECORDS YOU WILL NOT
RECEIVE A HARDCOPY OF YOUR 1099R (TAX) OR THE
ANNUAL RETIREE ACCOUNT STATEMENT UNLESS YOU SELECT THE
HARDCOPY OPTION... TO SELECT THE HARDCOPY LOG ON TO MYPAY AND
CLICK YOUR OPTION... ALL MEMBERS SHOULD RECEIVE A SIMILAR
NOTICE FROM DFAS WITH INSTRUCTIONS...
DFAS CAUTIONS
AGAINST LOOK-ALIKE SITES: WHEN ACCESSING MYPAY FOR
THE 1ST TIME BE SURE YOU HAVE THE OFFICIAL DFAS
WEB... APPEARS THAT LOOK-ALIKE SITES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED TO
OBTAIN PERSONAL DATA FROM UNSUSPECTING DFAS CUSTOMERS... THE
DFAS WEB IS http://mypay.dfas.mil
DFAS PIN: IF
YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE INTERACTIVE DFAS WEB
SITE http://emss.dfas.mil
TO CHANGE SELECTED PAY DATA YOU MUST OBTAIN A PIN FROM DFAS…
LOST OR DELAYED
GOV’T CHECKS: SHOULD CONSIDER DIRECT
DEPOSIT INCLUDING INCOME TAX CHECKS OR USE THE FPO SYSTEM IF
YOU STILL DESIRE A CHECK…
IF YOU DO NOT TAKE THIS WARNING SERIOUSLY, DON’T GET
EXCITED THE NEXT TIME YOUR CHECK IS LATE OR MISSING… TO
RESOLVE THIS TYPE OF
PAY PROBLEM, ONE MUST CONTACT DFAS AT (216) 522-5898 OR WRITE
TO DFAS, U.S. MILITARY RETIREMENT PAY, P.O. BOX 7130, LONDON,
KY 40742-7130, TEL # 1 (800)
31-1080 OR FAX # 1 (800) 469-6559… IF YOU CANNOT RESOLVE THE
PROBLEM WITH DFAS, SEE ME…
ALLOTMENTS: NEW POLICY… RETIREES CAN
NOW HAVE SIX DISCRETIONARY ALLOTMENTS WITH A MAXIMUM OF 15
ALLOTMENTS (DISCRETIONARY AND NON-DISCRETIONARY).. YOU CAN WRITE OR FAX
YOUR ALLOTMENT TO DFAS-CL,
BOX 99191, CLEVELAND , OHIO
44199-1126 OR FAX
800-469-6559.. (WE
CAN ACCESS 800 NUMBERS, NOT FREE)... WE HAVE ALLOTMENTS FORMS
AT THE RAO OR YOU CAN WRITE
OUT YOUR REQUEST..
BE SURE TO INCLUDE NAME, SSN, AMOUNT OF ALLOTMENT, WHOM TO SEND TO AND SIGN
YOUR REQUEST…
DEFENSE FINANCE
AND ACCOUNTING CENTER (DFAS): The written
correspondence address change from Cleveland, Ohio, to
London, KY, has created some confusion among members of the
military retiree community and also among members of
agencies trying to assist them. It’s also created a new way
of doing business which hasn’t been fully explained. Here’s how it
works and why:
The
London, KY, address is simply a drop box, a collector of
documents and the staff there, in turn, images the documents
so they can be electronically transmitted to the Defense
Finance and Accounting Service-Cleveland Center. As a result of this
imaging process, it’s more important than previously for a
certain amount of consistency.
We’re going to put this information out every way we
can, but we want you to understand it so you can better help
individuals in your area.
The following are suggestions from this office, not
DFAS, based upon many years' experience with transmittal of
documents:
·
Ensure documents
being sent to the DFAS mail center in Kentucky are standard
size (8.5 by 11 inches); make enlargements or reductions when
necessary before mailing them;
SOURCE: USAF RAO
PROGRAM LETTER, 14 ARPIL 2003...
DFAS
CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS:
NEED FOR ALL TO CONSIDER
HAVING AN FPO ADDRESS FOR YOUR DFAS CORRESPONDENCE… HAVE MANY
PROBLEMS IN DELIVERY OF SERVICE PUBLICATIONS (EXAMPLE
AFTERBURNER, SHIFT COLORS, ARMY ECHOES, ETC.) VIA/THE LOCAL
POSTAL SYSTEM… IN ADDITION MANY OF THE 1099R FORMS DID NOT
MAKE IT TO THE INTENDED RECIPIENT AND WE HAD TO REQUEST
DUPLICATE COPIES… OUR LOCAL MAIL IS GETTING MORE RELIABLE;
HOWEVER, THERE IS A LIMITED NUMBER OF LINES THAT PUBLICATIONS
LIKE THE AFTERBURNER CAN USE (ANY ADDRESS OVER THREE LINES IS
OMITTED)… IF YOU ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO USE A LOCAL ADDRESS,
PLEASE KEEP THE CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS TO THREE LINES IF
POSSIBLE… WE CAN CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS WITH DFAS AT THE RAO ON
REQUEST… ALSO DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR PAY GOING DIRECT
DEPOSIT BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR… WE CAN SPEED UP THE
PROCESSING TIME IF YOU WILL PROVIDE US A COMPLETED COPY OF
YOUR DIRECT DEPOSIT APPLICATION (DFAS ONLY)…
DFAS CLEVELAND
SUPPORT: WE REQUESTED THAT DFAS
ALLOW US SPECIAL ACCESS TO RESOLVE PAY PROBLEMS FOR OUR
MEMBERS HERE IN
THE PHILIPPINES.. THEY AGREED TO
PROVIDE US DATA ON A PRIORITY BASIS VIA FAX/TEL FOR ANY PAY
PROBLEM THAT CANNOT BE RESOLVED BY THE
INDIVIDUAL VIA NORMAL CHANNELS..
IF YOU HAVE AN URGENT PAY PROBLEMS AND CANNOT RESOLVE
IT, SEE ME AT THE RAO. DFAS ADVISED THAT WE
SHOULD DO OUR PART TO INSURE ALL DATA PROVIDED TO DFAS IS
CORRECT SUCH AS CORRESPONDENCE/DIRECT DEPOSIT/CHECK
ADDRESSES... IN
OTHER WORDS, DFAS CANNOT HELP IF THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO
CONTACT OR WHERE TO SEND YOUR
PAY… THEY ALSO REQUESTED THAT ALL OUR MEMBERS CONSIDER DIRECT
DEPOSIT WHICH WOULD ELIMINATE
MOST PROBLEMS... IF
YOU STILL INSIST ON A CHECK, I SUGGEST YOU USE THE FPO. THE ADDRESS DATA
BELOW SHOULD BE USED WHEN CONTACTING DFAS:
PAY/CORRESPONDENCE
CHANGES: TELEPHONE
NO. 1-800-321-1080
DFAS
FAX NO.
1-800-469-6559
E-MAIL: dfas_cleveland@cleveland.dfas.mil
U.S. MILITARY RETIREMENT PAY
YOU CAN USE CHECKMARK FOR 800 ACCESS IF A
CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
P.O. BOX 7130
CHANGE MARK ENVELOPE
“CHANGE OF ADDRESS” /ALLOTMENT /1099R /PAY
LONDON, KY 40742-7130
INQUIRY INDICATE AT LEFT BOTTOM SECTION OF ENVELOPE. THIS WILL
SPEED UP YOUR REQUEST..
ALL SBP MATTERS:
DFAS
TELEPHONE NO. 1
(800) 321-1080
U.S. MILITARY ANNUITANT PAY
FAX NO.
1 (800) 982-8459
P. O. BOX 7131
LONDON, KY 40742-7131
NON-ANNUITANTS: SEND ADDRESS CHANGE REQUEST
TO HQ AFPC/DPPRAR, 550 C STREET WEST STE 11, RANDOLPH AFB TX 78150-4713
BANK
BENEFICIARY SIMPLIFIED: A VERY LARGE PERCENTAGE OF
OUR RETIREES HAVE USED BANK OF COMMERCE, BALIBAGO FOR BANKING
SERVICES SINCE BEFORE CLARK AIR BASE CLOSED AND THEY HAVE NOW
ADDED A SIMPLIFIED BENEFICIARY DESIGNEE(S) FORM.... AS MOST
MAY BE AWARE IF YOU HAVE MONEY IN A BANK AND HAVE NOT
APPOINTED A BENEFICIARY OR HAVE A WILL YOUR FUNDS MAY NOT GO
TO THE PERSON YOU DESIRE AT TIME OF DEATH... IF YOU ALREADY
HAVE A JOINT ACCOUNT, THIS FORM IS NOT REQUIRED; HOEVER, IF
YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON LISTED ON YOUR BANK ACCOUNT, I WOULD
HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU COMPLETE A BENEFICIARY FORM... WE HELPED
BANK OF COMMERCE DEVELOP THIS SIMPLIFIED BENEFICIARY FORM AND UNDERSTAND SOME OF
THE OTHER LOCAL BANKS HERE HAVE OR CONSIDERING A SIMILAR
FORM... LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF A REAL PROBLEM THAT
OCCURRED PRIOR TO THIS BENEFICIARY FORM BEING IMPLEMENTED... A
GOOD FRIEND OF MINE HAD OVER $50,000.00 IN A BANK AND WANTED
TO LEAVE THE MONEY TO HIS LIVE-IN PARTNER OF OVER 20 YEARS AND
NEVER GOT AROUND TO MAKING ARRANGEMENTS DUE TO THE PAPERWORK
INVOLVED... ONCE HE PASSED AWAY HIS LIVE IN PARTRNER WAS LEFT
WITHOUT ANY FUNDS OR MEANS OF SUPPORT AND TOO OLD TO DANCE...
WITH THIS NEW SYSTEM YOUR BENEFICIARY CAN BE DESIGNATED WITHIN
A FEW MINUTES AND HOPEFULLY THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WILL NOT BE
REPEATED...
BANK LOANS IN
THE PHILIPPINES: WE’VE HAD SEVERAL INQUIRES
CONCERNING PURCHASE OF CARS
& REAL PROPERTY IN THE PHILIPPINES… IF ONE CANNOT
PAY CASH OR OBTAIN FUNDS OUTSIDE OF THE PHILIPPINES, THIS IS
NOT RECOMMENDED… INTEREST RATES HERE ARE HIGH… GOOD PLACE FOR
SAVINGS BUT NOT FOR LOANS… EXCEPTION: OUR LOCAL FORD
DEALER WILL GIVE FAVORABLE RATES…
DIRECT DEPOSIT IN THE
PHILIPPINES: WE
HAVE AROUND 15 DIRECT DEPOSIT BANKS IN THE PHILIPPINES AND YOU
ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE U.S. DOLLAR ACCOUNT WHICH IS GREAT;
HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT WITHOUT LIMITATIONS... EXAMPLE; THE
DIRECT DEPOSIT ACCOUNT CANNOT BE JOINT AND YOU CANNOT WRITE
DOLLAR CHECKS UNLESS YOU MAINTAIN A MINIMUM BALANCE OF
$2,000.00 UP DEPENDING ON THE BANK... THERE ARE MANY BENEFITS
TO KEEPING YOUR STATESIDE CREDIT UNION/BANK WHICH ARE NOT
AVAILABLE HERE AND I RECOMMEND YOU KEEP THE ACCOUNTS... ANYONE
CAN OPEN A REGULAR U.S. DOLLAR ACCOUNT HERE AND MOST BANKS
WILL ACCEPT U.S. PERSONAL CHECKS TO OPEN ACCOUNTS... THE ONLY
DRAW BACK IS A 21
WORKING DAYS CLEARING TIME EVEN THOUGH MOST CHECKS CLEAR
WITHIN 7 DAYS... EVEN WITH THIS INCONVENIENCE, THE LOCAL
SYSTEM CAN WORK VERY WELL; ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS WRITE YOUR FIRST
CHECK FOR A TWO MONTHS SUPPLY OF MONEY AND WHEN YOU HAVE USED
HALF OF THE FUNDS DEPOSITED, WRITE ANOTHER CHECK TO REPLACE
THE WITHDRAWN FUNDS... THIS WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH CLEARED
MONEY FOR NORMAL USE PLUS ADDITIONAL CLEARED FUNDS FOR
EMERGENCIES... SEE ME FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
LOCAL BANKS: GET
A LOT O
WESTERN UNION
FINANCIAL SERVICES: IF
YOU NEED TO RECEIVE EMERGENCY FUNDS, YOU CAN DO SO AT DATACOM
(TEL OFFICE) IN DAU OR THE ANGELES CITY TEL OFFICE NEAR THE
ABACAN BRIDGE... YOU
GET YOUR MONEY ON THE SPOT ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION I AM
RECEIVING... COST IS RATHER PAINLESS CONSIDERING THE SERVICE
RENDERED... NOTE: CANNOT
SEND FUND INT’L; HOWEVER, DOMESTIC SERVICE IS AVAILABLE…
WESTERN UNION IN DOWNTOWN ANGELES IS LOCATED AT AMGLO
BLDG., RIZAL COR. JESUS ST., ANGELES CITY PHONE # (63 45) 322 8570
AND AT THE ARCADE ON THE CORNER OF FIELDS AVE. & MCARTHUR
HIGHWAY, BALIBAGO, ANGELES CITY…
TRAVELERS’
CHECKS: NOT
RECOMMENDED FOR THE PHILIPPINES.. MOST BANKS AND HOTELS WILL
NOT ACCEPT TRAVELERS CHECKS AND THE ONES THAT DO GIVE AN
UNFAVORABLE EXCHANGE RATE... SUGGEST YOU USE ATM CARDS WHEN
TRAVELING IN THE PHILIPPINES... IF YOU BRING EXTRA CASH, MOST
HOTELS HAVE SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES AVAILABLE FOR MONEY/OTHER
VALUABLE ASSETS... S.M. MALL IN THE SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA
WILL ACCEPT TRAVELERS CHECK WITH PROPER ID…
DEBIT
CARDS/SHARE CHECK/PLASTIC CHECK: THIS IS SOME OF THE TERMS
THAT STATESIDE BANKS USE FOR YOU TO ACCESS YOUR CHECKING
ACCOUNT... RECOMMEND THAT ANYONE WITH A STATESIDE BANK ACCOUNT
ASK YOUR BANK FOR THIS CARD IF YOU DON’T HAVE ALREADY... THIS
IS ONE OF THE MOST INEXPENSIVE WAY OF OBTAINING FUNDS IN A
FOREIGN COUNTRY ON DEMAND WITHOUT WAITING WEEKS FOR YOUR CHECK
TO CLEAR... MOST STATESIDE BANKS ONLY CHARGE YOUR ACCOUNT
$1.00 PER TRANSACTION AND EQUITABLE/PCI BANK LOCATED AT PURE
GOLD ON CLARK FIELD PROVIDES THIS SERVICE FOR OUR AREA... LOT
LESS EXPENSIVE THAN ATM CARDS...
CREDIT CARDS: THIS IS A EXCELLENT MEANS
OF TRANSACTING BUSINESS IF USED CORRECTLY... THE “USED
CORRECTLY” TERM IS USUALLY THE PROBLEM... CREDIT CARD INTEREST
RATES VARY FROM BANK TO BANK AND ARE USUALLY IN THE 9-24% RANGE WITH
9% BEING PRETTY
GOOD AND 24% BEING
VERY EXPENSIVE... MOST CREDIT CARDS OFFER ZERO INTEREST FOR
THE FIRST 30 DAYS AND IF ALL POSSIBLE PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE
IN FULL DURING THIS GRACE PERIOD... HAD ONE RETIREE TO CONTACT
ME CONCERNING A CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT THAT EXCEEDED $10,000.00
AND HIS INTEREST WAS OVER $250.00 PER MONTH... HE COULD NOT
AFFORD TO PAY OVER $250.00 MONTHLY AND AT THAT RATE, THE BILL
WOULD BE “EVERLASTING” OR AT LEAST UNTIL HIS FUNERAL... BE
CAREFUL WITH CREDIT CARDS OR THE ONLY OUT OTHER THAN DEATH MAY
BE BANKRUPTCY WHICH DOES NOT HELP YOUR CREDIT RATING...
CASHING SAVING
BONDS IN COUNTRIES WITHOUT A U.S.
CASHING BONDS
ON BEHALF OF A CHILD: Can I cash bonds registered
in my daughter's name if: (1) I'm not named as co-owner, or
(2) I'm listed as the beneficiary and my daughter is living? Yes, if the
child is too young to sign the request for payment and
understand the transaction, payment can be made to either
parent with whom the minor lives (or to whom legal custody has
been granted). The request would be made on the back of the
bond as follows: "I
certify that I am the parent of Jane Doe with whom Jane Doe
resides (or to whom legal custody has been granted). She is
___ years old and is not of sufficient understanding to make
this request. John Doe on behalf of Jane Doe" Local
financial institutions that redeem savings bonds can pay bonds
in the circumstances outlined above. When a local institution
is unwilling to use this optional authority to redeem bonds,
the signature of the person requesting redemption can be
guaranteed or certified at a bank or financial institution,
and the bond is sent to the nearest Federal Reserve Bank that
handles savings bonds. Note:
If your child is old enough to understand the transaction and
sign the request for payment, she can cash the bond herself if
she provides the required identification. If a child's
name is the primary name on a savings bond and a parent is the
secondary name on the bond, can the parent redeem that bond
solely? Yes,
assuming the bonds are in the child's and parent's names as
co-owners, such as, "John Doe, Jr. OR John Doe, Sr." www.savingsbonds.gov
CONVERTING
PAPER U.S. SAVING BONDS TO ELECTRONIC SECURITIES: “U.S.
