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Military Pharmacies Restored to Full Operations After Change Healthcare Cyberattack

By TRICARE Communications; FALLS CHURCH, Va.  –  Military pharmacies have returned to normal operations after a cyberattack in February. This attack was on the nation’s largest commercial prescription processor, Change Healthcare (CHC).

On Feb. 21, CHC disconnected its systems due to a breach in their network. This outage temporarily prevented affected military pharmacies and some retail pharmacies nationally from processing claims and filling prescriptions.

Military pharmacies quickly adapted. They shifted to using offline processes to ensure prescriptions were filled safely. These internal downtime operations procedures and manual checks ensured that prescriptions were processed safely for patients. These checks included validating the correct medications and dosages.

As of Apr. 2, the connection to CHC is restored. Military pharmacies have returned to standard operations. They’re now able to process claims through Express Scripts. Express Scripts is the TRICARE pharmacy contractor.

“Our priority was to ensure that beneficiaries could access medications during this time. We’re proud of our team’s hard work to fill prescriptions. And we’re happy to resume routine operations now,” said Edward Norton, Jr., Pharmacy Operations Division chief at the Defense Health Agency.

Did you have to file a pharmacy claim? You can learn more about pharmacy claims. Or you can contact Express Scripts.

Do you have questions about filling your prescriptions? You can contact your local military pharmacy or TRICARE retail network pharmacy.

Want to learn more? You can visit TRICARE prescription drug coverage and pharmacy options.

Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit TRICARE Subscriptions, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.

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MOAA’s Legislative Update – Online Event

Want to know more about recent legislation that may affect your service-earned benefits, or MOAA’s priorities for the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act and the remainder of the 118th Congress … and beyond? 

On April 23, 2024 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT, join MOAA’s financial and benefits professional – Capt. Paul Frost, USN (Ret), AFC® — for a comprehensive review of these topics and others, including:

  • A recap of MOAA’s April 17 Advocacy in Action event, where members from across the nation joined MOAA staffers on Capitol Hill to bring our legislative priorities to congressional offices in person.
  • A look at where our federal dollars are spent.
  • A review of the military experience of our legislators.
  • A compilation of recent legislative wins and losses involving veterans benefits. 
  • A deep dive into resources from MOAA to help you understand your benefits and our advocacy efforts, including our COLA Watch and Legislative Action Center.

Can’t make the webinar? No problem. Register now and we’ll send you a link to the recording.

MOAA Premium and Life members have access to all recorded MOAA webinars at any time via MOAA’s Webinar Archive. Want to join MOAA? See MOAA.org/join for details.

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Upcoming Dates of Interest for 2024

Virtual Zoom meetings will be used for some events. Board meetings begin at Noon; Monthly meetings begin with social time that starts at 11 AM. The business meeting, luncheon, and a speaker follow beginning at 11:30 AM.

  • Kitsap Area Veteran’s Alliance (KAVA). April 27, 2024 – Kitsap Chapter Chaplain Larry Walls will give the invocation and Bremerton NJROTC will provide the Color Guard
  • Monthly Board Meeting Tuesday, May 7, 2024 via Zoom at Noon
  • Monthly Luncheon Armed Forces Day Luncheon, Friday, May 17, 2024 at Bangor Plaza Conference Center. Bremerton NJROTC will provide the Color Guard. Reservations are due May 9th
  • Monthly Board Meeting Tuesday, June 4, 2024 via Zoom at Noon
  • Monthly Luncheon, Friday, June 28, 2024 at Bangor Plaza Conference Center. 

Email KitsapMOAA@gmail.com to get an invitation to Zoom for Virtual meetings and to reply to attend Luncheons. Members who fail to cancel and are “no-shows” will be expected to pay for the meal.

Caregiver Support Program – Two Programs: What’s the Difference?

The Caregiver Support Program is comprised of 2 separate programs;

What is the Program of General Caregiver Support Services? (PGCSS)

PGCSS is the core of VA’s Caregiver Support  Program (CSP). The program provides peer  support mentoring, skills training, coaching,  telephone support, online programs, and referrals to available resources to caregivers of Veterans. The Veteran must be enrolled in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and be receiving assistance from a caregiver  in order for the caregiver to participate.

