(The following is provided as a public service from the Fort Huachuca Retiree Council and was written by Melanie Mouras)
TRICARE Pharmacy phone number changes
The TRICARE Retail Pharmacy and Home Delivery program coverage areas have merged, and their phone numbers have changed. Beneficiaries should now call, toll-free, 1.877.363.1303 for pharmacy and home delivery concerns, to update information, or to ask questions about TRICARE prescription drug benefits. TRICARE officials also remind beneficiaries that converting their prescriptions to home delivery over the phone takes about seven minutes, and their first drug shipment should arrive about 14 days after that.
Commissary announces closure
The Commissary will be closed Easter Sunday and Monday, April 8 and 9.
March for mental health
The National Alliance on Mental Illness will hold its first annual Southeastern Arizona March for Mental Health on May 5. The 5-kilometer march will begin at Apache Middle School, 3305 East Fry Boulevard in Sierra Vista, with registration beginning at 7 a.m. and the march following at 8 a.m. Sign up online at www.marchformentalhealth.com, or get more information by calling 459.3228 or the toll-free number, 1.800.380.2322.
DVA launches handbook
In early March, the Department of Veterans Affairs began mailing a personalized Veteran Health Benefits Handbook to all veterans enrolled in VA health care. The new handbook, tailored specifically for each veteran, provides a personalized listing of health benefits based on his or her specific eligibility. The handbook contains contact information for local VA medical facilities, appointment scheduling information, guidelines for communicating with the veteran’s clinical team and, as applicable, information about co-pays.
Veterans will receive their personalized handbooks via U.S. mail as part of a national rollout campaign based on priority group, beginning with Priority Group 1 and ending with Priority Group 8. The VA estimates it will take around 16 months to get the handbooks to everyone.
In the near future, the VA will develop an online version of the handbook to access via MyHealtheVet, allowing veterans to access up-to-date health benefit information anywhere, anytime. For more information, visit the VA’s Health Benefits Handbook webpage at www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhbh or call the VA’s toll-free number at 1.877.222.VETS (8387).
Blood program seeks donors
The Armed Service Blood Program continually seeks blood and platelet donors. An individual can donate platelets every two weeks, up to 24 times per year, but must wait eight weeks between donations if giving regular blood. For more information, visit the ASBP website, www.militaryblood.dod.mil.
Try our website of the month
The VA’s National Center for Patient Safety offers a free, downloadable pamphlet designed to educate patients on what will happen before surgery and how caregivers will ensure safe and correct surgery. The “Ensuring Correct Surgery” pamphlet includes space for patients to record their medication information and the answers to various surgery-related questions. The pamphlet is available online at www.patientsafety.gov/SafetyTopics/CorrectSurg/CorrSurgPt.pdf.