Saving Bonds owners with Treasury Direct electronic account
will now have the options of converting any paper Series E,
Series EE and Series I bonds they hold to equivalent
electronic securities through the Bureau of the Public Debt’s
Smart Exchange program. Individual
owners of Treasury Direct accounts are beginning to receive
invitations to trade in their paper E, EE or I bonds for
conversion tot electronic securities... Smart Exchange is
initially operating on an invitation-only basis to ensure that
the conversion process is completed in as timely a fashion
possible... According to Van Zeck, Commissioner of the Public
Debt, “Exchanging paper for electronic securities marks
another step in moving savings bonds from a paper-based,
labor-intensive program to an all-electronic product... Bond
owners who take advantage of Smart Exchange may have all their
savings securities, whether originally bought in paper or
electronic form, in a single account that can be accessed at
any time, day r night.” Owners
of paper savings bonds will not be required to trade in their
securities, but may choose to do so once they have opened a
Treasury Direct account and have received an invitation to
submit bonds for conversion... Account may be opened online by
going to Public Debt’s Web site www.treasurydirect.gov...
Account
holders may buy and redeem electronic Series EE and I bonds
using Treasury Direct, as well as manage their holdings – 24
hours a day, 7 days a week – over the Internet... Later this
year, Public Debt plans to begin offering marketable bills,
notes and TIPS through Treasury Direct, providing account
holders the flexibility to directly hold and manage a wide
range of Treasury securities in a Treasury Direct account...
Public Debt is initially inviting a limited number of current
Treasury Direct
account holders to exchange their paper for electronic
securities... To ensure that customers are not without access
to their bonds for an extended period of time, Public Debt
will extend additional invitations to account holders at a
pace that supports timely processing... There are more than
300,000 current Treasury Direct accounts with approximately
2,500 new accounts being opened weekly.”
S O S: DO
YOU REMEMBER ALL THE GRIPPING IN THE CHOW LINE ABOUT THAT S O
S AGAIN.. GUESS WHAT IS THE
CLARK PX STORES
(DUTY FREE): YES WE
CAN SHOP AT ALL DUTY FREE STORE ON CLARK... CANNOT GET MUCH
BETTER... WHEN I FIRST HEARD THIS, I THOUGHT COL. MURPHY WAS
BACK IN THE AREA… FOR
THOSE WHO DON’T REMEMBER COL. MURPHY, HE WAS THE GUY THAT GAVE
US COMMISSARY & PX PRIVILEGES ON CLARK PLUS A LOT MORE… HE
IS NOW A RETIREE ALSO….
SPACE A: WE HAVE
BEEN BLESSED WITH A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF SPACE-A AND EXPECT
THE TREND TO CONTINUE... AS MOST ARE AWARE WE DO NOT HAVE A
TERMINAL FOR YOU TO WAIT AT ANYMORE; HOWEVER, WE HAVE A BETTER
SYSTEM; TEXT MESSAGES AND E-MAIL... AUTHORIZED MEMBERS ARE
ALLOWED TO SIGN UP VIA E-MAIL
clrkmilasstgrp@hotmail.com OR CEL PHONE # 0917 924 7284 AND
WILL RECEIVE AUTOMATIC UPDATES VIA YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS/TEXT
MESSAGE... ALSO REF OUR WEB www2.mozcom.com/~rao_cabr
AND CLICK ON SPACE A FOR ADDITIONAL DATA... RETIRED LIFE IN
THE PHILIPPINES JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER...
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 AND A COPY OF THE
NEW SPACE A BOOK... COST IS $25.00 PLUS $3.00 SHIPPING &
HANDLING FEE... AIR FORCE RETIREE NEWS...
ARMED FORCES
RETIREMENT HOME GOES ON THE WEB AT http://www.afrh.com: YOU CAN
OBTAIN THEIR HOMEPAGE AT THE ABOVE WEB OR YOU CAN CALL THE
NAVAL HOME AT 1-800-332-3527 OR USSAH AT 1-800-442-9988. 800 NUMBERS ARE NOT
FREE OUTSIDE THE U..S.
ARMED FORCES
RETIREMENT HOME: NEW
GUIDELINES – SEE
ATTACHMENT #7 WEBSITE www2.mozcom.com/~rao_cabr...
U.S. MILITARY
ENLISTMENT: MUST
BE BETWEEN 17-34 YEARS OF AGE, GOOD HEALTH, HIGH SCHOOL GRAD
OR HIGHER, AMERICAN CITIZEN OR GREEN CARD HOLDER… THE U.S.
MILITARY SCREENING TEST FOR THE USAF, ARMY & NAVY IS GIVEN
AT OUR RAO AT 0945 HRS ON THE SECOND AND FORTH SATURDAY OF
EACH MONTH… WILL NEED TO SEE YOUR U.S. PASSPORT/GREEN CARD AND
SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT... WE HAVE OVER ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND
AMERICANS LIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES AND I WOULD APPRECIATE
YOUR HELP IN GETTING THE WORD OUT…
ARMED SERVICES
VOCATIONAL APTITUDE BATTERY (ASVAB): IF
YOU ARE AN AMERICAN CITIZEN OR CURRENT GREEN CARD HOLDER AND
WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE U.S. MILITARY, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU
REVIEW THE ASVAB GUIDE... THE BOOKS SELL FOR $19.95 IN THE
UNITED STATES; HOWEVER, WE HAVE A MASTER CD-ROM AND WILL MAKE
YOU A COPY FREE; HOWEVER, YOU MUST PROVIDE THE BLANK CD (SEE
US FOR CD SPECIFICATIONS)... REMINDER: WE TEST ON THE 2ND
AND 4TH SAT OF EACH MONTH AT 0945 HRS... CAN ALSO
REVIEW ON WEB www.march2juccess.com
LOCATING AIR
FORCE/NAVY RETIREES/ACTIVE DUTY MEMBERS: THE AIR FORCE MAY NOT
RELEASE HOME OR OVERSEAS ADDRESSES BUT WILL FORWARD A PERSONAL
LETTER… SEAL YOUR LETTER IN A STAMPED ENVELOPE… ENTER YOUR
RETURN ADDRESS (INCLUDING RETIRED GRADE) AND SEND YOUR LETTER
AND ADDRESSEES NAME, GRADE AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR
SERVICE NUMBER IN ANOTHER ENVELOPE TO: AFPC/MSIMDL, 550 C STREET
WEST STE 50 RANDOLPH AFB TX 78150-4752... (IF THE
ADDRESSEE’S SSN/SN IS NOT AVAILABLE, THE LOCATOR NEEDS THE
MOST RECENT AIR FORCE BASE ASSIGNMENTS/DATES, ETC TO HELP
LOCATE ADDRESS)… FOR A REPLY ABOUT THE STATUS OF YOUR LETTER
PROVIDE A STAMPED SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE. LOCATOR SERVICE –
FREE TO RETIREES – IS LIMITED TO ONE ADDRESS PER REQUEST… NAVY
IS THE SAME PROCEDURE EXCEPT USA… NAVY ADDRESS: COMMANDING OFFICER NRPC
(CODE N33) 4400 DAUPHINE STREET NEW ORLEANS, LA 70149 7800… MARINE CORPS ADD: HQ MARINE CORPS CMC
(MMSR-6) 3280 RUSSELL ROAD QUANTICO, VA 22134... COAST GUARD ADD: COMMANDING OFFICER (RAS)
COAST GUARD HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES AND INFORMATION CENTER
444 S.E. QUINCY STREET TOPEKA, KS 66683-3591…
NOTE: THE U.S. ARMY DOES
NOT PROVIDE THIS SERVICE ANYMORE (REF ARMY ECHOES).
APPLICATION
RULES CHANGE FOR AIR FORCE CIVIL SERVICE POSITIONS: APPLICANTS
CAN ACCESS THE NEW “JOB KIT” AT https://ww2.afpc.randoph.af.mil/resweb
THOSE WITHOUT COMPUTER, ACCESS CAN SEND RESUM’E AND
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA TO HQ AFPC/DPCTDC, ATTN: RECRUITMENT CALL
CENTER, 550 C STREET WEST SUITE 57, RANDOLPH AFB TX 78150-4759...
AFPC/DPPR
WEB SITE: IF YOU
WOULD LIKE TO FIND AN USAF RAO ADDRESS TO INCLUDE AN
INTERACTIVE E-MAIL/WEB SITE JUST CLICK ON WEB www.afpc.randolph.af.mil AND CLICK RETIREE
NEWS… THIS WEB ALSO HAS A GREAT DEAL OF VERY IMPORTANT
INFORMATION FOR RETIREES AND THOSE WHO ARE ABOUT TO RETIRE/RAO
ADDRESSES/ETC…
ACTIVE DUTY
PERSONNEL (PHILIPPINES): WHEN
ENROLLED IN TRICARE PACIFIC PRIME, YOUR MEDICAL BENEFITS
COVERS YOU WHEREEVER YOU TRAVEL OVERSEAS.... IF YOU REQUIRE
EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE WHILE ON LEAVE OR DEPLOYMENT, WHILE IN
THE PHILIPPINES, YOU CAN OBTAIN TREATMENT VIA INT’L SOS BY
CALLING (02) 637-0707... ISOS PROVIDES A CASHLESS AND
CLAIMLESS SERVICE FOR ALL ACTIVE DUTY IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC
COUNTRIES... ACTIVE DUTY FAMILY MEMBERS MAY ALSO USE THE
SERVICE BUT THEY MUST PAY UP-FRONT AND CONTACT THEIR SERVICING
TRICARE SERVICE CENTER TO ASSIST THEM IN FILING THEIR CLAIM
(WHEN YOU GET BACK TO YOUR BASE)... PLEASE NOTE IF YOU MUST
PAY ISOS (UP-FRONT) FOR YOUR MEDICAL SERVICE IT CAN BE MORE
EXPENSIVE THAN LOCAL CLINIC/S/HOSPITALS...
FINAL PERMANENT
CHANGE OF STATION (PSC): SEEMS
LIKE A LOT OF OUR OLE TIMERS HAS BEEN TRANSFERRING TO THE
CLARK CEMETERY LATELY AND WE HOPE TO MAKE THE TRANSFER LESS
STRESSFUL FOR THOSE REMAINING... FIRST, EVERYONE USUALLY NEED
A WILL AND WE HAVE AN ATTORNEY ON RETAINER WHOM CAN HELP... IF
YOU TRY AND WRITE YOUR OWN WILL OR NOT HAVE ONE, CHANCES ARE
YOUR ASSETS WILL NOT BE DISTRIBUTED AS YOU WOULD HAVE
DESIRED... HAVING BENEFICIARY FOR YOUR BANKS ACCOUNTS WOULD
ALSO HELP OR SOME BANKS OFFER A “PEFERRED” JOINT BANK ACCOUNT
WHICH WILL ALLOW YOU TO CONTROL YOUR BANK ACCOUNT WHILE HAVING
THE OTHER PERSON TO REQUIRE TWO SIGNATURES (YOURS &
HER/HIS)... ONCE DECEASE THIS PERSON WOULD HAVE TOTAL CONTROL
OF YOUR BANK ACCOUNT WHICH WOULD HELP CONSIDERABLE UNTIL
BENEFITS (IF ANY) ARE BEING PAID (SOMETIME UP TO SIX
MONTHS).... SHOULD ALWAYS PLAN ON HAVING AT LEAST $1,100.00
FOR YOUR FUNERAL (MINIMUM COST FOR A DECENT FUNERAL)... IF
YOUR BANK DOES NOT OFFER THE ABOVE SERVICE (BANKING) SEE ME
AND I WILL RECOMMEND BANKS THAT WILL HELP...
FORMS: IF
YOU NEED USAF OR DD FORMS, WE HAVE THESE ON OUR COMPUTER AND CAN RUN YOU A COPY UPON REQUEST.... AS USUAL, WE NORMALLY HAVE IRS FORMS AROUND THE FIRST OF JAN...
STATE TAX FORMS: IF
YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR STATE TAX FORMS, THESE CAN BE DOWNLOADED
FROM WEBSITE http://www.sisterstate.com/
www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/forms_pubs/ftaframes….
COLD WAR
RECOGNITION CERTIFICATE: IF YOU
SERVED BETWEEN SEPT 2, 1945 AND DEC 26, 1991, YOU ARE
ELIGIBLE… WILL NEED A COPY OF YOUR 214/WD AGO FORM 53-55/OATH
OFFICE/RE-ENLISTMENT CONTRACT (DD FORM 4)… ANY ONE OF THESE
DOCUMENTS IS SUFFICIENT TO QUALIFY… CHECK WEBSITE http://147.103.18.232/sampletter OR ORDER BY MAIL (SAMPLE LETTER ATCH)
SEE WEBSITE www2.mozcom.com/~rao_cabr ATTACHMENT # 10)...
IRS CERTI
IRS PUBLICATION
915: IF YOU
ARE A CURRENT GREEN CARD HOLDER AND 30% WITHOLDING TAX IS
BEING TAKEN OUT OF YOUR U.S. SSA BENEFITS, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO
RECOVER YOUR MONEY AND HAVE THE TAX DISCONTINUED... IRS PUB
915 TAX IS QUOTED FOR YOUR INFORMATION... “Lawful permanent
residents. For
U.S. income tax purposes, lawful permanent residents (green
card holders) are considered resident aliens until their
lawful permanent resident status under the immigration laws is
either taken away or is administratively or judicially
determined to have been abandoned. Social security
benefits paid to a green card holder are not subject to 30%
withholding. If
you are a green card holder and tax was withheld in error on
your social security benefits because you have a foreign
address, the withholding tax is refundable by the Social
Security Administration (SSA) or the IRS. SSA will refund
taxes erroneously withheld if the refund can be processed
during the same calendar year in which the tax was withheld. If SSA cannot refund
the taxes withheld, you must file a Form 1040 or 1040A with
the Internal Revenue Service Center, Philadelphia, PA 19255 to determine
if you are entitled to a refund.
You must also attach the following information to your
Form 1040 or 1040A;
¨
A copy of the Form
SSA-1042S, Social Security Benefit Statement.
¨
A copy of the
“green card,” and
¨
A signed
declaration that includes the following statements:
The SSA should not
have withheld federal income tax from my social security
benefits because I am a U.S. lawful permanent resident and my
green card has been neither revoked nor administratively or
judicially determined to have been abandoned. I am filing a U.S.
income tax return for the tax year as a resident alien
reporting all of my worldwide income. I have not claimed
benefits for the tax year under an income tax treaty as a
nonresident alien.”
1040NR FILERS: IF YOU
ARE RECEIVING SBP, THE TAX TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES
AND THE PHILIPPINES ALLOWS FOR 30% OF THE TOTAL BE DEDUCTED AS
NONREFUNDABLE TAXES; ULESS YOU HAVE A VALID GREEN CARD, MET
THE SUBSTANTIAL PRESENCE TEST OR FIRST YEAR CHOICE FILER...
THE ONLY WAY TO CHANGE THIS TAX LAW I S TO COMPLAIN TO YOUR
CONGRESS (RP)… OVERSEAS FILERS HAVE UNTIL 15 JUN 2000 TO FILE
UNLESS ONE OWES IRS…
CORRECT
CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS: DURING
EVERY TAX SEASON THERE ARE MEMBERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE 1099’S
AND THIS IS PRIMARILY DUE TO AN INCORRECT ADDRESS... SHOULD
KEEP THE AGENCY THAT YOU RECEIVE PAYMENT FROM INFORMED OF YOUR
CORRECT CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS FOR SEVERAL REASONS: ONE, IF YOU DO NOT
REPLY TO INQUIRIES, YOUR PAY COULD BE STOPPED AND OF COURSE
YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE YOUR END OF YEAR TAX DATA AND PAY
UPDATES...
LEGAL: BEFORE
YOU DECIDE TO GIVE ANYONE A “POWER OF ATTORNEY”, SIGN A
CONTRACT, APPOINT SOMEONE AS AN
“ATTORNEY-IN-FACT” OR OTHER DOCUMENTS GIVING ANOTHER
PERSON/BUSINESS AUTHORITY TO ACT ON YOUR BEHALF, YOU SHOULD
CONSULT AN ATTORNEY AND ASK YOURSELF IF YOU WOULD TRUST THIS
PERSON WITH A JOINT BANK ACCOUNT… IF THE ANSWER IS NO, MAYBE
YOU SHOULD RECONSIDER YOUR PLANS… IF YOU DECIDE ON A POWER OF
ATTORNEY, THE AUTHORITY SHOULD BE LIMITED TO A SPECIFIC
ACTION… A FULL OR GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY SHOULD NOT BE
GRANTED EXCEPT WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY AND YOU SHOULD
CONSULT AN ATTORNEY FIRST… ATTORNEY-IN-FACT CLAUSES ARE USED A
LOT IN THIS COUNTRY AND WILL FIND IN LEASE AGREEMENTS,
CONTRACTS, ETC AND SHOULD CROSS OUT IF POSSIBLE… THIS GIVES
THE PERSON AUTHORITY TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS WITHOUT FURTHER
APPROVAL FROM YOU OR WITHOUT FOLLOWING THE DUE PROCESS OF LAW…
IN GENERAL, YOU SHOULD NEVER GIVE ANYONE OR A BUSINESS
AUTHORITY TO SIGN OR USE YOUR NAME UNLESS YOU WOULD TRUST THEM
ON A JOINT BANK ACCOUNT… THIS ALSO APPLIES TO CHAMPUS/TRICARE
CLAIMS BECAUSE YOU ALONE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENTS…
JUST A REMINDER ON PROPER USE OF CHAMPUS/TRICARE STANDARD – COST SHARE: “WHENEVER YOU
ARE USING THE BENEFITS YOU MUST PAY YOUR COST SHARE, NO ONE
CAN WAIVE THIS PAYMENT SINCE THIS IS A MATTER OF LAW… IF YOU
BREAK THIS LAW YOU CAN LOSE YOUR RIGHT TO USE THE BENEFIT… IN
ADDITION, THE INSTITUTION OR PROVIDER WAIVING YOUR COST SHARE
CAN LOSE THEIR ABILITY TO RECEIVE PAYMENT FROM CHAMPUS… THE
BOTTOM LINE IS YOU CAN BE LEFT WITH NOTHING BY TRYING TO SAVE
A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS”… SOURCE CAPT KRIER, CHIEF OF TRICARE
HAFB… WE KEEP RECEIVING HORROR STORIES ABOUT LAND PURCHASES IN
THE PI... IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO PURCHASED LAND, BE SURE TO
HAVE THE TITLE RESEARCHED... SHOULD HAVE AN ATTORNEY ON
RETAINER IF POSSIBLE TO LOOK AT ANY MAJOR PURCHASE/LEASE AND
FOR CONSULTATION ON OTHER MATTERS THAT PERTAIN TO LAW... WE
HAVE A GOOD LAW FIRM ON RETAINER THAT YOU CAN USE OR I CAN RECOMMEND SOME
WITH A GOOD TRACK RECORD... BEING YOUR OWN LAWYER IS NOT A
GOOD POLICY. NOT
LIKE BEING YOUR OWN PHYSICIAN (HARD TO SEE ON THE BACKSIDE)...