To enroll, please reach out to the facility Caregiver Support Team or request a referral from the  Veteran’s provider

Learn more about PGCSS

What is the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers? (PCAFC)

PCAFC offers enhanced clinical support and services for caregivers of eligible Veterans who have a serious injury (or illness) and require in-person personal care services among other requirements. 

Learn more about PCAFC

Military Health System Leader Shares His Vision for Collaboration Between the Military Health System and Department of Veterans Affairs

The Military Health System and the Veterans Health Administration are two of the nation’s largest and most complex health care institutions. While the missions of the two systems are unique, there are similarities between their patient populations.

Dr. Paul Cordts, the Defense Health Agency’sopens DHA’s Strategic Plan chief medical officer and deputy assistant director of medical affairs, addressed the ongoing collaboration between MHS and the VHA in a presentation at the annual meeting of AMSUS, the Society of Federal Health Professionals. The meeting was held in National Harbor, Maryland, in February 2024.

In his presentation, Cordts outlined several areas where the MHS and VHA are working together to modernize and improve patient care. Two of the programs that would be of interest to the Kitsap Chapter members are included in this posting. For more detailed descriptions of these efforts and others mentioned by Dr. Paul Cordts at the at the annual meeting of AMSUS, the Society of Federal Health Professionals go to https://www.health.mil/News/Dvids-Articles/2024/03/23/news466898?utm_medium=govdelivery&utm_source=email

Increasing VA Health Care for Veterans. The VA and the DOD announced a new partnershipopens VA.gov on February 23 to allow veterans to receive care at the Fort Campbell VA Clinicopens VA.gov inside the Blanchfield Army Community Hospital located on Fort Campbell, Tennessee. A similar partnership began at Naval Hospital Pensacola, Florida, in October 2023. These are two of several more planned for the future across the country in a continuing effort to meet the demand for VA health care services and address challenges associated with aging facilities.

Separating from Active Duty Programs. Cordts summarized three programs that support both service members and veterans, including:

Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS)

The Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) is composed of civilian women and men appointed by the Secretary of Defense to provide advice and recommendations on matters and policies relating to the recruitment, retention, employment, integration, well-being, and treatment of women in the Armed Forces of the United States.

DACOWITS gathers information from multiple sources, to include briefings and written responses from Defense Department, Service-level military representatives, and subject matter experts. In addition, the Committee collects qualitative data from focus groups and interactions with Service members during installation visits. To evenly distribute the research, the Committee is structured into three subcommittees: Recruitment and Retention, Employment and Integration, and Well-Being and Treatment. Based upon the data collected and analyzed, the Committee submits recommendations and continuing concerns via a comprehensive report to the Secretary of Defense.

As one of the oldest Defense Department advisory committees, DACOWITS’ recommendations have historically been instrumental in effecting changes to laws and policies pertaining to military women. Since 1951, the Committee has submitted over 1,000 recommendations to the Secretary of Defense for consideration. As of 2023, approximately 95% have been either fully or partially adopted by the Department.

QUICK LINKS

VA makes historic commitments to hire and support military spouses

On March 6, the Department of Veterans Affairs signed the 4+1 Commitment – a partnership between government and private employers developed by Blue Star Families, Hiring Our Heroes, and Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership to hire and support military spouses.

This commitment, championed by Dr. Jill Biden, is a voluntary commitment by employers to adopt at least one of the following military spouse employment policies that could expand employment and career opportunities for military spouses: 1) facilitate job transferability; 2) offer remote or telework; 3) offer flexible work hours; 4) provide paid or permissive Permanent Change of Station (PCS) leave. VA has committed to all four of those policies, as well as extending Leave Without Pay status to military spouses whose active-duty military members receive PCS orders.

This effort is part of President Biden’s Executive Order 14100, “Advancing Economic Security for Military and Veteran Spouses, Military Caregivers, and Survivors,” a plan to address unemployment for the 16,000+ military-connected spouses in the federal workforce.

