Federal Daily - August 14, 2008

DoD Extends TRICARE Waiver for Guard, Reservists

DoD on Aug. 12 made permanent its authority to waive the annual TRICARE deductibles for eligible dependents of reservists and National Guard members who are called to active duty for more than 30 days. In a final rule published in the Federal Register, DoD made permanent a temporary waiver authority established in the 2005 National Defense Authorization Act. The waiver applies only to participants in TRICARE Standard or Extra, but not TRICARE Prime. The TRICARE Standard/Extra annual deductible for active-duty family members is $150 per individual and $300 per family. DoD noted that the waiver was partly in consideration that many reservists may have already paid annual deductibles under their civilian health plan prior to being called up. The rule also allows TRICARE to pay up to 115 percent of the TRICARE maximum allowable charge for services supplied by health care providers that are not part of the TRICARE network. This change allows reservists to continue to see their civilian providers with whom they have established a pre-call-up relationship, the notice said. “These provisions help ensure timely access to health care and maintain clinically appropriate continuity of health care to family members of reservists and Guardsmen activated in support of a federal/contingency operation,” the notice said. To see more, go to: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-18597.htm.

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Advisory Panel to Review DCAA Procedures

DoD announced on Aug. 13 that the Defense Business Board (DBB)—an independent federal advisory committee composed of senior business executives—will review the overall performance of the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). The Government Accountability Office (GAO) last month released a critical report citing examples where pressure by contractors and senior agency auditors at DCAA led to changes in initial audit reports. The DBB review panel, which will be supported by subject matter experts, will review DCAA procedures and make recommendations for improvements at the agency, DoD said in a statement. The panel expects to have its recommendations within 60 days from the start of the review and will share its findings with the department’s senior leadership, and with congressional defense oversight committees. To see more, go to: www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12139.

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DoD: Servicemembers May Recoup Some Baggage Fees

In response to criticism from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), DoD has updated a fact sheet noting that servicemembers may be able to recoup all or part of a new $100 fee some airlines are charging soldiers for checking in a third piece of luggage. VFW Commander-in-Chief George J. Lisicki last week asked the Air Transport Association (ATA) to request that its member airlines exempt military personnel traveling on official orders from paying baggage fees on a third piece of luggage. DoD said that servicemembers’ commands will reimburse any fees charged for the first checked bag, but that commands have discretion to limit how much it will pay for additional luggage depending on the length of the travel and mission requirements. To claim reimbursement, the traveler must submit the receipt and claim the charge on a travel voucher, DoD said. All major U.S. carriers currently waive baggage fees for up to two bags for military members traveling under orders. To see more, go to: www.ngb.army.mil/news/archives/2008/08/081208-excess_fees.aspx.

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