LEGAL (MY
INTERPRETATION): PRIOR
TO MARRIAGE IN THE PHILIPPINES, YOU NEED TO REVIEW YOUR
ASSETS… ONCE
MARRIED, FIFTY PERCENT OF YOUR ASSETS WILL BELONG TO YOUR
SPOUSE… PRIOR TO
THE CONTRACT MARRIAGE, YOU ARE ALLOWED TO EXCEPT ANY/ALL
ASSETS UP TO THE DATE OF MARRIAGE… DIVORCE IN THE PHILIPPINES
IS NOT PERMITTED; HOWEVER, ANNULMENTS AND DIVORCE OUTSIDE OF
THE PHILIPPINES IS LEGAL…
SEPARATION IS LEGAL; HOWEVER, USUALLY ALL ASSETS MAY BE
SPLIT 50:50 AT THAT
TIME… A WILL IS A MUST IF YOU ARE MARRIED TO FILIPINO CITIZEN
OR YOU MAY END UP NOT OWNING
PROPERTY THAT YOU PAID FOR… THE FOREIGN SPOUSE
IS ALLOWED TO INHERIT LAND FROM THE FILIPINO SPOUSE AND MAY
KEEP OR SELL TO A
FILIPINO CITIZEN… WITHOUT
A WILL, THIS IS DIFFERENT STORY…
LEGAL OFFICE: GUESS
WE ALL MISS OUR BASE LEGAL OFFICER WHEN WE HAVE QUESTIONS
ABOUT WILLS, LIVING TRUST OR PROBATE QUESTIONS... FOUND A VERY
GOOD ARTICLE WRITTEN BY THE MCCONNELL AFB, KS LEGAL OFFICE AND
HOPE THAT WILL ANSWER SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS... DON’T FORGET
THAT WE HAVE AN ATTORNEY ON RETAINER TO HELP WITH LOCAL LEGAL
PROBLEMS... “LEGAL
OFFICE” MCCONNELL AFB KS RAO,
JUL 01: Living Trust
Offers—How to Make Sure
They’re Trust-worthy. You’ve worked hard for you money, and
made every attempt to be a conscientious saver. So it’s only
natural that you want some control over what happens to your
assets in the event of your death. At the very least, you
probably want to minimize or avoid potential hassles and
headaches for your loved ones. Estate planning deals with what
happens to your assets after you die. Even if you are a person
of modest means, you have an estate--- and several strategies
to choose from to make sure that your assets are distributed
as you wish and in a timely way. The right strategies depend
on your individual circumstances. That is, what is best for
your neighbor might not make the most sense for you.
Misinformation and misunderstanding about estate taxes and the
length or complexity of probate provide the perfect cover for
scam artists who have created an industry out of older
people’s fear that their estates could be eaten up by costs or
that the distribution of their assets could be delayed for
years. Some unscrupulous businesses are advertising seminars
on living trusts or sending postcards inviting consumers to
call for in-home appointments to learn whether a living trust
is right for them. In these cases, it’s not uncommon for the
salesperson to exaggerate the benefits or the appropriateness
of the living trust and claim – falsely — that locally
licensed lawyers will prepare the documents. Other businesses
are advertising living trust “kits”: consumers send money for
these do-it-yourself products,
but receive nothing in return. Still other businesses are
using estate-planning services to gain access to consumer’s
financial information and to sell them other financial
products, such as insurance annuities. What’s a consumer to
do? It’s true that from some people, a living trust can be a
useful and practical tool. But for others, it can be a waste
of money and time. What is a living trust, anyway, and how
does it differ from a will? Who should you trust when it comes
to estate planning? And how can you tell which tools and
strategies will work best for your particular circumstances?
The Federal Trade Commission, the government agency that works
to prevent fraud, deception and unfair business practices in
the marketplace, says that it helps to learn the terms that
are used in this aspect of financial planning before you begin
conversations about it. For example: Probate is a legal
process that usually involves filing a deceased person’s will
with the local probate court, taking an inventory and getting
appraisals of the deceased’s property, paying all legal debts,
and eventually distributing the remaining assets and property.
This process can be costly and time consuming. Many states
have simplified probate for estates below a certain amount,
but that amount varies among states. If an estate meets the
state’s requirements for “expedited” or “unsupervised”
probate, the process is faster and less costly. A Trust is a legal
arrangement where one person (the “grantor”) gives control of
his property to a trust, which is administered by a “trustee”
for the “beneficiary’s” benefit. The grantor, trustee and
beneficiary may be the same person. The grantor names a
successor trustee in the event of incapacitation or death, as
well as successor beneficiaries. A Living trust, created
while you’re alive, lets you control the distribution of your
estate. You transfer ownership of your property and your
assets into the trust. You can serve as the trustee or you can
select a person or an institution to be the trustee. If you’re
the trustee, you will have to name a successor trustee to
distribute the assets at your death. The advantage of a living
trust? Properly drafted and executed, it can avoid probate
because the trust owns the assets, not the deceased. Only
property in the deceased’s name must go through probate. The
downside? Poorly drawn or unfunded trusts can cost you money
and endanger your best intentions. A will is a legal
document that dictates how to distribute your property after
your death. If you don’t have a will, you die intestate, and the
law of your state determines what happens to your estate and
your minor children. The probate court governs this process. A
living trust is
different from a living
will. A living
will expresses your wishes about being kept alive if
you’re terminally ill or seriously injured. And, the FTC
advises, proceed with caution. Because state laws and
requirements vary, “cookie-cutter” approaches to estate
planning aren’t always the most efficient way to handle your
affairs. Before you sign any papers to create a will, a living
trust, or any other kind of trust: explore all your options
with an experienced and licensed estate planning attorney or
financial advisor. Generally, state law requires that an
attorney draft the trust. Avoid high-pressure sales tactics
and high-speed sales pitches by anyone who is selling estate
planning tools or arrangements. Avoid salespeople who give the
impression that AARP is selling or endorsing their products.
AARP does not endorse any living trust product. Do your
homework. Get information about your local probate laws from
the Clerk (or Register) of Wills. If you opt for a living
trust, make sure it’s properly funded --- that is, that the
property has been transferred from your name to the trust. If
the transfers aren’t done properly, the trust will be invalid
and the state will determine who inherits your property and
serves as guardian for your minor children. If someone tries
to sell you a living trust, ask if the seller is an attorney.
Some states limit the sale of living trust services to
attorneys. Remember the
Cooling off Rule.
If you buy a living trust in your home or somewhere other
than the seller’s permanent place of business (say, at a hotel
seminar), the seller must give you a written statement of your
right to cancel the deal within three business days. The
Cooling Off Rule provides that during the sales transaction,
the salesperson must give you two copies of a cancellation
form (one for you to keep and one to return to the company)
and a copy of your contract or receipt the contract or receipt
must be dated, show the name and address of the seller, and
explain your right to cancel. You can write a letter and
exercise your right to cancel within three days, even if you
don’t receive a cancellation form. You do not have to give a
reason for canceling. Stopping payment on your check if you do
cancel in these circumstances is a good idea. If you pay by
credit card and the seller does not credit your account after
you cancel, you can dispute the charge with the credit card
issuer. Check out the organization with the Better Business
Bureau in your state or the state where the organization is
located before you send any money for any product or service.
Although this is prudent, it is not foolproof: there may be no
record of complaints if an organization is too new or has
changed its name.” AARP:
1-800-424-3410; www.aarp.org.
Ask for a copy of Product
Report: Wills & Living Trusts. AARP does not sell or
endorse living trust products. The American Bar
Association, Service Center, 541 N. Fairbanks CT.,
Chicago, IL. 60611; 312-988-5522; www.abanet.org/publiced/publicpubs.html.
Council of Better
Business Bureaus, Inc., 4200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 800,
Arlington, VA 22203-1838; 703-276-0100; www.bbb.org. The National Academy of
Elder Law Attorneys, Inc., 1604 North Country Club Rd.,
Tucson, AZ 85716; 520-881-4005; www.naela.org. The National Consumer
Law Center, Inc., 18 Tremont St., Ste. 400, Boston, MA
02108-2336; 617-523-8010; www.consumerlaw.org.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent,
deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and
to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid
them. To file a com-plaint, or to get free information on any
of 150 consumers topics, call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP
(1-877-382-4357), or use the online complaint form.
The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and
other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel,
a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and
criminal law enforcement agencies U.S. and abroad. The
preceding article was obtained from the Federal Trade
Commissions public website at www.FTC.gov.
LEGAL CORNER: IF YOU
ARE GOING TO MAKE A BIG-TICKET PURCHASE SUCH AS A HOUSE OR
VEHICLE; HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT WITH AN ATTORNEY PRIOR TO ANY MONEY
TRANSACTION.. CAN
BE SAVE YOU A LOT OF PAIN LATER... YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOU ARE
RECEIVING A CLEAR TITLE
AND IF THERE ARE
ANY LIENS OR IF THAT PERSON REALLY
OWNS THE PROPERTY... YOU
MAY BE SURPRISED AT SOME OF
THE THINGS PEOPLE TRY TO
PULL.. ALSO
WHEN YOU PURCHASE A SECOND-HAND ITEM LIKE A FRIG, STOVE, BED,
BICYCLE, ETC., BE SURE TO GET A BILL OF SALE WITH THE PERSONS
TAX ACCOUNT NUMBER AND LOOK AT HIS/HER ID... BETTER TO BE SAFE
THAN GET STUCK WITH STOLEN GOODS... DROP BY THE OFFICE WHEN IN
DOUBT OR CHECK WITH YOUR SERVICE ORGANIZATION
COMMANDER/PRESIDENT...
LIVING WILL: SEVERAL
OF OUR RETIREES ARE HERE WITHOUT FAMILY AND MANY DO NOT HAVE
CLOSE RELATIVES IN THE STATES.
THIS CREATES A PROBLEM WHEN YOU GO TO THAT "BIG HANGER
IN THE SKY"… I
HAVE BEEN ADVISED, THAT ACCORDING TO PHILIPPINE LAW; THAT A
CLEAR HAND WRITTEN WILL IN YOUR OWN HAND WRITING IS LEGAL FOR
HOW MUCH MEDICAL TREATMENT YOU DESIRE AND HOW YOUR REMAINS
WILL BE HANDLED; HOWEVER, I RECOMMEND AN ATTORNEY TO INSURE
THAT YOUR INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE FOLLOWED... WE HAVE A RAO
ATTORNEY ON RETAINER OR CAN RECOMMEND ONE IF YOU SO DESIRE….
RAO ATTORNEY ON
RETAINER: IF YOU
HAVE LEGAL PROBLEM WE HAVE AN ATTORNEY ON RETAINER THAT CAN
SAVE YOU A FEW BUCK (50%
DISCOUNT)... OUR ATTORNEY IS ALSO ON THE U.S. EMBASSY
RECOMMENDED LIST... WE’VE HAD THIS SERVICE ESTABLISHED FOR
ABOUT TEN YEARS AND AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST... ALSO TRYING TO
WORK OUT AN ATTORNEY ON CALL SYSTEM FOR ALL EXPATS AND THIS IS
PRESENTLY BEING COORDINATED... THIS SERVICE WOULD BE AVAILABLE
ON A 24/7 BASIS AND EACH MEMBER WOULD HAVE A 24HR NUMBER TO
CALL IF LEGAL ASSISTANCE WAS REQUIRED... EXAMPLE: “The police stopped
you for a traffic violation that you thought was not justified
you could use your cell phone to contact your attorney and he
could discuss the matter with the cop or if the police wanted
to search your property, the same could apply... Appears to be
a good program and if we can find sufficient interest the cost
would be minimal.” THIS
WOULD APPLY TO INDIVIDUALS ONLY AND NOT BUSINESS…
PHILIPPINE
FAMILY CODE CHANGE: A NEW
LAW (REPUBLIC ACT NO.
9255) HAS BEEN PASSED BY THE PHILIPPINE CONGRESS
ALLOWING ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN TO USE THE SURNAME OF THEIR
FATHER (BEFORE ONLY THE SURNAME OF THE MOTHER COULD BE
USED)... LAW IS EFFECTIVE AS OF JUNE 2004... UNDER
THIS LAW, THE CHILD MAY USE THE SURNAME OF HIS OR HER FATHER
IF THE FATHER SHALL EXECUTE AN AFFIDAVIT OF AUTHORITY TO USE
HIS SURNAME...
PHILIPPINE
REPUBLIC ACT 9048: THIS ACT
ALLOWS FOR CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL/CLERICAL ERRORS TO
INCLUDE FIRST NAME CHANGES AT THE CIVIL REGISTER (WHERE
ORIGINALLY REGISTERED) WITHOUT A COURT ORDER... THIS PROCEDURE
ELIMINATES THE EXPENSIVE & TIME CONSUMING PROCESS THAT WAS
PREVIOUSLY REQUIRED:
WHAT IS REPUBLIC ACT
9048? Republic
Act (RA) 9048 authorizes the city or municipal civil registrar
or the consul general to correct a clerical or typographical
error in an entry and/or change the first name or nickname in
the civil register without need of a judicial order.. RA 9048
amends Articles 376 and 412 of the Civil Code of the
Philippines, which prohibit the change of name or surname of a
person, or any correction or change of entry in a civil
register without a judicial order.. President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo approved the act on 22 March 2001. With the law taking
effect on 22 April 2001 the Civil Registrar-General
promulgated Administrative Order No.1 Series of 2001, which
was published in the newspaper in August that year.
WHAT CORRECTIONS
CAN BE MADE BY RA 9048?
RA 9048 allows
these corrections:
·
Correction of
clerical or typographical errors in any entry in civil
registry documents, except corrections involving the
change in sex, age, nationality and status of a person. (A
clerical or typographical error refers to an obvious mistake
committed in clerical work, either in writing, copying,
transcribing, or typing an entry in the civil register that is
harmless and innocuous, such as a misspelled name or
misspelled place of birth and the like, and can be corrected
or changed only by reference to other existing record or
records.)
·
Change of a
person’s first name in his/her civil registry document under
certain grounds specified under the law through administrative
process.
1.
The petitioner
finds the first name or nickname to be ridiculous, tainted
with dishonor or extremely difficult to write or pronounce;
2.
The new first name
or nickname has been habitually and continuously used by the
petitioner and he has been publicly known by that first name
or nickname in the community; or,
3.
The change will
avoid confusion.
WHO MAY FILE THE
PETITION? Whether it is for
correction of clerical or typographical error, or for change
of first name, the petition may be filed by a person of legal
age who must have a direct and personal interest in the
correction of the error or in the change of first name in the
civil register. A
person is considered of legal age when he is eighteen years
old and above. Thus,
a minor (less than eighteen years old) cannot by himself file
a petition, either for correction of clerical or typographical
error or for change of his first name. Only the
following persons are considered to have a direct and personal
interest in the correction of clerical error or change of
first name:
1.
Owner of the record
that contains the error to be corrected or first name to be
changed.
2.
Owner’s spouse,
children, parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, guardian,
or any other person duly authorized by law or by the owner of
the document sought to be corrected.
¨
Merits of the
petition
¨
Competency of the
petitioner
¨
Erroneous entry to
be corrected and proposed correction; first name to be changed
and the proposed new first name
WHAT SUPPORTING
DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR CORRECTING A CLERICAL OR
TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR IN A CIVIL REGISTRY DOCUMENT? The petition shall
not be processed unless the petitioner supports it with the
required documents. The
supporting documents should be authentic and genuine,
otherwise, the petition shall be denied or disapproved
pursuant to Rule 5.8 of Administrative Order No. 1, S. 2001. The following
supporting documents are admissible as basic requirements:
1.
Certified machine
copy of the certificate containing the alleged erroneous entry
or entries.
2.
Not less than 2
public or private documents upon which the correction shall be
based. Examples
of these documents are the following: baptismal
certificate, voter’s, affidavit, employment record, GSIS/SSS
record, medical record, school record, business record,
driver’s license, insurance, land titles, certificate of land
transfer, bank passbook, NBI/police clearance, civil registry
records, descendants, and others.
3.
Notice and
Certificate or posting
4.
Certified machine
copy of the Official Receipt of the filing fee.
5.
Other documents as
may be required by the City/Municipal Civil Registrar (C/MCR)
WHAT ARE THE
SUPPORTING PAPERS FOR CHANGE OF FIRST NAME? As in the case of
correction of clerical error, no petition for change of first
name shall be accepted unless the petitioner submits the
required supporting papers, as follows:
1.
All the documents
required of the petitioner for the correction of clerical
error shall also be required of the petitioner for change of
first name.
2.
Clearance from
authorities such as clearance from employer, if employed; the
National Bureau of Investigation; the Philippine National
Police; and other clearances as may be required by the
concerned C/MCR.
3.
Proof of
Publication. An
affidavit of publication from the publisher and copy of the
newspaper clippings should be attached.
HOW MUCH IS THE
FEE IN FILING A PETITION? The C/MCR and
the District/Circuit Registrar (D/CR) are authorized to
collect from every petitioner the following rates of filing
fees:
¨
One thousand pesos
(P1,000.00) for the correction of clerical error.
¨
Three thousand
pesos (P3,000.00) for the change of first time.
In the case of a
petition filed with the Consul General (CG), the fees are the
same for all Philippine Consulates. The fees are the
following:
¨
Fifty U.S. dollars
($50.00) for the correction of clerical or typographical
error.
