JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
More Insurance Available
Veterans with Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) may increase their coverage to the maximum amount under the Service members' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program. Approximately 70 percent of veterans with VGLI are under age 60 and have less than $400,000 of coverage. Veterans can increase their coverage by $25,000 at each five-year anniversary date of their policy up to $400,000.
VGLI allows newly discharged veterans to convert SGLI coverage they had on active duty to a civilian program. Previously, the VGLI was limited to the amount of SGLI they had at the time of separation. Those discharged prior to Sept. 1, 2005 were limited to $250,000 VGLI. Now, on their first five-year anniversary, these veterans can increase their coverage to $275,000.
On their next five-year anniversary, they can increase the coverage to $300,000, and so forth. The veteran's health is not an issue. Eligible veterans are notified of this opportunity a week before the start of the 120-day period prior to their anniversary date, and twice more before the actual anniversary date. For more information, visit www.va.gov or call 800-827-1000.
Bariatric Surgery and Obesity
A study comparing longevity to bariatric surgery in mostly obese male patients showed the surgery was not significantly associated with decreased mortality. In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the prevalence of obesity.
Bariatric surgery is the most effective way for severely obese patients to achieve weight loss. The study compared mortality rates for 850 obese veterans who had received the procedure at one of 12 VA bariatric surgery centers between 2000 and 2006.
These veterans were considered to be "high-risk" due to older age and greater weight in comparison to more than 41,000 obese veterans who had not received bariatric surgery, but had used VA outpatient services.
The study also compared mortality rates for 847 obese veterans who had received bariatric surgery and 847 matched obese veterans who had not received bariatric surgery. Despite this study's findings, study investigators are not suggesting VA stop doing bariatric surgery for certain patients.
Significant weight loss improved disease control and quality of life for patients are among many reasons why patients like those in our study may still want to undergo bariatric surgery, according to the study's lead investigator.
Air Force Newsletter
The Afterburner, an Air Force retiree newsletter, is published three times a year by Air Force Retiree Services (AFPC/DPSIAR), Randolph Air Force Base, Texas when funding permits.
Recipients include Air Force retirees, un-remarried surviving spouses of retirees and un-remarried non-annuitant surviving spouses of deceased Air Force members. The Afterburner is also available at www.retirees.af.mil.
Retiree Services uses addresses maintained by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service to create mailing labels.
Pharmacy Search Tool
Beneficiaries and providers may use the new Tricare formulary search tool to find the most up-to-date information about prescription medications.
Once a user has identified if a drug is available, they can use the search tool to get information such as restriction on use and which tier the drug is in.
As an added benefit, this tool has integrated the Prior Authorization and Medical Necessity Forms and criteria into a search engine.
The search tool is available at http://pec.ha.osd.mil/formulary_search.php.