“To build the strongest possible workforce to serve our nation’s heroes, we need to hire and support military spouses – many of whom are Veterans themselves,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “We at VA are proud to make these commitments and support our nation’s military spouses every way we can.”

“As a military spouse, I know firsthand that these commitments will make a real difference,” said VA Chief of Staff Kimberly Jackson. “Military spouses are some of the most talented and dedicated professionals in the public and private sector, and by making these commitments, VA will be better positioned to recruit and retain these public servants as we execute our nation’s most sacred obligation: caring for Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.”

While VA will continue to work to fulfill the 4+1 commitments, VA already supports military spouses in many ways, including:

Facilitating job transferability: VA supports the reassignment of military spouses to vacant funded positions for which they are qualified when required to move as part of the service member’s military service. Military spouse employees will be offered leave without pay in instances where reassignment is not feasible. 

Offering remote or telework: VA offers telework and remote work positions into which military spouses can be appointed. VA uses the remote jobs filter on USAJobs to post these announcements, making it easier for military spouses to find these employment opportunities with VA. Additionally, VA policies allow employees to request authorization for telework if their spouse in the military received orders for reassignment or relocation.

Domestic Employees Teleworking Overseas (DETO) policy and program: VA currently supports employees on approved DETO agreements, which allows employees to receive authorization from VA and the Department of State to work overseas if their spouse in the military received orders for an overseas assignment.

Offering flexible work hours: Recognizing the ever-changing demands of military life, VA policy provides military spouses opportunities to request flexible work hours or compressed work schedules.

Providing paid or permissive PCS leave: VA leave approving officials can approve up to five paid administrative leave days for PCS.

DoD’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership: VA has been a part of MSEP since Fall 2019.

For details go to https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-makes-historic-commitments-to-hire-and-support-military-spouses/

Women Veteran Resource Fair – May 11 2024

A Women Veteran Resource Fair is being hosted at AMVets Post 1 on 5/11/2024 from 10am to 3pm in Tacoma. We would like to invite you, family, and friends to join the event! We are hoping to make this a fun family friendly event with a raffle for our Women Veterans and service members, mini-baby shower, and carnival style activities or crafts for children. If you are interested in the event please join us and celebrate! Please feel free to advertise using the attached flyer! Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to discuss!

Sarah S. Anderson, Women Veterans Health PSA, CMA, General Medicine Service, VA Puget Sound Health Care System; WVP Team PH: 206-764-2441, Office PH: 206-716-5722  or ext: 65722, Work Cell: 206-928-4367

See What’s in Store for the TRICARE Pharmacy Program in 2024

From TRICARE Communications here are some TRICARE Pharmacy Program updates to note.

2024 cost updates

Your options for filling your prescriptions are military pharmacies, TRICARE Home Delivery, retail network pharmacies, and non-network pharmacies. Prescription copayments for most beneficiaries changed on Jan. 1. To see your costs, check out the TRICARE Costs and Fees Fact Sheet. As noted in this fact sheet, active duty service members (ADSMs) pay nothing for covered drugs from military pharmacies, home delivery, and retail network pharmacies. Want to know the copayment for your prescription? Check the TRICARE Formulary Search Tool. You can search for your drug to see if it’s covered, how much it will cost, and where you can get it.

Military pharmacy tools. If you get prescriptions at a military pharmacy, you may be able to use certain tools to avoid long pick-up lines. Check with your military pharmacy to see if it offers these tools:

Q-Anywhere lets you quickly activate a new prescription by texting your military pharmacy or scanning your pharmacy’s unique QR code. You’ll get a text when your prescription is ready for pick-up. 

ScriptCenters are automated kiosks and locker systems that give you a safe, secure way to pick up prescriptions. You can use them to pick up prescriptions after hours or avoid crowds at the pharmacy. Each location sets its own hours, but some are open 24/7.

TRICARE Home Delivery is a convenient way to have up to a 90-day supply of medication shipped right to you. With home delivery, you can manage your prescriptions from the Express Scripts Pharmacy Mobile App. You’ll also have 24/7 access to pharmacists who can answer questions about your prescription.