¨
One hundred fifty
U,S. Dollars ($150.00) for the change of first name.
A migrant petitioner
shall pay an additional service fee to the Petition Receiving
Civil Registrar (PRCR). This
service fee shall accrue to the local treasury of the PRCR.
¨
Five hundred pesos
(P500.00) for correction of
clerical or typographical error.
¨
One thousand pesos
(P1,000.00) for change of first name.
WHERE SHOULD THE
PETITION BE FILED? The general rule is
that petition shall be filed with the Local Civil Registry
Office (LCRO) where the record containing the clerical error
to be corrected or first name to be changed is kept. Included in this in
this general rule is the case of the Office of the Clerk of
Shari’a Court where records of divorces, revocations of
divorces, conversions to Islam are kept and where some Muslim
marriages are registered.
However, in case the petitioner is a migrant, within or
outside the Philippines, meaning his present residence or
domicile is different from where his civil registry record or
records are registered, he may file the petition in the
nearest LCRO in his area.
His petition will be treated as a migrant petition.
|
Tune in to CENSUS
SERBILIS SA HIMPAPAWID, the regular NSO segment over
DZRB-Radyo ng Bayan (738 KHz) every Saturday from 6:15-7:00
AM.
*
PHILIPPINE
PASSPORTS REQUIREMENTS: I
PASSPORT
REQUIREMENTS
*
Personal Appearance is required.
* Duly
accomplished application form.
* Birth Certificate (Bc) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by
the National Statistics Office (NSO) or Certified True Copy
(CTC) of BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly
authenticated by NSO.
* Proof of identity/ Supporting documents indicating full
name, date and place of birth and citizenship
* Other Supporting documents
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
*
* Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper issued by NSO or
Certified True Copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly
authenticated by NSO.
*
If already widowed: Death Certificate of the deceased husband;
* If marriage is annulled: Certified true copy and photocopy
of the first page and the dispositive portion of the judgment
on annulment and NSO-issued MC with the annotation on the
annulment decree;
*If divorced: Certified true copy and photocopy of the first
page and the dispositive portion of the judgment on divorce
secured by foreign spouse authenticated by the Philippine
Embassy or Consulate where the divorce is obtained.
*
Personal appearance of their parent (if minor is of legitimate
status).
* Personal appearance of mother (if minor is of
illegitimate status)
If
minor
is NOT traveling with either parent:
*
Original and photocopy of DSWD Clearance
* Affidavit of Support and Consent
If both parents are abroad:
*
Affidavit of support and consent (must be authenticated by the
nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General if not
executed before a Consul).
* Special Power of Attorney (must be authenticated by the
nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General if not
executed before a Consul designating the representative by
name and authorizing him to apply for a passport on behalf of
the minor).
* Passport and photocopy of the passport of the traveling
companion of the minor.
* Identification Card and photocopy thereof of the duly
authorized person.
*
Please refer to requirements for first time passport
applicants.
* Late
registered Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA)
issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO)
* Original and photocopy of Voter's Affidavit or other
supporting documents indicating date and place of birth and
citizenship, identity and tribal affiliation.
* Certificate from the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA)
ADDRESS
D
OIC: ASUNCION N.
Location Address: City Central TrTerminal (CCTT) Lazatin
Blvd., Corner Olongapo-Gapan Road
San Juan, City of San
Telephone Contact Numbers: (045) 961-6175 (temporary)
Email Address: pampanga@dfa.gov.ph
LOCAL VITAL
STATISTICS DOCUMENTS & ERRORS: SEVERAL
OF OUR MEMBERS HAVE FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY THAT ERRORS ON
BIRTH CERTIFICATES, MARRIAGE CONTRACTS AND DEATH CERTIFICATES
CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE AND TIME CONSUMING… DATES AND SPELLING
ON BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND MARRIAGE CONTRACTS SEEMS TO BE MOST
OF THE PROBLEMS WHILE NATIONALITY SEEMS TO BE THE MAJOR
PROBLEM IN DEATH CERTIFICATES… NEED TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO
DETAILS BEFORE THESE DOCUMENTS ARE SUBMITTED TO THE REGISTRAR
FOR PERMANENT RECORDS… THE U.S. EMBASSY, MANILA WILL NOT
ACCEPT DOCUMENTS WILL ERRORS AND IT’S USUALLY A WASTE OF TIME & MONEY
TRAVELING TO MANILA UNTIL CORRECTED…
MILITARY
RECORDS: IF
YOU WERE PREVIOUSLY TOLD THAT YOUR MILITARY RECORDS WERE
DESTROYED IN THE 1973 FIRE, MANY DUPLICATE RECORDS HAVE BEEN
FOUND... CONTACT US FOR APPLICATION FORMS… (LLAFB)...
ON LINE
PERSONNEL RECORD REQUEST (ALMOST): THE
FOLLOWING DATA EXPLAINS HOW WE CAN GET COPIES OF OUR MILITARY
RECORDS; HOWEVER, ONCE YOU PULL UP THE WEB SITE, YOU STILL
MUST DOWNLOAD A SIGNATURE FORM, SIGN AND MAIL OR FAX TO THE
RECORDS CENTER... RECOMMEND YOU FAX... THE FAX NUMBER AND
ADDRESS WILL BE PRINTED OUT AUTOMATICALLY WHEN YOU DOWNLOAD
THE SIGNATURE FORM...
“Military veterans
and the next of kin of deceased former military members may
now request copies of military personnel records online from
the National Personnel Records Center. The new Web-based
application was designed to provide better service on these
requests by eliminating records mailroom processing time.
Also, because the requester will be asked to supply all
information essential for NPRC to process the request, delays
that normally occur when NPRC has to ask veterans for
additional information will be minimized. Veterans and next of
kin (a surviving spouse that has not remarried, father,
mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother) may access the
application at http://vetrecs.archives.gov. (There is no
requirement to type "www" in front of the web address.)
Individuals, other than veterans or next of kin, with a need
for documents must still complete the Standard Form 180 which
can be downloaded from the site.”
NEED A COPY OF
YOUR DD FORM 214??? YOU
WILL SOONER LATER… MUST
HAVE A DD FORM 214 WHEN YOU REQUEST AN ID CARD, SOCIAL SECURITY, VA
BENEFITS AND WE EVEN
NEED A COPY WHEN YOU PASS ON…
SEND YOUR REQUEST TO:
NPRC/NCPMF-C, 9700 PAGE
BLVD. ST. LOUIS, MO 63132-5000.... A SIGNED
REQUEST WITH FULL NAME, RETIRED GRADE, SSAN AND AN EXPLANATION OF YOUR
NEEDS (BRIEF)… SUGGEST YOU REQUEST A COPY OF
ALL YOUR DD FORM 214'S....
IF YOU
RECEIVE VA DISABILITY, A COPY MAY BE ON FILE AT THE VA OFFICE AT THE
U.S. EMBASSY, MANILA... FORMS
TO REQUEST MILITARY RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE RAO.....
BIRTH
CERTIFICATE: GOING
TO NEED ONE WHEN YOU APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AT THE EMBASSY… MUST BE A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY/RAISED SEAL
(NOT A XEROX)... WE
HAVE THE ADDRESS LIST OF VITAL RECORD OFFICES BY
STATE/TERRITORY AND COST PER
COPY.. DROP
BY THE RAO ON YOUR DAY OFF....
EMBASSY
HOLIDAYS: BEFORE
GOING TO THE EMBASSY, BEST TO LOOK AT YOUR CALENDAR… OF COURSE, THE
EMBASSY IS CLOSED ON AMERICAN HOLIDAYS; HOWEVER, THEY ARE ALSO
CLOSED ON PHILIPPINE NATIONAL HOLIDAYS… THE HOURS AT THE
EMBASSY RE FROM 0730 TO 1630 HRS DAILY MON THRU FRI; HOWEVER,
BEST NOT TO WAIT NEAR CLOSING TIME TO CONDUCT BUSINESS OR YOU
MAY BE INSTRUCTED TO COME BACK THE NEXT DUTY DAY… WE HAVE COMMON USE
EMBASSY FORMS AT THE RAO OR YOU CAN CALL THE EMBASSY AND THEY
WILL MAIL UNLESS THERE IS A REQUIREMENT TO COMPLETE THE FORM
IN THEIR PRESENCE…
U.S. EMBASSY,
MANILA: REF
THE U.S. EMBASSY ATCH...
BEEN A LOT OF CHANGES CONCERNING PASSPORTS RENEWAL, REPORT OF
BIRTH ABROAD, ADDITIONAL PAGES FOR YOU PASSPORT AND COST...
PLEASE REVIEW AND KEEP THIS NEWSLETTER FOR FUTURE REFERENCE...
U.S. EMBASSY
REGISTRATION MADE EASY: “THE
STATE DEPARTMENT RECENTLY LAUNCHED A NEW AND MUCH IMPROVED
CONSULAR WEBSITE, HTTPS://TRAVELREGISTRATION.STATE.GOV. THE WEBSITE'S
APPEARANCE, USABILITY AND FUNCTIONALITY HAVE ALL BEEN
ENHANCED, AND IT HAS IMPROVED ORGANIZATION AND AVIGATIONAL
TOOLS TO HELP USERS FIND INFORMATION MORE QUICKLY AND
ACCURATELY. AN
IMPORTANT NEW FUNCTION IS SECURE ONLINE TRAVEL REGISTRATION
WHICH WILL ALLOW YOU, AS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN, TO RECORD
FOREIGN TRIP AND RESIDENCE INFORMATION THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF
STATE CAN USE TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU AND ASSIST YOU IN CASE
OF AN EMERGENCY. U.S.
CITIZENS AROUND THE WORLD WHO TRAVEL OR RESIDE ABROAD CAN
ACCESS THIS SITE EITHER THROUGH A LINK ON TRAVEL.STATE.GOV, OR
DIRECTLY, AT HTTPS://TRAVELREGISTRATION.STATE.GOV. WE INVITE YOU TO
REGISTER YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY AND GET ACQUAINTED WITH
TRAVEL REGISTRATION. THE
NEW INTERNET TRAVEL REGISTRATION SERVICE FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS
ALLOWS YOU TO REGISTER AND UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION ON
THE INTERNET AT ANY TIME, MAKING IT EASIER FOR YOU TO KEEP
YOUR INFORMATION CURRENT. THE SITE ALSO PROVIDES YOU WITH
UP-TO-DATE TRAVEL INFORMATION CUSTOMIZED TO YOUR UNIQUE TRAVEL
AGENDA AND ITINERARY. THE DATA YOU PROVIDE IS SECURED BEHIND
DEPARTMENT OF STATE FIREWALLS, ACCESSED ONLY BY CLEARED
PERSONNEL IN EMBASSIES, CONSULATES, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF
STATE, AND RELEASABLE ONLY WITH YOUR PERMISSION UNDER THE
PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVACY ACT.
PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW YOU LIKE THE NEW SITE. IF YOU
ENCOUNTER ANY DIFFICULTIES OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR
TRAVEL REGISTRATION WEBSITE, PLEASE SEND AN E-MAIL TO
CAIBRS@STATE.GOV. IF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR
REGISTRATION WITH THIS EMBASSY PLEASE CONTACT US acsinfomanila@state.gov “
U.S.
EMBASSY, MANILA WEBSITE http://manila.usembassy.gov THIS WEB
HAS ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EMBASSY SERVICES
FROM VISAS TO SECURITY CONDITIONS... RECOMMEND YOU CHECK THIS
WEB ON A REGULAR BASIS...
U.S. EMBASSY
WARDEN: I AM ALSO THE
AREA EMBASSY WARDEN… IF
YOU NEED PASSPORT FORMS, NEWBORN DATA, EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE OR GENERAL QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE U.S.
EMBASSY, JUST DROP BY THE RAO... I MAY BE ABLE SAVE YOU A LOT OF TIME AND HEADACHES... CONTINGENCY PLAN: IN EVENT THERE IS AN
EMERGENCY IN THIS AREA (NATURAL OR MAN MADE), KEEP TUNED TO
CABLE TV CH 3 FOR UPDATES… THIS DATA WILL ALSO
BE POSTED AT EACH SERVICE ORGANIZATION, MAIL ROOM (FPO) AND THE RAO... DON'T FORGET TO COMPLETE A LOCATOR CARD
AT THE RAO (ALL AMERICAN CITIZENS). ALSO HAVE A FAX THAT
YOU CAN USE TO RECEIVE EMERGENCY DATA FROM
FAMILY/FRIENDS... FAX
NO. (63-45)888-5079
& (63-45)888-2748 IS OPERATIONAL 24 HRS PER DAY... FAX'S ARE OPERATED
BY THE RAO/U.S. EMBASSY WARDEN AND ALL DATA IS HANDLED IAW THE U.S. PRIVACY ACT...
VISA DATA FOR AMERICANS MOVING TO THE PHILIPPINES: IF YOU ARE MARRIED TO A FILIPINA/O, YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE PI EMBASSY/CONSULATE FOR A 13 SERIES VISA AT LEAST TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO YOUR DEPARTURE… YOU CAN OBTAIN THIS VISA FOR APPROXIMATELY $150.00 AND WILL ONLY BE REQUIRED TO REGISTER ANNUALLY… THIS VISA IS ALSO VALID FOR SCHOOLS/WORK. SHOULD YOU WAIT UNTIL ARRIVAL, THE COST & TIME WILL BE CONSIDERABLY MORE. IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR VA EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS & PLAN TO ATTEND SCHOOL HERE, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR VA REPRESENTATIVE… WE HAVE FOUR VA APPROVED SCHOOLS HERE IN ANGELES CITY PLUS MANY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES… SHOULD YOU ARRIVE IN THE COUNTRY WITHOUT A VISA, YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO STAY 21 DAYS OR MUST RENEW THE VISA AFTER 15 DAYS... BEST TO SEE ME UPON ARRIVAL... YOU CAN ALSO OBTAIN A TOURIST VISA AT ANY PI EMBASSY/CONSULATE; HOWEVER, UNLIKE THE 21 DAYS AUTO VISA, THERE WILL BE A
COST… IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON SHIPPING A VEHICLE/HOUSEHOLD GOODS, THIS SHOULD
BE DISCUSSED WITH THE PI CONSULATE/EMBASSY...
U.S. CONSULAR
AGENT, CEBU FAX NO. (032) 231 0174; TEL. (032) 231-1261: IF YOU LIVE
NEAR CEBU, YOU MAY NOT NEED TO COME TO MANILA TO CONDUCT U.S.
EMBASSY BUSINESS; JUST GO TO THE WATERFRONT HOTEL, CEBU CITY,
6200... MOST
AMERICAN CITIZEN SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE EXCEPT VISAS BETWEEN
THE HOURS OF 08:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. DAILY EXCEPT HOLIDAYS...
A
APPLICATION FOR
A MARRIAGE CONTRACT: NEED TO
SEE “LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR” PROVIDE A COPY OF THE AFFIDAVIT OF
LEGAL CAPACITY AND IDENTIFICATION… IF THE FILIPINA/O IS
UNDER TWENTY ONE YEARS OF AGE, THE PARENTS WILL NEED TO BE
PRESENT/LETTER OF CONSENT…
IF UNDER TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF AGE, PARENTAL ADVICE IS
REQUIRED… THEN, YOU WILL HAVE A TEN DAY WAIT UNTIL A
JUDGEMENT/PRIEST CAN PERFORM THE CEREMONY… NOW YOU ARE OWN YOUR OWN…
MARRIAGE IN THE
PHILIPPINES: WE GET A
LOT OF E-MAIL AND QUESTIONS ON MARRIAGE & VISA
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHILIPPINES… HOPE THE FOLLOWING
WILL BE HELPFUL… WHEN
ONE STEPS OFF AIRPLANE/SHIP/GANDOLA, ONES FIRST OBSERVATION
WILL USUALLY FOCUS ON ALL THE BEAUTIFUL FILIPINAS AND OUR
ISLAND PARADISE… AFTER A
FEW WEEKS, ONE USUALLY DECIDES TO STAY OR TAKE PART OF
PARADISE UPON DEPARTURE… IF YOU DECIDE TO MARRY A FILIPINA/O,
THERE ARE A FEW THINGS ONE SHOULD KNOW AND A VISIT TO OUR
OFFICE WOULD BE A GOOD START…
PREMARITAL (PRE
NUPTIAL) AGREEMENT: IF
YOU/YOUR FUTURE SPOUSE ARE INTERESTED IN A PREMARITAL
AGREEMENT TO PROTECT YOUR ASSETS, THIS IS AUTHORIZED IN THE
PHILIPPINES… OUR ATTORNEY ON RETAINER OR ANY OTHER LAW OFFICE
CAN PREPARE THE LEGAL AGREEMENT… COST IS AROUND $30.00 OR LESS
AND COULD SAVE YOU A BUNDLE IN CASE EVERYTHING DOES NOT WORK
OUT AS PLANNED… WOULD LIKE ALL OUR RETIREES/AMERICAN CITIZENS
TO DROP BY THE OFFICE FOR A BRIEFING ON CONTRACT MARRIAGE
PROCEDURES IN THE PHILIPPINES AND TO DISCUSS THE ADDITIONAL
BENEFITS THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR NEW FAMILY (SS, VA,
DOD, IRS, VISA DATA, ETC.)…
INTERNET
CONNECTIONS: MANY MORE
PLAYERS TO SELECT FROM, COST IS DECREASING AND SERVICE IS
IMPROVING... NOTHING LIKE COMPETITION... SHOULD SHOP AROUND,
DECIDE IF YOU NEED A HIGH SPEED CABLE OR ROUTINE SERVICE AND
SELECT THE ONE THAT BEST FITS YOUR BUDGET/NEEDS...
INTERNET
DIVORCES: THE U.S.
EMBASSY, MANILA ADVISED US TO INFORM THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY
THAT DIVORCES THAT ARE OBTAINED VIA THE NET MAY NOT BE
LEGAL... ALSO REFERRED SPECIFICALLY TO MEXICAN & DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC DIVORCES WHICH MAY COST $1,000.00 OR MORE... THE U.S.
