Bulletin 23 – 15 (07 SEP 2023 Edition)
Military Funeral Honors Ribbon approved and awarded to the Air and Army National Guard MFH teams by TAG MG Fran Evon on Wednesday, AUG 30th, 2023:
Attached is our 169th Infantry Regiment Newsletter, which announces our Annual Reunion/Luncheon. The Reunion will be held on October 22, 2023 at George’s Pizza & Restaurant, Unionville, CT . This year will mark the 38th Anniversary of the Reunion that was started by WWII and Korean War veterans who got together on an annual basis to reminisce about their service in the Regiment. With the passing of Sal Orlando, he is the last WWII veteran who attended the reunion. We only have a few more Korean War veterans still attending’. The flyer for the Brunch is included in the Newsletter. Thanks for all you do in keeping us “retirees” informed on what’s going on in the CTARNG, you do an awesome job! Roy
DOWNLOAD HERE: Flyer INF
Save the Date! The National Guard NGACT National Guard Association of CT is proud to present our Salute to the Troops Military Ball on March 23, 2024! Please be on the look out for details!
There are also opportunities for individuals and our Corporate Partners to help us defray the cost for our junior Service members to attend. Please contact me for additional information.
Please share and make widest possible distribution.
Thanks and I look forward to seeing you in March to say “Thank you” to our service members and Families!
** Gov. Ned Lamont announced a new initiative to encourage state residents to join the Connecticut National Guard.
DOWNLOAD JEEP FLYERS HERE: CT JEEP 500 Program Flyer 2 CT JEEP 500 Program Flyer 1
CT JEEP 500 ANNOUCEMENT
The Connecticut Military Department’s Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program (CT JEEP 500) begins on 1 July 2023. Each CTNG Guard Member (except for those members (and their relatives) who are assigned/attached to the 6th Recruiting and Retention Battalion), CTNG Retiree and CT Militia Member is eligible to become a Recruiting Assistant (RA). An RA who enrolls a lead in CT JEEP 500 will receive an allowance of $500 for each lead who enlists in the CTNG within 180 days of being enrolled into CT JEEP 500.
CT-JEEP 500 is a win-win-win. RAs receive a $500 allowance. The CTNG receives a new Soldier or Airman. The Lead receives membership in the CTNG. Help yourself by helping the CTNG get leads to enlist.
See attached flyers for additional information. Take a picture of the QR code on either flyer to upload your lead and get started.
Point of contact for this message is CPT Ryan Campbell, CTNG’s CT JEEP 500 Officer.
** A health care bill prompted by the death of a Bolton man who was serving in the U.S. Army Reserve has cleared its first hurdle toward making benefits for members of the National Guard and military reserves who die during training exercises equal to those received by active-duty soldiers…..
** The June 2023 issue of our quarterly Retiree Newsletter is now available online.
The newsletter includes an article on how to do an annual pay account checkup and an overview of new, simpler eligibility verifications for retirees and SBP annuitants. It also includes information on the SBP Open Season, which began in late December of 2022 and ends January 1, 2024, and a special spotlight article for Gray Area Retirees. Plus, helpful information from our partners.
To access the newsletter, please copy and paste the link below to your internet browser. You will find a list of topics in the newsletter with a brief description of each article. After copying and pasting the link to your internet browser, click on the link for the article you want to read, and the full text will appear.
We also have a downloadable PDF of the newsletter you can share with others in the military retiree community.
https://www.dfas.mil/
Sincerely,
DFAS Retired & Annuitant Pay
TRICARE Tips to Protect Your Teeth in a Dental Emergency
Aug. 29, 2023
Copayments, Cost-Shares, and Other TRICARE Costs You Should Know
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — When it comes to health care costs, “copayment,” “cost-share,” and “deductible” are terms you might hear a lot. But what do these terms mean, and how might they affect you?
Aug. 23, 2023
TRICARE Laboratory Developed Tests Demonstration Extended, Certain Tests Now Covered
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — The Defense Health Agency (DHA) announced the five-year extension of the Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs) Demonstration. This means that if you have TRICARE, you’ll continue to have access to certain LDTs that aren’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The DHA also announced that TRICARE will now cover several preconception and prenatal carrier screenings that were previously offered through the demonstration as part of the basic TRICARE benefit.
Aug. 17, 2023
Stay on Top of TRICARE Prescriptions With Express Scripts App
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Do you need help managing your prescriptions? Express Scripts, the TRICARE pharmacy contractor, has a free, easy-to-use app that can help. The Express Scripts Pharmacy mobile app is a secure way to stay on top of taking your medication. The app is full of useful features, like dose reminders and the ability to approve refills. Here’s a look at some of the ways the app can help you.
Aug. 15, 2023
Have Other Health Insurance? Here’s How It Works With TRICARE
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — If you have coverage in addition to TRICARE through your employer, your spouse’s employer, or a private insurance program, you have other health insurance (OHI). Certain OHI plans can affect your TRICARE health, dental, and pharmacy benefits. Here are six tips to help you learn how TRICARE works when you also use OHI.
Aug. 9, 2023
How To Find Your TRICARE Referrals
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — If you have a TRICARE Prime plan, referrals play a big role in how you get health care. A referral is when your primary care manager (PCM) sends you to see another provider. If your PCM needs to refer you to a civilian provider, your TRICARE regional contractor also plays a role in the referral process.
Aug. 2, 2023
Before Natural Disasters Strike, Know Your TRICARE Benefits
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — When the government issues a state of emergency, TRICARE may temporarily change its procedures to ensure that you receive timely medical care. Here’s what you need to know.