The TRICARE Pharmacy Program is also making sure that you only receive your medications when you need them. Express Scripts requires you to give consent on every refill in the Automatic Refill Program. You’ll need to consent via email, text message, or phone call before Express Scripts will fill your prescription.

Specialty drugs changes. Effective March 1, Accredo provides specialty drugs and enhanced clinical services if you fill TRICARE-defined specialty prescriptions with TRICARE Home Delivery. Accredo is in the TRICARE network as a retail pharmacy. With Accredo, you have 24/7 access to a clinical care team who can help you manage your treatment with specialty drugs. These expanded services are provided at no extra cost beyond your TRICARE cost-share. This change improves cost efficiency in the Military Health System (MHS). Increasing the use of home delivery helps the MHS keep your prescription costs lower. If you already get your specialty drug through home delivery, your prescription has been transferred to Accredo. If you were getting your prescription at a network pharmacy, Express Scripts contacted you. To contact Accredo, call 1-877-882-3324. An Accredo patient care advocate will work with you and your military or civilian prescriber as needed. To learn more, go to Accredo.

TRICARE retail network pharmacies. Looking for a retail network pharmacy in your area? You may find that there’s a network pharmacy closer than you thought. TPharm5 network access standards state there must be at least one pharmacy within 15 minutes driving time of 90% of TRICARE beneficiaries. It’s easy to find a retail network pharmacy near you with the Express Scripts Find a Pharmacy tool. Enter your ZIP code to see a map of network pharmacies nearby. Stay updated on your pharmacy benefit throughout 2024.

Read more about the TRICARE Pharmacy Program or attend the March 14 pharmacy webinar.

Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit TRICARE Subscriptions, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.

VA Caregiver Support Program

The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Caregiver Support Program (CSP) offers clinical services to caregivers of eligible and covered Veterans enrolled in the VA health care system. The program’s mission is to promote the health and well-being of family caregivers who care for our Nation’s Veterans, through education, resources, support, and services. There is a CSP team CSP Team Locator located at every VA facilities .

The Caregiver Support Program is comprised of 2 separate programs;

  • Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS). PGCSS is the core of VA’s Caregiver Support Program (CSP). The program provides peer support mentoring, skills training, coaching, telephone support, online programs, and referrals to available resources to caregivers of Veterans. The Veteran must be enrolled in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and be receiving assistance from a caregiver in order for the caregiver to participate
  • Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). PCAFC offers enhanced clinical support and services for caregivers of eligible Veterans who have a serious injury (or illness) and require in-person personal care services among other requirements. 

Call VA’s Caregiver Support Line (CSL) at 1-855-260-3274 to learn more about the support that is available to you, and for assistance connecting with the Caregiver Support Team/Coordinator, at your local VA Medical Center.

MOAA’s Legislative Priorities for the 118th Congress

As the legislative slate is wiped clean for the 118th Congress, grassroots support becomes even more vital to achieving MOAA’s advocacy objectives.

MOAA needs your help to keep momentum for existing priorities such as the Major Richard Star Act, which would benefit tens of thousands of combat-injured veterans and had the support of two-thirds of Congress at the end of last session. We also need your work on behalf of new objectives and emergent issues, often via immediate action to keep up with the stop-and-go pace of legislation. To keep connected, ensure you are signed up for The MOAA Newsletter and register as an advocate at our Legislative Action Center.

Here is a look at MOAA’s priorities, in support of the 50th anniversary of our all-volunteer force and to address the challenges facing our uniformed community. Note: Our advocacy team remains active on many other issues not listed here; our priorities will be shaped throughout the year depending on concurrent successes or emerging issues that warrant an all-hands approach. Additionally, we share many interests with The Military Coalition and other stakeholder groups and leverage those relationships to expand our reach on Capitol Hill.

For more details, go to https://www.moaa.org/content/publications-and-media/news-articles/2023-news-articles/advocacy/moaas-legislative-priorities-118th-Congress/

ADVOCACY-Legislation Action Center ! Go to https://moaa.quorum.us/ to weigh in on MOAA’s legislative priorities with our legislators. Use code WA02 when asked for chapter number.