EMBASSY RECOMMENDED THAT ANYONE INTERESTED IN OBTAINING A
DIVORCE, WHEATHER IN THE UNITED STATES OR ELSEHWERE, SHOULD
SEEK A LAWYER WITH WHOM THEY CAN SPEAK PERSONALLY AND NOT RELY
SOLELY ON E-MAIL EXCHANGES OR ONLINE INFORMATION... REF http://www.internetfraud.usdoj.gov/
IN A NUTSHELL, UNLESS YOU GO THROUGH DUE PROCESS YOUR DIVORCE
MAY NOT BE LEGAL... SHOULD ALSO BE AWARE THAT A DIVORCE ALONE
DOES NOT ELIMINATE YOU FROM CIVIL CLAIMS BY YOUR FORMER SPOUSE
UNLESS STIPULATED IN THE DIVORCE DECREE OR OTHER LEGAL
DOCUMENTS... HINDSIGHT
WISDOM: BEST
NOT TO SIGN A LIFETIME CONTRACT UNLESS YOU ARE 100%+ SURE..
POSSIBLE EXCEPTION; IF OBEDIENT, GOOD LOOKING, GREAT COOK, AND
A PHYSICAL THERAPHY GRAD/EQUIVALENT A SECOND EVALUATION MAY BE
NECESSARY...
PETITION FOR
ALIEN FIANCÉ(E): IF YOU
ARE IN THE PHILIPPINES OR OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTRY, YOU CAN
PETITION YOUR FIANCÉ THROUGH INS (IMMIGRATION AND
NATURALIZATION SERVICE)…
THIS CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED VIA THE MANILA EMBASSY… IF APPROVED BY INS
AND THE MANILA EMBASSY, YOUR FUTURE SPOUSE WILL BE ABLE TO
TRAVEL IN ABOUT FOUR MONTHS…
YOU HAVE THREE MONTHS FROM HER/HIS ARRIVAL DATE TO GET
MARRIED OR HE/SHE MUST RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES…
COMMAND
SPONSORED DEPENDENTS WITHOUT U.S. PASSPORT (PHILIPPINES
ONLY): WE
GET A LOT OF QUESTIONS FROM ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL THROUGHOUT
THE GLOBE CONCERNING HOW TO GET THEIR FILIPINA BRIDE A VISA…
IF YOU HAVE YOUR DEPENDENTS ON ORDERS AS COMMAND SPONSORED, A
LETTER OF “INTENT” FROM THE COMMANDER WOULD BE SUFFICIENT…
STEP TWO WOULD BE FOR HER TO TAKE THE ORDERS-LTR TO THE
EMBASSY/CONSULATE CONCERNED AND REQUEST A VISA… SHE WILL NEED
A PI PASSPORT, PASSPORT PHOTOS, ENDORSED ORDERS AND THE VISA
ISSUING EMBASSY WILL ADVISE OF THEIR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
WHICH USUALLY CONSIST OF A MEDICAL EXAM AND POLICE REPORT;
HOWEVER, THIS CAN VARY DEPENDING ON THE EMBASSY CONCERNED… IF
THE NEW BRIDE IS NOT ENROLLED IN DEERS, THE SPONSOR SHOULD
CONTACT HIS PERSONNEL FLIGHT/OFFICE AN REQUEST DEERS
ENROLLMENT… ONCE THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED, MAIL THE ORIGINAL COPY
TO THE BRIDE AND SHE WILL BE ENTITLED TRICARE STANDARD MEDICAL
CARE WHILE IN THE PHILIPPINES… UPON ARRIVAL AT YOUR BASE, AN
ID CARD CAN BE OBTAINED OR IF DESIRED EARLIER HAVE HER TO MAIL
YOU A NOTARIZED 8X10 COLOR PHOTO (HEAD & SHOULDERS) WITH
HER SIGNATURE, WEIGHT, HEIGHT, COLOR OF EYES AND HAIR ON THE
REVERSE SIDE OF THE PHOTO... TAKE TOYOUR PERSONNEL
FLIGHT/SECTION UPON RECEIPT AND THEY WILL ISSUE THE ID...
COMMAND SPONSORED REFERS TO FOREINERS ONLY...
TOURIST: WELCOME
TO ANGELES CITY, (PARADISE).... EVEN IN PARADISE, WE NEED TO
TAKE SOME PREVENTIVE MEDICINE PRECAUTIONS: WATER: BEST NOT TO
DRINK TAP WATER... BOTTLED
WATER IS AVAILABLE AT ALL SUPERMARKETS, MOST HOTELS,
RESTAURANTS , BARS AND DON’T FORGET THAT ICE IS ONLY AS PURE
AS THE WATER.. FOOD: SHOULD STAY AWAY
FROM THE STREET VENDERS EXCEPT FOR FRESH FRUITS WHICH SHOULD
BE WASHED... THE
FOOD IN HOTELS & RESTAURANTS HERE IN ANGELES CITY IS
REASONABLY SAFE... WE
ALSO HAVE A VFW, AMERICAN LEGIONS, THE RUMPA, DOG HOUSE
WHICH SERVE GOOD AMERICAN STYLE FOOD... BARS: IF YOU ARE GOING TO
PARTY, HAVE A BALL BUT DON’T FORGET YOUR SOCIAL HYGIENE
TRAINING AND SHOULD BE OFF THE STREETS BEFORE 2 A.M….
NON-IMMGIRANT
VISA (TOURIST): RE
DUAL
CITIZENSHIP: FORMER
FILIPINOS ARE ALLOWED TO OBTAIN DUAL CITIZENSHIP AT PHILIPPINE
IMMGRATIONS, MANILA/PI CONSULATES-EMBASSIES... REF WEB www.philcongenla.org
FOR LOCATION OF CONSULATES/EMBASSIES... WILL NEED AN NSO COPY
OF YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE NSO
OFFICE, QUEZON CITY OR VIA WEB www.e-census.com.ph
OR NATURALIZATION PAPERS PLUS YOUR U.S. PASSPORT... MINORS
HERE IN THE PI WHOM HAVE A FILIPINO PARENT ARE ALLOWED TO
APPLY FOR A PHILIPINE PASSPORT AT THE DEPT. OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
(DFA HERE ON CLARK FIELDS/OTHER DFA OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE
PHILIPPINES... ONCE THE CHILD HAS THE PHILIPPINE AND U.S.
PASSPORT BOTH CAN BE PRESENTED UPON DEPARTURE (FROM THE
PHILIPPINES) WITHOUT FURTHER DOCUMENTATION... AFTER AGE 18 THE
CHILD CAN APPLY FOR DUAL CITIZENSHIP HERE OR IF OVERSEAS AT
ANY PI CONSULATE/EMBASSY, IF SO DESIRED....
PHILIPPINE
IMMIGRATIONS EASES RULES ON DUAL CITIZENSHIP: “The Bureau of
Immigration (BI) has come up with new rules easing the
requirements for former Filipinos who became citizens of other
countries to regain their Philippine citizenship under the
so-called dual citizenship law that Congress passed two years
ago, it was learned yesterday.
Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez Jr. said the
new rules which he had signed and approved by Justice
Secretary Raul Gonzales will take effect 15 days after its
publication in a national newspapers. Fernandez disclosed
that under the revised implementing rules for Republic Act
9225, also known as the Citizenship Reacquisition and
Retention Act, it will now be easier for qualified applicants
to avail themselves of the said law as the stringent
requirements under the old rules have been removed. The BI chief
explained that the requirements were eased in response to the
clamor of many former Filipinos who wish to apply for dual
citizenship but could not do so due to their inability to
submit certain documents required under the old rules. Foremost among these
documents, it was learned, is the birth certificate duly
authenticated by the National Statistics Office (NSO) which
many applicants could not produce as records of their birth
were either lost during the war or due to fortuitous events. Under the new rules,
Fernandez said, applicants for dual citizenship need not
submit birth certificates from the National Statistics Office
to prove that they were natural-born Filipinos. He explained that in
lieu of the birth certificate from the NSO, the applicant may
submit his birth certificate from the local civil registrar in
his birthplace and other documents proving that he is a former
natural-born Filipino. Said
documents may include, among others, the applicant’s old
Philippine passport, his voter’s affidavit, and his marriage
contract indicating his Philippine citizenship. Another significant
change in the new rules, Fernandez said, is that applicants
for dual citizenship based overseas may now apply for the said
law in any of the Philippine consulates abroad. He added that the
said consulates have been authorized to issue identification
certificates to the approved applicants, hence the latter need
not come to Manila to secure the said certificate from the BI
main office. It
was in 2003 when Congress passed RA 9225 but it was only in
April last year that the BI started implementing it after
Malacañang designated the bureau as the lead
implementing agency for the said law. Under the law,
former natural-born Filipinos who became naturalized citizen
of other countries are deemed not to have lost their
Philippine citizenship.” By: JUN RAMIREZ
(Thursday, October 20, 2005) Manila Bulletin…
RP SCHOOL VISA: THE
PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES SIGNED EXECUTIVE ORDER 285
AUTHORIZING FOREIGN
STUDENTS TO CONVERT CURRENT TOURIST VISA TO A STUDENT VISA
WHILE IN-COUNTRY... ALSO ALLOWS MINOR CHILDREN AND DEPENDENTS
OF FOREIGN STUDENTS TO OBTAIN SPECIAL STUDY PERMITS... THE
IMMIGRATION COMMISSIONER MAKE THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT;
THEREFORE, THIS SHOULD BE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY...
NEWBORNS &
EMBASSY DOCUMENTATION: WHEN YOUR
NEW ADDITIONS ARRIVE, IT'S PAPERWORK TIME ALSO… ON YOUR NEXT DAY O
ABSENTEE BALLOT
REQUEST: WE
HAVE THE INFORMATION AND FORMS AT THE POST OFFICE (RAO)… JUST LOOK UP YOUR
STATE, COMPLETE THE FORM AND MAIL VIA THE FPO (NO POSTAGE
NECESSARY)... I
AM ALSO THE VOTING OFFICER FOR THIS AREA AND YOU CAN SEE ME AT THE RAO FOR
ASSISTANCE......
VOTING VIA
ABSENTEE BALLOT: WE HAVE
THE NECESSARY FORMS AND INFORMATION AT OUR FPO IF YOU WOULD
LIKE TO EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE IN THE NEXT U.S.
ELECTION... CAN SEND IN YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST NOW OR
NOT LATER THAN THE DATE ESTABLISHED BY YOUR STATE... IF YOU
HAVE BEEN OUT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR A FEW YEARS AND WOULD
LIKE TO VOTE; YOU CAN USE YOUR LAST STATESIDE ADDRESS... CAN
ALSO CHOOSE TO VOTE ONLY IN FEDERAL ELECTION OR BE ACTIVE IN
ELECTING THE COUNTY DOG CATCHER, ETC.
BOTH PARENTS’
CONSENT REQUIRED FOR NEW CHILDREN’S PASSPORT LAW: THE STATE
DEPARTMENT NOW REQUIRES BOTH PARENTS’ CONSENT TO OBTAIN
PASSPORTS OF CHILDREN UNDER 14 EFFECTIVE 2 JULY 2001, INTENT
OF THE LAW IS TO LESSEN THE CHANCE THAT PARENTS CAN ABDUCT
THEIR CHILDREN AND USE U.S. PASSPORTS TO DEPART THE COUNTRY...
BOTH PARENTS MUST NOW SIGN CHILDREN’S PASSPORT APPLICATION
FORMS, UNLESS ONE PARENT IS UNAVAILABLE BECAUSE OF
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION, DIVORCE OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES...
AMERICAN
CITIZENS LIVING IN THE PAMPANGA AREA: IF
YOU HAVE NOT RENEWED YOUR PASSPORT AT THE U.S. EMBASSY, MANILA
OR MOVED SINCE YOU DID, YOU MAY NOT HAVE A CURRENT
REGISTRATION.. IF YOU HAVE REASON TO BELEIVE YOUR EMERGENCY
DATA WITH THE EMBASSY MAY NOT BE CURRENT, DROP BY OUR OFFICE
AND WE WILL CHECK THE MASTER LIST... REGISTRATION CAN BE
ACCOMPLISHED AT OUR OFFICE... ADDRESS RECORD WILL ONLY BE USED
FOR OFFICIAL USE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE U.S. PRIVACY ACT...
WIDOW(ER) O
U.S. GOV’T
FORMS: IF YOU NEED U.S. GOV’T FORMS, DROP BY THE RAO, WE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP OR PROVIDE A SOURCE…
DEATH OUTSIDE O
FUNERAL COST: WE SEEM
TO AVERAGE A COUPLE OF FUNERALS A MONTH AND BETWEEN OUR
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND CLARK FIELD ALLOWING US TO USE THE
CEMETERY, ALL SEEMS TO WORK VERY WELL EXCEPT THE FUNERAL
BILL... HAVE TOO MANY MILITARY RETIREES AND OTHER AMERICANS
WHO LIVE HERE THAT HAVE NOT PLANNED FOR THEIR FINAL PCS... WE
HAVE FUNERAL HOMES WHERE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE IN
ADVANCE OR THERE ARE INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT WILL HELP YOU
PLAN AHEAD... CAN ALSO MAKE ARRANGEMENT WITH THE LOCAL BANKS
WITH A SPECIAL ACCOUNT TO BE USED FOR YOUR FUNERAL... BANK OF
COMMERCE LOCATED NEAR OUR OFFICE HAS THIS PROGRAM ESTABLISHED
AND ASSUME YOU CAN MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH OTHER BANKS AS
WELL... IF YOU DO NOT HAVE FAMILY HERE TO MAKE DECISIONS AFTER
YOUR DEATH, YOU SHOULD HAVE A WILL AND A COPY ON FILE AT YOUR
SERVICE ORGANIZATION OR WITH A CLOSE FRIEND... IF THERE IS NOT
ANY WILL OR NEXT OF KIN LIVING HERE, THE U.S. EMBASSY MUST
ATTEMPT TO LOCATE A NEXT OF KIN BEFORE THE BURIAL CAN TAKE
PLACE... SHOULD PLAN AHEAD FOR A PROPER FUNERAL AND FINAL
RESTING PLACE... THE WILL SHOULD INCLUDE HOW YOU WOULD LIKE
YOUR ASSETS DISTRIBUTED/PAY ANY OUTSTANDING BILLS... YOUR LAST
CHANCE TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION... NOTE: IF A MEMBER OF
CYBERCARE/TRICARE PROVIDER THE FUNERAL IS FREE... REF WEB www.cybercareinc.net
FUNERAL HOMES: THE
SELECTION OF A FUNERAL HOME IS VERY IMPORTANT TO YOUR FAMILY
FINANCIALLY... PLAN
AHEAD AND INSTRUCT YOUR SPOUSE TO CONTACT US BEFORE MAKING ANY
SELECTION OF FUNERAL HOMES...
MOST ALL
THESE FUNERAL HOME PROVIDE
SIMILAR SERVICE; HOWEVER,
SOME WILL CHARGE YOU TWO OR THREE TIMES MORE THAN YOU SHOULD
PAY.... SHOP AROUND BEFORE YOUR FINAL PCS OR INSTRUCT YOUR
SPOUSE TO SEE US... WE
WILL ALSO SEE THAT YOUR SPOUSE WILL RECEIVE CASUALTY
ASSISTANCE SUPPORT AND ALL BENEFITS DUE… GOOD TO PLAN
AHEAD...WE HAVE A CASUALTY ASSISTANCE CHECKLIST AT OUT
OFFICE.. DROP BY
ON YOUR NEXT DAY OFF
FUNERAL &
PROCEDURES: BET
YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD ESCAPE RULES AFTER DEATH: NO WAY... WHEN A
FORMER MEMBER OF THE U.S.
ARMED FORCES
PASSES ON AND THE NEXT OF KIN DESIRES THE DECEASED TO BE
BURIED AT THE CLARK CEMETERY:
YOU NEED TO TAKE HIS/HER LAST DD
FORM 214 TO THE VFW (NEAR CLARKVIEW GATE)... REQUEST A BASE
FUNERAL AND RECEIVE A BRIEFING... THIS IS TO BE
ACCOMPLISHED BEFORE YOU SELECT A FUNERAL
PARLOR (NOT ALL FUNERAL PARLORS HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO CONDUCT FUNERALS ON BASE)... IF YOU DO NOT DESIRE
A BASE FUNERAL OR THE PERSON IS NOT AUTHORIZED SAME, PLEASE
SEE ME AT THE RAO FOR A BRIEFING… IF THE DECEASED IS A
MEMBER OF ANY OF THE SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, I WILL DIRECT YOU
TO THAT ORGANIZATION AFTER
THE BRIEFING… ONE
OTHER VERY IMPORTANT ITEM; HOPE EVERYONE REALIZE THAT FUNERALS
ARE NOT FREE… FUNERALS ARE NOT
EXPENSIVE HERE COMPARED TO THE STATES; HOWEVER, YOU
NEED TO SAVE BACK AT LEAST $1500 FOR THE FINAL PCS... TO MANY
OF OUR RETIREES PASS ON
AND LEAVE THE FAMILY OR FRIENDS STUCK WITH THE BILLS... YOU
CAN MAKE ARRANGEMENT WITH THE FAMILY/SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS OR EVEN A FUNERAL PARLOR… HOPE YOU WILL TAKE
ALL THIS INTO CONSIDERATION PRIOR TO YOUR DEPARTURE... MAY EVEN HELP YOU GET BETTER QUARTERS AT YOUR NEW DUTY STATION...