July 27, 2023
Understanding Medicare Part D and TRICARE Pharmacy Coverage
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — You may already have TRICARE For Life (TFL). Or perhaps you’re eligible to transition to this coverage soon. Either way, you may have questions about your TRICARE prescription drug coverage. For instance, you may wonder if you need to have Medicare Part D, Medicare’s prescription coverage. You don’t need Medicare Part D to have TFL. That’s because TFL has the same prescription drug coverage as other TRICARE health plans. (This doesn’t include the US Family Health Plan.)
July 25, 2023
Beat the Back-to-School Rush: TRICARE Preventive Health Checks for Kids
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — It helps to get required back-to-school health checks before the last minute. Summer vacation is also a perfect time to get other health care services for your kids, like dental and eye exams.
Learn How Qualifying Life Events Work at August 10 TRICARE Webinar
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — What do moving, getting married, having a baby, and retiring from active duty have in common? They’re all TRICARE Qualifying Life Events, also known as QLEs. QLEs can affect your TRICARE coverage. Join TRICARE Thursday, Aug. 10, from 1 to 2 p.m. ET for a webinar, “Moving, Marriage, and More: What TRICARE QLEs Mean for You.”
Preparing for a tropical storm or Hurricane
https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan
Better to be prepared than not……………………..
Advantages of SBP Coverage Dear Retiree: (Extracted from DFAS Newsletter)
You chose to make sure your family is taken care of with Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) coverage. Did you know that you chose a plan that has several advantages over term life insurance?
- SBP has monthly annuity Term life insurance is typically a one-time lump sum.
- SBP annuity payments have Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) Term life insurance payment does not increase when the cost of living increases.
- A spouse may get SBP/RCSBP payments for many years, receiving several times the amount paid in In fact, even if you pay SBP premiums for 30 years, your spouse would recoup all of the premiums you’ve paid within the first 2 years and 8 months.
Find out more about the advantages of SBP at: https://www.dfas.mil/sbpadvantages
Horse-Drawn Funerals at Arlington Suspended Until Mid-2024
Bill Guaranteeing Cost-of-Living Increase for Veterans in 2024 Heads to President’s Desk Legislation giving veterans a cost-of-living adjustment on benefits in 2024 — likely to result in an increase in payments — is headed to President Joe Biden’s desk for signature following an agreement by the House….
Army Echoes Now Available
Current edition: https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Documents/echoes/latest.pdf
Army Echoes is the Army’s official newsletter for Retired Soldiers and surviving spouses. This month’s featured articles include:
- The Army Chief of Staff Retired Soldier Council’s historic meeting
- Survivor Benefit Plan Open Season Update
- The VA disability rating and its full arsenal of benefits
- Gray Area Retired Soldier and ready for retired pay?
- Managing your retired pay allotments
- Use your military benefits for a great vacation
- Take advantage of your FEDVIP enrollment period
To contact the Army Echoes editor, send an email to ArmyEchoes@army.mil.
US Military Recreation Facilities (Excerpted from the “Stephanie at Poppin’ Smoke” newsletter) If you want a fun vacation that won’t break the bank, don’t forget that you can use your benefits to stay in military recreational lodging. Here are 17 ideas to get you started with your planning.
2023-2024 Calendar of Events
Thur 28 Sep 23 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Hangry Goose, 11 Halls Rd, Old Lyme.
Thur 26 OCT 23 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Athenian Diner, 864 Washington St, Middletown.
Thur 16 NOV 23 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Pops Family Restaurant, 134 Old Gate Rd, Milford.
Thur 14 DEC 23 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Hangry Goose, 11 Halls Rd, Old Lyme.
Thur 25 JAN 24 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Athenian Diner, 864 Washington St, Middletown.
Thur 29 FEB 24 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Pops Family Restaurant, 134 Old Gate Rd, Milford.
Thur 28 MAR 24 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Hangry Goose, 11 Halls Rd, Old Lyme.
Thur 25 APR 24 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Athenian Diner, 864 Washington St, Middletown.
Thur 30 MAY 23 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Pops Family Restaurant, 134 Old Gate Rd, Milford.
The National Guard Association of CT State Sponsored Life Insurance (SSLI)
- Up to $1,000,000 coverage available*
- Members covered in combat
- Covered 24/365
- Most valid claims paid within 24 to 48 hours of receipt of proof of loss
- All military occupations covered
- Spouse and Children coverage available
- Coverage does not end and rates DO NOT go up just because you separate from the National Guard
- SSLI can be payroll deducted from drill check or AGR payroll
- All SSLI group plans cover members while serving in the Connecticut National Guard including deployment
For coverage details including eligibility, benefits, rates, exclusions, limitations and renewal provisions please contact the plan administrator tollfree at 800-633-8333.
National Guard Association of Connecticut State Sponsored Life Insurance is provided under group life insurance policies issued to the Militia Insurance Trust (MIT). The
Guardian group life policy and the Uniformed Services Benefit Association (USBA) 10, 15 and 20 year level term life policies are underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company.
DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE: SSLI FLYER
Honor Flight Connecticut
A Hub of the National Honor Flight Network
Honor Flight CT recognizes American veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by flying them to Washington, DC to see THEIR memorials at no cost. Current priority is chronological by conflict (WWII, Korea and Vietnam) with special consideration given to terminally ill veterans from all wars. Guardians fly with the veterans on every flight providing assistance and helping veterans have a safe, memorable and rewarding experience.
Please note: Veterans are only eligible once for the Honor Flight experience.
Your information MUST be exactly as it appears on your ID For Airline Travel (License, Passport, Govt ID):
DOWNLOAD THE HONOR FLIGHT APPLICATION HERE:Honor Flight – HFCT Vet App
Please submit this form to:
Honor Flight Connecticut
c/o Amy Casey
26 Copperstone Lane
Madison, CT 06443