BURIAL ON CLARK
FIELD: MILITARY
RETIREES AND VETERANS WHO WHERE DISCHARGED UNDER HONORABLE
CONDITIONS ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE BURIED ON CLARK FIELD… MUST HAVE
A DD FORM 214, DEATH CERTIFICATE, BURIAL PERMIT AND SEE THE
VFW POST 2485 HERE IN ANGELES CITY (TEL # (045) 892 7147)…
BURIAL ON CLARK IS FREE; HOWEVER, OTHER COST WILL BE YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY…
LIVE IN
PARTNERS & RESPONSIBILITY: WE HAVE A
LOT OF PROBLEMS INVOLVING LIVE IN PARTNERS AND CHILDREN UPON
SUDDEN DEATH OF RETIREES… MOST OF THE TIME THESE CHILDREN HAVE
NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE U.S. EMBASSY AND ARE DEPRIVED OF
U.S. CITIZENSHIP… ANOTHER PROBLEM IS WILLS, FUNDS FOR THE
FUNERAL AND CONTINUED SUPPORT OF YOUR LIVE IN
PARTNER/CHILDREN… MOST OF THESE PROBLEMS COULD BE REDUCED OR
ELIMINATED IF ONE PLANS AHEAD… IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE
HER/CHILDREN TAKEN CARE OF AFTER YOUR FINAL PCS, YOUR RAO IS
AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH THAT PLANNING… FIRST, WE NEED TO GET
THE CHILDREN REGISTERED WITH THE U.S. EMBASSY… WE HAVE THE
FORMS AND CAN HELP WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE… THIS WILL
ENABLE YOUR CHILDREN TO RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS UNTIL
18 YEARS OF AGE IN MOST CASES AND THE VA MAY ALSO BE ABLE TO
HELP DEPENDING ON YOUR STATUS… WITH DEERS ENROLLMENT TO TAKE
CARE OF THEIR MEDICAL NEEDS/FUNDS COMING IN FOR SCHOOL/LIVING
EXPENSES AND A U.S. PASSPORT, THE CHILDREN WILL HAVE BRIGHT
FUTURE... IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET MARRIED TO THE MOTHER OF
THE CHILDREN, THERE WILL BE VA BENEFITS AND MEDICAL CARE
(DEERS) FOR THE REST FO HER LIFE UNLESS SHE REMARRIES… IF YOU
DO NOT LIKE THE IDEA OF MARRIAGE, YOU SHOULD AT LEAST PLAN ON
INSURANCE AND A WILL THAT WILL ALLOW HER TO HAVE SELECTED
ASSETS AND MAKE DECISIONS CONCERNING YOUR FUNERAL… ALSO SHOULD
PLAN AHEAD FOR FUNERAL EXPENSES… YOU CAN PURCHASE INSURANCE OR
MAKE PAYMENTS DIRECTLY TO ONE OF OUR FUNERAL HOMES… SHOULD NOT
LEAVE YOUR LIVE IN PARTNER WITH BILLS AND WITHOUT MEANS OF
GIVING YOU A PROPER FUNERAL… SEEMS ONLY FAIR IF THE LADY IS
WILLING TO TAKE CARE OF YOU DURING YOUR LIFE, YOU SHOULD MAKE
PLANS HER FUTURE…
DEATH BENEFITS
& INSURANCE INCREASE FOR SERVICE MEMBERS: “WASHINGTON,
July 7, 2005 Compensation for the survivors of service
members who die in combat zones and insurance coverage for
service members will both
increase
significantly this year, a military pay official said today. An increase in death
gratuity benefits from $12,500 to $100,000 already has taken
effect, and Service members' Group Life Insurance maximum
coverage will increase to $400,000 starting Sept. 1, said Air
Force Col. Virginia Penrod, director of military compensation. The increase in
death benefits took effect May 11 and is dated retroactively
to Oct. 7, 2001, Penrod said. This means that survivors of
service members who died between Oct. 7, 2001, and May 11,
2005, will receive the increased benefits, as will survivors
of service members who die from May 11 on, she said. The increased
benefits are for survivors of service members who die in
combat zones, combat operations and combat-related situations,
she said. Combat-related situations can include airborne duty,
combat training, demolition duty and training exercises, among
other things, she said. A policy designating combat areas and
situations was given to the individual services in June, and each service is now
reviewing cases. Payments already have begun, but the process
of identifying and paying all eligible survivors could take
several months, she said.
When the increase in SGLI coverage takes effect Sept.
1, it also will be dated retroactively to Oct. 7, 2001, she
said. Survivors of service members who died in a combat zone,
combat operations or combat-related situations between the
October date and Sept. 1 will receive $150,000 in transitional
insurance, which will bring them to the $400,000 level, she
said. In addition
to the increased coverage, DoD will pay premiums of $150,000
for service members involved in combat operations or deployed
to a combat zone, Penrod said.”
GETTING READY
TO APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS??? OF COURSE
YOU WILL NEED TO PROVIDE A FEW DOCUMENTS… THE SS OFFICE AT THE
U.S. EMBASSY, MANILA IS AVAILABLE BETWEEN MON-FRI EXCEPT
AMERICAN AND PHILIPPINE HOLIDAYS… BEST TO GET THERE AROUND
0800 WHILE THE ON LINE COMPUTER IS UP AND BRING THE FOLLOWING
DOCUMENTS (IF YOU HAVE):
§
SOCIAL SECURITY
CARD
§
ALL DD FORMS 214
(IF YOU HAD PRIOR MILITARY SERVICE)
§
BIRTH CERTIFICATE
§
MARRIAGE CONTRACT
(IF APPLICABLE)
§
BIRTH CERTIFICATE
OF MINOR CHILDREN (IF APPLICABLE)
§
TWO PASSPORT PHOTOS
§
IF YOU HAVE
REMARRIED, A COPY OF YOUR DIVORCE(S)
§
BLANK CHECK FOR
DIRECT DEPOSIT DATA (IF YOU PLAN TO USE THE SAME BANK)
§
SS EARNING
STATEMENT
§
LAST W-2 OR LAST
TAX RETURN IF SELF EMPLOYED
* ALWAYS TAKE YOUR
PASSPORT WHEN VISITING THE EMBASSY…
WHEN TO APPLY: AGE 62 APPLICANTS;
TWO MONTHS IN ADVANCE… I
SOCIAL SECURITY
BENEFITS IN THE PHILIPPINES: AS MOST
ARE AWARE DEPENDENTS WHO WOULD NORMALLY BE ELIGIBLE FOR SOCIAL
SECURITY IN THE UNITED STATES OR COUNTRIES WITH A TAX TREATY
ARE NOT ELIGIBLE IN THE PHILIPPINES UNLESS THEY ARE A U.S.
CITIZEN OR HAVE MET
A FIVE YEARS U.S. RESIDENT REQUIREMENT... THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS
TO THAT RULE; PHILIPPINE
DEPENDENTS ARE ALSO ENTITLED ON THE RECORD OF A WORKER WHO
DIED WHILE IN THE U.S. MILITARY SERVICE OR AS A RESULT OF A
SERVICE-CONNECTED DISEASE OR INJURY... IF YOU ARE LEGAL
DEPENDENT AND MET ALL THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR SSA
ELIGIBILITY, YOU MAY BE ENTITLED SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS IN
THE PHILIPPINES... FOR ACTIVE DUTY DECEASED, A DD FORM 1300
REPORT OF CASUALTY MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION...
VA CERTIFICATION WOULD BE SUFFICIENT FOR MEMBERS WHO DIED OF A
SERVICE CONNECTED CAUSE AFTER DISCHARGE/RETIREMENT... SHOULD
ALSO BE NOTED THE 5 YEAR RESIDENT REQUIREMENT DOES NOT APPLY
TO SSA BENEFICIARIES ELIGIBLE BEFORE JAN 01, 1985; THOSE ELIGIBLE AND
HAVE NOT APPLIED SHOULD VISIT THE SSA OFFICE, U.S. EMBASSY,
MANILA... THE ABOVE DATA HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY SOCIAL
SECURITY, MANILA...
SOCIAL SECURITY
PERSONAL EARNINGS STATEMENT: IF
YOU ARE OVER 60 YEARS OLD, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED SUBJECT STATEMENT BY NOW... THIS STATEMENT WOULD
HAVE BEEN MAILED TO YOUR LAST IRS ADDRESS (YOU REMEMBERED IRS,
YES???)... IF NOT, DROP BY THE RAO FOR A "REQUEST
FOR EARNINGS AND BENEFITS STATEMENT"… IF UNDER 60 YEARS OF
AGE, YOU CAN REQUEST THIS
STATEMENT ANYTIME YOU DESIRE AND SHOULD DO SO AT LEAST
EVERY THREE OR FOUR YEARS...
NOTE: THIS DOES NOT APPLY
TO THOSE WHO ALREADY RECEIVED SOCIAL SECURITY....
SOCIAL SECURITY
CHANGE: THE CAP ON
HOW MUCH INCOME OUR OVER
65 GROUP CAN EARN HAS BEEN ELIMINATED… LIFE JUST KEEPS GETTING
BETTER.
SOCIAL SECURITY
AND MEDICARE PART B: IF YOU
ARE A MILITARY RETIREE/DEP/WIDOW AND OVER 65 YEARS OF AGE, YOU
MUST BE ENROLLED IN PART B MEDICARE TO RECEIVE FULL TRICARE
FOR LIFE BENEFITS... SOME WIDOWS/DEPENDENTS HAVE ENCOUNTERED
PROBLEMS IN BEING ALLOWED TO ENROLL IN MEDICARE PART B UNLESS
THEY WERE U.S. CITIZENS OR MET THE 5 YEARS RESIDENT
REQUIREMENT IN THE UNITED STATES...THERE IS A WAY AROUND THIS
PROBLEMS; IF YOU WOULD HAVE NORMALLY BEEN ELIGIBLE FOR SOCIAL
SECURITY VIA YOUR SPOUSE ELIGIBILITY EXCEPT FOR RESIDENT
REQUIREMENT; YOU SHOULD CONTACT OUR SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE,
U.S. EMBASSY, MANILA TO APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
(WITHOUT PAYMENT)... ONCE APPROVED, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE
ENROLLED IN MEDICARE PART A (FREE) AND THEN BE ELIGIBLE TO
APPLY FOR MEDICARE PART B... SHOULD YOU ENCOUNTER PROBLEMS
WHILE AT THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE CONCERNING THIS SUBJECT,
PLEASE ASK THE CLERK TO CHECK WITH MR. THOMAS ASHLEY, SS
CHIEF... IF YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR SOCIAL
SECURITY BENEFITS WITHOUT PAYMENT, REQUEST A “NOTICE OF
DISALLOWANCE” FROM SOCIAL SECURITY WHICH WILL ALLOW YOU TO
CONTINUE TRICARE WITHOUT MEDICARE PART B AND THEN SEE ME...
SOCIAL SECURITY
CREDITS FOR MILITARY SERVICE: PEOPLE
WHO SERVED IN THE MILITARY BEFORE 1957 DID NOT PAY INTO SOCIAL
SECURITY DIRECTLY, BUT WHEN THEY APPLY FOR BENEFITS, THEIR
RECORDS ARE CREDITED WITH SPECIAL EARNINGS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY
PURPOSES THAT COUNT TOWARD ANY BENEFITS THAT MAY BE PAYABLE...
IN JAN 2002 THE
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT (PUBLIC LAW 107-117),
STOPPED THE SPECIAL EXTRA EARNINGS THAT HAVE BEEN CREDITED TO
MILITARY SERVICE PERSONNEL... MILITARY SERVICE IN 2002 AND
FUTURE YEARS NO LONGER QUALIFIES FOR THESE SPECIAL EXTRA
EARNINGS... QUALIFICATIONS
FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY CREDIT ARE AS FOLLOWS: A. SERVICE FROM 1978
THRU 2001: FOR
EVERY $300 IN ACTIVE DUTY BASIC PAY, YOU ARE CREDITED WITH AN
ADDITIONAL $100 IN EARNINGS UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $1200 PER YEAR; B. SERVICE FROM 1957
THRU 1977: YOU
ARE CREDITED WITH $300 IN ADDITIONAL EARNINGS FOR EACH QUARTER
IN WHICH YOU RECEIVED ACTIVE DUTY PAY; C. SERVICE FROM 1940-
THRU 1958: UNDER
CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES YOU MAY BE CREDITED WITH $160 A MONTH IN
EARNINGS FOR MILITARY SERVICE... FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CHECK
WITH SOCIAL SECURITY OR GO TO WEB SITE: http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov
HAVE YOUR DD 214 AVAILABLE.. SOURCE: MCGUIRE AFB.
SURVIVOR
BENEFIT PLAN (SBP): DON’T
FORGET YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT CHANGES TO DFAS... PARTICIPANTS IN THE
SBP MUST CONTACT DFAS, CLEVELAND IN WRITING IMMEDIATELY UPON
THEIR BENEFICIARY’S DEATH, A REMARRIAGE OR DIVORCE OR WHEN YOU
ACQUIRE ANOTHER CHILD… IF
YOU DID NOT HAVE A SPOUSE OR CHILD WHEN YOU RETIRED, YOU MAY
ELECT SBP COVERAGE WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR AFTER GAINING
EITHER... SEND A COPY OF THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE/CONTRACT FOR
THE SPOUSE OR BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR A CHILD.... ALSO DON’T
FORGET TO KEEP YOUR CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS UPDATED....
PLEASE SEE ME ALSO FOR A BRIEF EXPLANATION...
O
ALCOHOLIC
ANONYMOUS: IF
YOU HAVE PROBLEM JUST SEE/CALL MR DONALD CAYTON AT TEL # (63-45) 892-4258…
A.A. MEETINGS: TUESDAY,
THURSDAY & SATURDAY 5 P.M… PLACE – 1996 A MARLIM AVE.,
DIAMOND SUBD. BALIBAGO, ANGELES CITY 2009, PHILIPPINES (ACROSS
STREET MARLIM MANSIONS HOTEL PARKING LOT)
CASUALTY
ASSISTANCE: WHEN
THERE IS DEATH IN YOUR
LOCATOR CARDS: WE HAVE A
DIFFICULT TIME IN LOCATING RETIREES/DEPENDENTS/WIDOWS(ER)
DURING EMERGENCIES BECAUSE LOCATOR CARDS HAVE NOT BEEN
COMPLETED OR UP TO DATE… YOU CAN ALSO USE OUR FAX & E-MAIL
ADDRESS FOR EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS (SEE ADDRESS AT BOTTOM OF
PAGE)... WE DO NOT PASS OUT ADDRESS DATA UNLESS SO INDICATED
ON YOUR LOCATOR CARD; THEREFORE, NO EXCUSE FOR NOT HAVING
EMERGENCY DATA UP TO DATE….
SERVICE
ORGANIZATIONS: WE PROBABLY HAVE
MORE SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS THAN MOST AMERICAN TOWNS… HAVE TWO AMERICANS
LEGIONS (POST 10 & 123), VFW POST 2485 WITH AROUND ONE
THOUSAND MEMBERS, DAV, BEAGLES (DOG HOUSE), MASONIC LODGE,
FLEET RESERVE, SPECIAL FORCES ORGANIZATION AND MANY OTHERS… I
MUST SAY THAT SOME OF THESE ORGANIZATION SERVE THE BEST SOS IN
TOWN AND MANY AMERICAN/INT’L FAVORITES… THIS MUST BE ONE OF
THE FEW LOCATIONS OVERSEAS WHERE JUST ABOUT EVERYONE SPEAKS
ENGLISH, SIGNS ARE IN ENGLISH AND THE NEWSPAPERS ARE EVEN
PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH… WITH REGIONAL VA SERVICES, FULL SERVICE
SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE AND GREAT EMBASSY SUPPORT WHO COULD ASK
FOR MORE… I CALL THIS LITTLE AMERICAN AT 1980 PRICES…
RUMPA: ONE O
DISTRIBUTION
BOX: WE HAVE
ESTABLISHED A DISTRIBUTION BOX AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE RAO FOR
ALL SERVICE ORGANIZATION...
DROP OFF YOUR ORGANIZATIONAL DISTRIBUTION AND
SAVE SOME LEG WORK.....
FAX NUMBERS: HARD TO
REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT A FAX NUMBER IS UNTIL YOU HAVE A
BANKING PROBLEM
OR LOOSE A CREDIT
CARD... OBTAIN
A LIST OF IMPORTANT FAX
NUMBERS FROM THE PEOPLE YOU DO
BUSINESS AND KEEP IN A SAFE PLACE (ONE YOU CAN REMEMBER)... ALSO YOU CAN CALL
001(AREA CODE) 555-1212 FOR
DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE IN THE U.S. IN EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY...
NOT FREE...
TEL/FAX/E-MAIL: WE GET A
LOT OF INQUIRES CONCERNING TEL, FAX & E-MAIL ADDRESSES FOR
ORGANIZATIONS HERE IN ANGELES CITY... HOPE THE FOLLOWING
WILL BE USEFUL:
ORGANIZATION
TELEPHONE
FAX E-MAIL/WEBSITE
|
VFW,
POST 2485 |
(63)
(045) 322-0784/892 7147 |
(63)
(045) 892 7147/7369 |
vfw2485@mozcom.com
/ www.vfwpost2485.com |
|
A. L. POST 123 |
(63)
(045) 331-2761 |
USE RAO |
|
|
A. L. POST 10 |
(63)
(045) 322-1950 |
SAME AS
TEL. |
USE RAO |
|
DAV |
(63)
(045) 893-3767/3778 |
|
|
|
BEAGLES
(DOG H.) |
(63)
(045) 892-0755 |
USE RAO |
USE RAO |
|
FRA
(FLEET RESERVE) |
(63)
(045) 331-4566 |
SAME AS
TEL. |
PROBLEM; WHO TO
CONTACT: IF YOU NEED
HELP, IT IS ALWAYS BEST TO START AT THE CORRECT OFFICE; THEN
IF YOU STILL HAVE PROBLEMS CONTACT THE RAO...
|
REQUIREMENT |
CONTACT |
THEN PROCEED TO: |
|
|
|
|
|
PASSPORT
FORMS & INSTRUCTIONS |
RAO |
ACS U.S.
EMBASSY |
|
PETITION
FOR ALIEN FIANCÉ(E) FORMS |
RAO |
INS U.S.
EMBASSY |
|
PETITION
FOR ALIEN RELATIVE(S) FORMS |
RAO |
INS U.S.
EMBASSY |
|
U.S.
CITIZENSHIP FOR NEWBORNS (AMCIT)
FORMS & CHECKLIST |
RAO |
ACS U.S.
EMBASSY |
|
CHAMPUS/TRICARE
CLAIM FORMS |
RAO |
|
|
DIRECT
DEPOSIT FORMS FOR OUT OF COUNTRY
BANKS |
RAO |
|
|
MEDICAL
CARE AT OUR CHAMPUS PARTICIPATING
HOSPITAL, AUFMC, ANGELES CITY |
HMO OR
EMERGENCY ROOM |
|
|
EMERGENCY
VA SERVICE CONNECTED MEDICAL
CARE AUFMC |
EMERGENCY
ROOM |
|
|
ROUTINE VA
SERVICE CONNECTED MEDICAL CARE |
VA CLINIC,
MANILA
|
|
|
SBP |
DFAS |
|
|
FPO (POST
OFFICE) |
RAO |
|
|
MILITARY
ID CARDS FOR RETIREES, DEPENDENTS
& WIDOWS(ER) |
RAO |
|
|
CASUALTY
REPORTING/ASSISTANCE |
RAO |
|
|
DFAS PAY
PROBLEMS THAT YOU CANNOT
RESOLVE |
RAO |
|
|
ROUTINE
DFAS TRANSACTIONS |
DFAS |
|
|
U.S.
EMBASSY WARDEN |
RAO |
|
|
VOTING
INFORMATION & FORMS |
RAO |
|
|
IRS FORMS
& INSTRUCTIONS |
RAO |
|
|
ADDRESS
FOR VITAL RECORDS |
RAO |
|
|
SOCIAL
SECURITY |
SSA, U.S.
EMBASSY |
|
|
DIRECT
DEPOSIT (LOCAL):
SEE OUR NEWSLETTER |
|
LOCAL BANK |
|
VA PAY
PROBLEMS |
VA, MANILA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ATM CARDS: SEE OUR
NEWSLETTER |
|
LOCAL BANK |
|
JOIN THE
U.S. MILITARY |
RAO |
|
|
ATTORNEY
ON RETAINER |
RAO |
|
|
SPACE A
TRAVEL DATA |
09209705030 |
|
|
HUNGRY/THIRSTY |
VFW,
AMERICAN LEGION POST 123, 10, FRA & DOG HOUSE |
|
LOST DOCUMENTS: AMERICAN
CITIZENS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS SEEM TO BE LOOSING TOO MANY
OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS TO PICKPOCKETS/MISPLACED/OTHER... SHOULD
KEEP ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS IN A SECURE PLACE AND CARRY XEROX
COPIES EXCEPT FOR DRIVERS LICENSE WHICH MUST BE THE ORIGINAL
WHEN DRIVING A VEHICLE... EVEN CREDIT/DEBIT/ATM CARDS SHOULD
NOT BE CARRIED UNLESS YOU PLAN TO USE THAT DAY... WE HAVE SOME
OF THE BEST PICKPOCKETS AROUND AND DOCUMENTS ARE
HARD/EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE... SHOULD NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO
HOLD/KEEP YOUR PERSONAL DOCUMENTS OTHER THAN A PERSON YOU
WOULD TRUST WITH YOUR BANK ACCOUNT... LOST DOCUMENTS/BANK
CARDS SHOULD BE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY...
DEERS ENROLLMENT: DEFENSE
ENROLLMENT ELIGIBILITY REPORTING SYSTEM (DEERS) The most
important thing beneficiaries can do to ensure they have
access to their medical benefits is to keep information in
their DEERS record up-to-date. DEERS is the computerized
listing of all military sponsors, families, and others who, by
law, are entitled to TRICARE benefits. Active duty and retired
members are automatically listed, but they are responsible for
listing their dependents and reporting any changes through the
nearest military personnel office or ID card section. Newborns
should be enrolled as soon as possible after birth. Sponsors
or registered family members may make address changes;
however, only the sponsor can add or delete a family member
from DEERS. Proper documents are required, such as a marriage
certificate, divorce decree, birth certificate, etc. Unmarried
children over age 21 and attending an approved institution of
higher learning on a full-time basis, need their student
status entered into DEERS so that TRICARE eligibility is
continued. They will remain TRICARE eligible up to age 23, as
long as they attend school on a full-time basis. Also in
certain cases unmarried severely disabled children over 21
continue their TRICARE eligibility. To receive care at a
military treatment facility or from an authorized TRICARE
civilian provider, sponsors and family members must be
eligible and registered in DEERS. If the sponsor is registered
in DEERS but the family is not, or the family has not verified
eligibility within the last 4 years (normally in conjunction
with ID card renewal), family members are ineligible for
TRICARE health and pharmacy benefits. Sponsors who keep
DEERS up-to-date with current addresses, telephone numbers,
and the status of all personal events--marriages, divorces,
deaths, births, re-enlistment’s, retirements, etc.--eliminate
access problems for themselves and family members. Keeping
DEERS information current helps ensure that any claims filed
for the sponsor or family member are processed quickly and
accurately. Claims for health care may be denied because the
DEERS file shows no record of a new spouse or a child. Keeping
DEERS current also ensures that important TRICARE-related
health care documents--enrollment cards, brochures, privacy
notices, etc., and, in some cases, prescription
medications--are delivered to the sponsor and their family
members at the correct address and on time. The military sponsor
is responsible for Dis-enrolling his or her family members
from DEERS when they are no longer eligible for TRICARE
(because of the marriage of a minor child, divorce of a spouse
who is not eligible for continued TRICARE benefits, enlistment
of a child in the military, etc.). TRICARE contractors
check DEERS before processing claims to make sure patients are
eligible for TRICARE benefits. A claim may be paid in error
because there was no record in DEERS of a divorce, death, or
dropping/declining Medicare Part B. For claims paid by
mistake, the government is required by law to retrieve the
money from the person to whom it was incorrectly
paid--regardless of who was responsible for the mistake.
Improperly receiving care may also be considered fraud. Sometimes when
sponsors change their status--active to retired, enlisted to
officer or active to Reserve--breaks in coverage or "under
laps" in eligibility may occur, creating DEERS eligibility
problems for sponsors and family members. Eligibility problems
may occur anytime there is a delay updating the sponsor's new
eligibility status in DEERS. To eliminate service breaks and
periods of ineligibility for TRICARE benefits, sponsors should
check their DEERS eligibility status periodically to ensure
personal and family members' information is accurate and
up-to-date. Address
changes to DEERS may be made by one of the following methods.
(Include the sponsor's name and social security number, the
address change, names of other family members affected by the
address change, effective date of new address, and telephone
number with the area code.) - E-Mail to
addrinfo@osd.pentagon.mil.- Nearest uniformed service
personnel office. To locate the nearest military ID card
facility, go to http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/
- Call the DEERS
Service Office (DSO) at 1-800-538-9552.
- Fax to DEERS at
1-408-655-8317.
- Mail to DSO,
ATTN: COA, 400 Gigling Road, Seaside, CA 93955-6771.
- Go on-line at http://www.tricare.osd.mil/DEERSAddress/
If there is a
problem with a DEERS record that cannot be resolved by the
local ID card issuing office, call the DEERS Beneficiary
Telephone Center in Seaside, California, at 1-800-334-4162
(California residents); 1-800-527-5602 (Alaska and Hawaii); or
1-800-538-9552 (all others).
REMEMBER: TRICARE does not
make DEERS entries--the local military installation ID Card
Office makes changes and updates.
SOURCE: THEMS
*
DEERS
ENROLLMENT FOR CHILDREN: BIG
CHANGE!!! ONCE CHILDREN ARE ENROLLED IN DEERS, UPDATES ARE NO
LONGER REQUIRED UNTIL AGE 21... TO VERIFY IF CHILDREN ARE
ENROLLED IN DEERS CHECK WEB https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/swg/owa/dmdc.home
OR CONTACT THE TRICARE PACIFIC OFFICE CUSTOMER SERVICE: TPAO.CSC@OKI10.med.navy.mil...
IF THE CHILD SHOULD MARRY BEFORE AGE 21 OR LOOSE DEERS
ELIGIBILITY FOR OTHER REASONS THE SPONSOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
ADVISING DEERS... AUTHORITY: CHIEF, AF
DEERS/RAPIDS ID CARD OPERATION AF DEERS/RAPIDS PROJECT
OFFICER, OCT 11, 2005... “ When DEERS first
came on line children were initially enrolled for 10 yrs 6
months and at that time they had to come in and have their
relationship re-verified by the Sponsor before that period
ended in order to keep benefits active and if issued an ID
Card, the Sponsor had to ensure he re-verified the dependents
before that expired to keep benefits active. No longer. That changed and all
children are now enrolled with a benefit eligibility end date
of 21 years of age… Possibly, providing a copy of the 1172 may
have been a practice for the mail-in scenario; not a policy. DD Form 1172 are not
arbitrarily issued to a family with children under 10. Yes, 10 is the age
children may get an ID. A
child(ren) under 10 residing in the household of an eligible
adult family member would not normally receive an ID.”
HOW TO UPDATE
YOUR DEERS
EMERGENCY
SERVICES/REPORTING CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES: AS MOST
ARE AWARE EMERGENCIES SERVICES IN THE STATES CAN BE OBTAINED
BY DIALING 911...
HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES WE CAN DIAL/”TEXT” 117 FOR
EMERGENCIES SERVICES OR REPORTING CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES...
UNDERSTAND NOT AS FAST AS 911 BUT SEEMS TO WORK...
PROTECT
YOURSELF FROM IDENTITY THIEVES: USAF AND
SOCIAL SECURITY HAS PUBLISHED THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES ON HOW
TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM IDENTITY THIEVES (SEE GUIDELINE
BELOW)... SHOULD BE VERY CAREFUL IN PROVIDING YOUR SOCIAL
SECURITY NUMBER AND OTHER PERSONAL DATA TO UNAUTHORIZED
PEOPLE... THEY NOT ONLY STEAL YOUR IDENTITY BUT SUBMIT
FRAUDULENT CLAIMS AGAINST TRICARE/CHAMPVA... ALL DATA PROVIDED
TO OUR OFFICE IS PROTECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE U.S. PRIVACY
ACT...
***
“Thieves steal your
money and possessions, and perhaps the most valuable asset
that can be stolen -- your own identity. When a thief has your
personal information, it can be easy to use your good name and
make your record go bad.
The Social Security Administration warns everybody to
be careful with anything that contains your name, birth date,
Social Security number and account numbers as these are the
tools of the identity thief. Thieves get your information by
stealing your wallet or purse, taking mail from your mailbox
or trash, intercepting unsecured Internet transactions, posing
as someone who needs the information (like a landlord or
employer) or buying information from inside sources.
Officials point out
that there are steps you can take to prevent identity theft:
* Keep your Social
Security card in a safe place -- don't carry it with you
unless you need it.
* Shred any
paperwork that has your Social Security number on it before
throwing it away.
* Keep your
information out of the hands of the enemy.
For more
information on identity theft, visit the Social Security web
page at http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/idtheft.htm.
“
UPDATE ON
IDENTITY THEFT: THE
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISION REPORTS THAT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS
ABOUT IDENTITY THEFT (ID) JUMPED 15% FROM 2004 AND REPRESENTS
ABOUT 40% OF ALL COMPLAINTS... CRIMINALS HAVE SEIZED ON
ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFERS AS A NEW METHOD OF PICK-POCKETING
CONSUMERS, PERHAPS BOLSTERED BY THE SUCCESS OF SO-CALLED “PHISHING” ATTACKS
DESIGNED TO TRICK CONSUMERS INTO DIVULGING PERSONAL
INFORMATION THROUGH HACKER-CONTROLLED WEB SITES... COMPLAINTS
ABOUT FRAUDULENT TAX RETURNS ALSO DOUBLED FROM 2002 TO 2004,
PERHAPS SUGGESTING MORE IMPOSTERS ARE USING SOMEONE ELSE’S
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER TO OBTAIN WORK.. THE FTC SUGGESTS IT IS
A GOOD IDEA TO IGNORE SPAM... ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE TIME CON
ARTISTS INITIALLY CONTACTED THEIR VICTIMS THROUGH E-MAIL...
THE DO NOT CALL LIST
MAY BE HAVING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON TELEPHONE RELATED FRAUD..
ONLY ABOUT 16% OF INITIAL PHONE CONTACTS HAS COME FROM PHONE
SOLICITATION, DOWN FROM 20% IN 2003... THE HARDEST HIT AREAS
WERE WASHINGTON, DC, SAN JOSE-SUNNYVALE-SANTA CLARA AREAS IN
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND LAS VEGAS, NV.
12
TIPS TO PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT:
·
MAKE SURE YOUR
CHECKS ARRIVE IN THE MAIL PROMPTLY. IF YOU HAVEN’T
RECEIVED IN A REASONABLE TIME PERIOD, THEY MAY HAVE BEEN
STOLEN.
·
DO NOT HAVE YOUR
SOCIAL SECURITY OR DRIVER’S LICENSE NUMBER PRINTED ON YOUR
CHECKS.. THE NUMBERS, ALONG WITH OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION,
WILL GIVE A THIEF ALL THE NECESSARY FACTS TO APPLY FOR A LOAN,
CREDIT CARD, OR BANK ACCOUNT IN YOUR NAME.
·
WHEN WRITING
CHECKS, DO NOT LEAVE BLANK SPACES ON THE LINES DESIGNATING THE
PAYEE AND THE AMOUNT.... WRITE WORDS CLOSE TOGETHER, AVOID
ABBREVIATIONS, AND DRAW LINES TO FILL ANY GAPS..
·
WHEN WRITING CHECKS
TO PAY ON A CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT, DO NOT PUT THE COMPLETE CARD
NUMBER ON THE “FOR” LINE.
INSTEAD, PUT ONLY THE LAST FOUR ACCOUNT NUMBERS.
·
DON’T PUT BILLS IN
YOUR MAIL BOX... TAKE THEM TO THE POST OFFICE, OR PUT THEM IN
THE NEIGHBORHOOD MAILBOXES.
·
DON’T WRITE YOUR
CREDIT CARD NUMBER ON SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ON A CHECK TO A
MERCHANT, EVEN IF THE MERCHANT ASKS FOR HTIS INFORMATION.
·
TRY TO USE YOUR OWN
PREPRINTED DEPOSIT SLIPS, OR AT LEAST MAKE SURE THE DEPOSIT
SLIPS IN A BANK LOBBY DON’T HAVE SOMEONE ELSE’S ACCOUNT NUMBER
ALREADY WRITTEN OR PRINTED ON THEM.
·
DON’T THROW AWAY
OLD PAPERS, CANCELLED CHECKS, BANK STATEMENTS, ETC. SHRED OR BURN THEM.
·
PLACE THE CONTENTS
OF YOUR WALLET ON A COPY MACHINE AND COPY BOTH SIDES OF EACH
LICENSE, CREDTI CARD, ETC.
KEEP THE PHOTOCOPY IN A SAFE PLACE.
·
IF YOUR WALLET OR
PURSE IS STOLEN, FILE A POLICE REPORT IN THE JURISDICTION
WHERE THE CRIME HAPPENED... CANCEL YOUR CREDIT CARDS
IMMEDIATELY... MAFB
PICKPOCKETS: YES, WE DO
HAVE PROBLEMS AND ESPECIALLY WITH MEMBERS WHO USE
JEEPS (JITNEYS)
FOR TRANSPORTATION… WE HAVE SOME OF THE MOST PROFESSIONAL
PICKPOCKETS OUTSIDE OF MANILA AND THEY WILL USE THEIR SKILLS
IF GIVEN THE CHANCE… BEST
TO CARRY YOUR VALUABLES IN A MONEY POUCH (SECURE) OR IN YOUR
FRONT POCKETS… ALSO
SHOULD NOT CARRY YOUR PASSPORT, ID CARDS OR CREDIT/ATM CARDS
UNLESS YOU PLAN TO USE THAT DAY…
FOR HOSPITAL & IMMIGRATION PURPOSES, XEROX COPIES
OF DOCUMENTS ARE SUFFICIENT…
ANY LOST SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE LOCAL POLICE AND
OBTAIN A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT… SOMETIMES THE
PICKPOCKETS WILL CONTACT YOU AND ADVISE THEY HAVE F O U N D YOUR
WALLET/PURSE AND OF COURSE THEY WOULD LIKE A REWARD… USUALLY GET BACK
MOST OF YOUR PAPERS; HOWEVER, THE MONEY OR ANYTHING OF VALUE
WILL BE MISSING… THEY
USUALLY WILL SETTLE FOR A
FOUR-FIVE HUNDRED PESO REWARD…
BE SURE TO REPORT YOUR MISSING DOCUMENTS TO THE
APPROPRIATE AGENCY IMMEDIATELY… WE CAN PROVIDE THE REQUIRED
PASSPORT FORMS/INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCESS YOUR ID CARD
APPLICATION…. IF
YOU USE THE JEEPS ON A REGULAR BASIS, MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO
KEEP A DECOY WALLET IN YOUR REAR POCKET… MAYBE THE PICKPOCKET
WILL THINK THEY STRUCK GOLD AND LEAVE THE OTHER POCKETS ALONE…
COULD ALSO INCLUDE A SYMPATHETIC NOTE WITH A TELEPHONE NUMBER (LOCAL POLICE
STATION)….
***HAVE MORE REPORTS
OF PICKPOCKETS POSING AS PASSENGERS ON JEEPS PRIMARILY TO
FLEECE FOREIGNERS… THESE PICKPOCKETS USUALLY WORK IN PAIRS,
WILL TRY TO SIT ON EACH SIDE OF THEIR VICTIM AND MAY USE A
NEWSPAPER OR MAGAZINE TO HIDE THEIR ACTIONS… WALLETS IN THE
BACK POCKETS ARE AN INVITATION FOR PICKPOCKETS AND BEST TO
CARRY ANY VALUABLES IN YOUR FRONT POCKETS AND REMAIN ALERT…
NEED TO AVOID CARRYING ANY UNNCESSARY VALUABLES/CARDS AND
STORE IN A SAFE PLACE… IF STOLEN, BE SURE TO REPORT ALL CREDIT
CARDS IMMEDIATELY AND SEE US FOR LOST MILITARY ID/PASSPORT IF
IN THIS AREA... SHOULD ALWAYS REPORT THE LOSS TO THE LOCAL
POLICE AND GET A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT…
HUSTLERS IN AND
AROUND FIELD AVENUE (ANGELES CITY): ACCORDING
TO REPORTS, SEVERAL FOREIGN TOURIST HAVE BEEN TRICKED BY
PASSENGER TRICYCLE DRIVERS, TAKEN TO MARISOL VILLAGE TO LOOSE
MONEY IN CARD GAMES... THEY EVEN MAKE SOME TOURIST SIGN
PROMISSORY NOTES AND TRY TO EMPTY THEIR ATM ACCOUNTS... IF A
TRICYCLE DRIVER TRIES TO TAKE YOU ANYWHERE YOU DON’T WANT TO
GO, GET AWAY ASAP AND REPORT TO THE CLOSEST POLICE STATION...
BEST TO AVOID THIS MODE OF TRANSPORTATION UNLESS YOU
PERSONALLY KNOW THE DRIVER OR RECOMMENDED BY A FRIEND... UNDERAGE PICK-UP GIRLS: PICK UP GIRLS
SHOULD BE AVOIDED... LOT OF 16 YEAR OLD MAY LOOK OVER 18;
HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE NOT SURE THAT COULD BE AN ENTRAPMENT
OPEARATION OR EXTORTATION PLOT... LOT OF CASES WHERE TOURIST
DID NOT CHECK THE AGE AND A FEW HOURS LATER THE EXTORTATION
PARTY CAME KNOCKING ON THEIR DOOR... LOT OF CON GAMES AROUND
AND IF YOU ARE GOING TO PARTY, BEST TO STICK TO THE BARS WHICH
ARE REGULATED BY THE CITY....
BEWARE OF
SWINDLERS: THERE
HAS BEEN SEVERAL CASES RECENTLY… TYPICAL CASES ARE TO USE THE
NAME OF WELL KNOWN AMERICANS IN THE AREA ASK OTHER AMERICANS
TO ADVANCE THEM A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY SO THEY CONTINUE
REPAIRS ON AN APPLIANCE ITEMS/CAR… OF COURSE, HE WILL
REASSURE HIS INTENDED VICTIM THAT OWNER OF THE APPLIANCE/CAR
WILL REPAY WHEN HE RETURNS… IN OTHER CASES, THEY CONTACT THE
HOUSEHOLD HELP/WIFE AND TRY TO COLLECT FOR WORK THE BILL… TO AVOID THESE TYPE
OF PROBLEMS, YOU SHOULD INSTRUCT YOUR HOUSEHOLD HELP TO ONLY
PAY ROUTINE BILLS TO PEOPLE THEY DEAL WITH ON A REGULAR BASIS
AND T COORDINATE ALL OTHER PAYMENTS WITH YOU… IN GENERAL, YOU
SHOULD NOT TRUST STRANGERS ASKING FOR MONEY UNLESS YOU ARE
FEELING VERY CHARITABLE…
HOME SWEET HOME: LAND
PURCHASE IN THE PHILIPPINES IN MOST CASES IS A GOOD
INVESTMENT; HOWEVER, THERE ARE PITFALLS THAT ONE SHOULD BE
AWARE OF... IF
YOU ARE A
FILIPINO CITIZEN OR
FORMER FILIPINO CITIZEN,
YOU ARE ALLOWED TO OWN LAND IN THE PI.... THE AMOUNT DEPENDS
ON YOUR CITIZENSHIP
STATUS : FORMER
FILIPINOS ARE LIMITED TO 5000SM
OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OR THREE HECTARES OF
FARMLAND..... IN
THE EVENT OF DEATH, LAND CAN BE INHERITED BY
THE FOREIGN
SPOUSE PROVIDING THERE IS A WILL; HOWEVER, THE FOREIGNER IS ONLY AUTHORIZED TO SELL THE PROPERTY
TO A FILIPINO... THE NAME OF THE FOREIGN SPOUSE SHOULD BE
INCLUDED IN THE TITLE... BEFORE ONE DECIDES TO PURCHASE PROPERTY IN THE PHILIPPINES,
AN ATTORNEY TO
RESEARCH THE TITLE IS A MUST
OR YOU MAY NOT OWN THE PROPERTY..... IF THE PROPERTY IS FOR YOUR HOME, BE SURE THAT
ALL TENANTS ARE MOVED OUT PRIOR TO PURCHASE; OTHERWISE, YOU MAY SPEND YEARS & MONEY (LOTS) TO GET THESE PEOPLE OFF YOUR PROPERTY (NOT LIKE U.S. LAWS)... ALSO, IF THE PROPERTY IS
TO BE LEFT VACANT, YOU MUST
HIRE A
CARETAKER/GUARD TO
KEEP THE SQUATTERS OUT... IF THEY MOVE IN, YOU HAVE A PROBLEM... YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY
TO GET THEM OFF YOUR PROPERTY AND THEN ONLY IF THEY AGREE TO GO...... THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM IN THE PHILIPPINES; EXAMPLE, ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE POPULATION OF METRO MANILA ARE SQUATTERS ACCORDING TO THE NEWSPAPERS..... LAST; DO NOT RELEASE FUNDS TO THE OWNER UNTIL ADVISED BY YOUR ATTORNEY...
HOME SECURITY: BREAK-INS ARE
PART OF LIFE... AS
MOST ARE AWARE, WE HAD THIS PROBLEM WHEN CLARK AFB WAS HERE AND WE CAN EXPECT
THESE SAME TYPE PROBLEMS TO CONTINUE IN THE FORESEEABLE
FUTURE... THERE
ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO TO
SLOW DOWN THESE PEOPLE LIKE BUILDING A HIGHER FENCE
WITH BARBED WIRE/BROKEN GLASS ON TOP OF THE WALL, A COUPLE OF
GOOD DOGS,
TELEPHONE, OUTSIDE LIGHTS, NEIGHBORHOOD
WATCH PROGRAM, POSSIBLY SHARE A GUARD WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS AND
GOOD LUCK... BE SURE TO REPORT ALL TO THE POLICE
AND GIVE ME A COPY OF THE REPORT... ALL DATA RECEIVED
WILL BE SHARED WITH THE U.S. EMBASSY,
MANILA....
MOVING TO ANGELES CITY, PI?: MILITARY RETIREES & ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL WHO ARE PLANNING ON MOVING TO THE PHILIPPINES WITH 15 DAYS MAY CHANGE THEIR MAIL ADDRESS TO :
NAME
PSC 517 BOX R C
FPO AP 96517-1000
BE ADVISED THAT THIS IS A RESTRICTED FPO AND LIMITED TO 1ST CLASS
MAIL UNDER 16OZS TO INCLUDE TRICARE MAIL
ORDER, PHARMACY PRESCRIPTIONS, BLANK CHECKS/
MAGAZINES/NEWSPAPERS/FAMILY VOICETAPES & HOME VIDEO’S (NO MERCHANDISE).... WE CAN ONLY HOLD YOUR MAIL FOR 15 DAYS...
RELOCATING TO
THE PHILIPPINES: WE
RECEIVE A LOT O
PSC 517 BOX R C
FPO AP 96517-1000
WE CAN EXTEND THE
15 DAYS UP TO 30 DAYS I
MOVING BACK TO
THE STATES OR GOING BACK FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT: IF YOU
ARE ELIGIBLE FOR TRICARE (CHAMPUS), YOU SHOULD REVIEW YOUR
OPTIONS IMMEDIATELY UPON ARRIVAL AT YOUR DESTINATION… IF YOU
SELECT TRICARE PRIME, THE COST WILL BE $230.00 PER PERSON OR
$460.00 PER FAMILY PER YEAR AND THEY WILL PICK UP MOST OF YOUR
BILLS… TO AVAIL OF THIS PROGRAM, YOU MUST ENROLL BEFORE THE 20TH
OF THE MONTH TO BE ELIGIBLE ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE FOLLOWING
MONTH… TRICARE STANDARD IS THE SAME AS YOU HAVE HERE, OBTAIN
TREATMENT AT A PARTICIPATING HOSPITAL/CLINIC, PAY YOUR SHARE
OF THE BILL (25% FOR RETIRED UNLESS YOU HAVE SUPPLEMENTAL
INSURANCE)… TRICARE EXTRA; 5% CHEAPER THAN TRICARE STANDARD IF
YOU USE A TRICARE PRIME PROVIDER… YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SIGN UP
FOR TRICARE STANDARD OR EXTRA; HOWEVER, YOU DO FOR TRICARE
PRIME… TRICARE PRIME APPEARS TO BE THE BEST OPTION IF YOU
ANTICIPATE MEDICAL PROBLEMS… TFL MEMBER AFTER 01 OCT 01 WILL
AUTOMATICALLY HAVE FULL BENEFITS IN THE UNITED STATES…
HOME REPAIRS IN
THE PHILIPPINES: ALWAYS A
PROBLEM IN
FINDING SOMEONE WHO WILL PERFORM REPAIR WORK AS AGREED… ANY REPAIRS THAT
TAKE OVER ONE DAY TO COMPLETE SHOULD HAVE A CONTRACT AND
SOMETIMES THIS DOES NOT WORK TOO WELL EITHER… AT LEAST, GET THE
NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE WORKMAN AND AGREE UPON A PRICE BEFORE
ANY WORK IS COMPLETED… ALWAYS
BEST TO HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FROM A SATISFIED CUSTOMER… NEVER PAY IN ADVANCE
OR ALLOW THE WORKMAN TO PICK UP THE MATERIAL… SHOULD PICK UP
MATERIAL YOURSELF OR HAVE DELIVERED BY THE STORE (DON’T FORGET
TO ASK FOR A DISCOUNT AND THAT WILL USUALLY OFFSET ANY
DELIVERY CHARGE)… ALSO
GOOD NOT TO ALLOW
MORE THAN ONE REPAIRMAN IN YOUR HOUSE UNLESS YOU HAVE FAMILY
MEMBERS WHO CAN WATCH EACH ONE…
WHEN WORK IS COMPLETED, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ACCOUNTED
FOR ALL YOUR TOOLS THEY MAY HAVE USED AND EXCESS MATERIAL…
DON’T TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED AND JUST MAYBE ALL WILL WORK
OUT AS PLANNED… WE CAN RECOMMEND SOME REPAIRMEN; HOWEVER, YOU
SHOULD STILL REMAIN ALERT… ANYTIME WE RECOMMEND A WORKMAN, WE
WOULD LIKE YOUR COMMENTS AFTER
THE JOB HAS
BEEN COMPLETED…
HOUSING: NEED TO PLAN AHEAD… AS WE KNOW, RENT IS GOING TO KEEP GOING UP WITH CLARK
INDUSTRIALIZATION... SHOULD PURCHASE A HOUSE (I
SEMISKILLED
WORKERS: WE CAN
GIVE YOU A REFERRAL TO CARPENTER, PAINTER, LANDSCAPING,
MASONRY WORKER PLUS A ELECTRICIAN AVAILABLE IF YOU NEED SOME
WORK DONE AROUND YOUR HOUSE/OFFICE... PAY IS AROUND EIGHT
BUCKS A DAY AND THE ELECTRICIAN WORKS BY SERVICE CALL OR
CONTACT... THESE WORKMEN DO NOT WORK
FOR THE RAO; HOWEVER,
I WOULD LIKE A
REPORT ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION TO DETERMINE IF WE SHOULD
CONTINUE TO RECOMMEND THEIR SERVICE...
SAFETY HELMETS
FOR MOTOR BIKES OPERATORS: THE
LOCAL POLICE HAVE STARTED ENFORCING THIS POLICY AND EXPECT TO
BE STOPPED IF NOT IN COMPLIANCE…
FPO PROCEDURES: RECEIVED
THE FOLLOWING LETTER FROM THE U.S. EMBASSY POSTMASTER
CONCERNING UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE FPO. “There is a new trend
of mail arriving here to the FPO that is over 16 ounces and
not first class in nature (i.e., T-shirts, gifts, and so on)
that is addressed to a RAO member, with a return address of
either that member or another member, usually with a postmark
of somewhere in the states. This addressing technique is not a
"loop hole" for the 16 ounce rule. Please advice your
members that these items are not being delivered because they
think the return address of a given R box will "force" us to
deliver the items or force us to return to item to the R
address. We ARE sending these items to the USPS DEAD LETTER/PARCEL
BRANCH! Please put this info in your next news letter
and please mention at your next general meetings. I do expect
more will get the word via your new letters, but please cover
all angles so your members know what is happening to their
items and they'll save themselves or those sending the items
money in the long run.”
FPO MAIL CHECK
VIA TELEPHONE: WE
HAVE INSTALLED A DIGITAL TELEPHONE LINE IN OUR POST OFFICE,
(892 -0817) SO YOU CAN CHECK MAIL FROM YOUR LOCAL WATERING
HOLE WITHOUT LOOSING YOUR
SEAT OR FIGHTING TRAFFIC.... JUST ANOTHER SERVICE FOR
OUR AMERICAN COMMUNITY...
ALSO HAVE A PUBLIC PAY TELEPHONE FOR DOMESTIC CALLS AT
THE POST OFFICE....
FPO PRIVILEGES: WE HAVE
BEEN ADVISED BY THE FLEET POST OFFICE MANILA THAT ANY MAIL
RECEIVED MUST MEET THE WEIGHT AND CONTENT RESTRICTIONS
ESTABLISHED BY DOD OR WILL RETURNED/SENT TO THE DEAD MAIL
BRANCH IN YOKOHAMA, JAPAN... PLEASE ADVISE ALL WHOM YOU
CORRESPOND THAT THE FPO ONLY ALLOWS FIRST CLASS MAIL INCLUDING
VOICE AND VIDEO CASSETTES, NEWSPAPER, MAGAZINES, PHOTOGRAPHS
AND THE WEIGHT CANNOT EXCEED 16OZ.... CANNOT
RECEIVE ANY MERCHANDISE EXCEPT PHARMACY FROM THE NATIONAL MAIL
ORDER PHARMACY (EXPRESS SCRIPT)... SHOULD ALSO PROVIDE THE
PEOPLE WHOM YOU CORRESPOND WITH THE “EXACT FPO ADDRESS”... EXAMPLE; IF SOMEONE
ADDS PHILIPPINES TO THE FPO ADDRESS THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS
DELAYS/LOSS AS THE LETTER WILL BE SENT VIA THE INTERNATIONAL
MAIL SYSTEM INSTEAD OF THE FPO... IMPORTANT MAIL: REGULAR MAIL CANNOT BE
TRACED IN EVENT OF LOSS AND IMPORTANT MAIL SHOULD BE SENT VIA
SPECIAL HANDLING... NEVER SEND CASH VIA MAIL...
FPO PRIVELEGES
EXPANDED: FPO
MEMBERS ARE NOW ALLOWED SEND MAIL TO APO/FPO’S WORLDWIDE FREE
EXCEPT THE ONES LISTED ON ATTACHMENT #12 (SEE WEBSITE www2.mozcom.com/~rao_cabr...
ENJOY YOUR FREE POSTAGE...
FPO 96517 MAIL
PRIVILEDGES: LOT OF
OUR NEWCOMERS ARE SURPRISED TO DISCOVER THEY COULD NOT RECEIVE
THE SAME FPO PRIVILEDGES AS THEY DID ON ACTIVE DUTY... GUESS
GETTING OLD AND NOT HAVING FULL FPO PRIVILEDGES IS THE
DOWNDOWN SIDE OF BEING RETIRED; HOWEVER, WITH ALL THE PLUSES
OF BEING RETIRED THAT ISN’T TOO BAD... PLEASE REMEMBER THAT
ALL WE ARE ALLOWED TO RECEIVE VIA THE FPO IS FIRST-CLASS MAIL
CORRESPONDENCE (INCLUDING VOICE AND VIDEO CASSETTS),
NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, PHOTOGRAPHS, NOT EXCEEDING 16 OUNCES,
WHEN ADDRESSED TO BOX R PLUS CHECK BOOKS FROM YOUR BANK AND
MEDICATION FROM THE NATIONAL MAIL ORDER PHARMACY (EXPRESS
SCRIPT ONLY)... NOTE:
ANY AND ALL
MAIL THAT SUPERCEDES THESE RESTRICTIONS MAY BE RETURNED TO
SENDER BY THE EMBASSY POST OFFICE MANILA OR FORWARDED TO THE
DEAD MAIL BRANCH IN YOKOHAMA, JAPAN... PLEASE NOTIFY PEOPLE TO
WHOM YOU CORRESPOND OF THIS POLICY... FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT
AUTHORIZED FPO PRIVILEDGES WE HAVE AN ALTERNATE AND RELIABLE
SYSTEM TO RECEIVE MAIL... THIS SYSTEM CAN ALSO BE USE BY FPO
MEMBERS (FREE) TO RECEIVE ITEMS NOT AUTHORIZED TO BE MAILED
VIA THE FPO...
WEBSITES: FOR THOSE
WHO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT FILIPINO ARTS,
ENTERTAINMENT, CURRENT ISSUES, CONTEMPORARY FILIPINO LIFE AND
PLACES OF INTEREST
IN MANILA, WEBSITES LegManila.com AND ClicktheCity.com IS A
GOOD PLACE TO START...
PHILIPPINE
NEWSPAPER WEB SITES: FOR
THOSE OUTSIDE OF THE PHILIPPINES THAT WOULD LIKE TO KEEP UP ON LOCAL NEWS, YOU
CAN ACCESS THE PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER AT: www.inquirer.net, THE
MANILA BULLETIN AT: http://www.mb.com.ph AND SUN STAR
PAMPANGA www.sunstar.com/ph/pampanga
SUGGESTIONS: I
CLARK
AIR BASE REGION
