Newsbytes October 4, 2024
In this issue:
Annual COLA Increase for Veterans Approved
VA Tele-emergency Care
VA employees improperly viewed health records of VP candidates
TRICARE Regions are Changing in 2025
Annual COLA Increase for Veterans Approved
As it does every year, Congress passed legislation (S. 7777) ensuring that veterans will receive a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in their benefits next year to guarantee they keep pace with inflation. Before leaving for an extended election-season break, the Senate approved the bill by voice vote, sending it to President Joe Biden's desk for his expected signature. The House had previously approved the bill by voice vote a week earlier. The official COLA for 2025 is scheduled to be announced on October 10.
VA Makes Tele-emergency Care Available Nationwide
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that tele-emergency care (tele-EC) is now available nationwide, increasing timely access to virtual emergency care for veterans enrolled in VA health care. This expansion of care — piloted in recent months — has already shown promise, helping more than 61,182 callers, with a 59.4% case resolution rate (meaning veterans’ needs were resolved without them needing to travel to urgent care or an emergency department).
Tele-emergency care is part of VA Health Connect, a nationwide phone service. Veterans who contact VA Health Connect will speak with a clinical triage nurse, who will connect them to tele-emergency care when clinically appropriate. Tele-EC providers will evaluate the veteran via phone or video and recommend treatment or follow-up care, including in-person visits if necessary. In life-threatening emergencies, the clinical triage nurse will call 911 and remain on the line until help arrives. It is important to note that veterans experiencing a life-threatening emergency should immediately contact 911, rather than seek support through tele-EC.
Veterans enrolled in VA health care can now access tele-EC nationwide by calling VA Health Connect or using the VA Health Chat app. Veterans can find their local VA Health Connect number by searching for their facility.
VA Employees Improperly Viewed Health Records of VP Candidates
According to The Washington Post, several Department of Veterans Affairs employees improperly accessed the veterans' records of vice presidential candidates Governor Tim Walz (Minn.) and U.S. Senator JD Vance (Ohio) in recent months, prompting a U.S. Department of Justice investigation. In a statement, VA press secretary Terrence Hayes said the matter was referred to the Justice Department as soon as VA leaders became aware of the issue. Neither campaign has made any public comments. Walz served for 24 years in the Army National Guard, while Vance served in the Marine Corps for four years.
In an August letter to VA staff, VA Secretary Denis McDonough warned that privacy rules regarding veterans' records must be strictly followed to maintain patient trust. “Viewing a veteran’s records out of curiosity or concern — or for any purpose not directly related to officially authorized duties — is strictly prohibited,” he wrote. “Failure to comply with these requirements may result in disciplinary action, including removal, as well as referral to law enforcement for civil and criminal penalties.”
TRICARE Regions Changing in 2025
On Jan. 1, 2025, there will be changes to the TRICARE regions in the United States as part of TRICARE’s new regional contracts. While there will still be two TRICARE regions, six states currently in the East Region (Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin) will move to the West Region. If you live in one of these six states, your TRICARE regional contractor will switch from Humana Military to TriWest Healthcare Alliance on Jan. 1, 2025. This change will affect about 1.1 million TRICARE eligible beneficiaries.
If your state is switching regions, Humana Military will continue as your TRICARE contractor until Dec. 31, 2024. Before then, you should check your DEERS account to confirm that all your information is up-to-date.
Starting in early November 2024, you should also:
Create an account on the TriWest patient portal.
Update your payment information with TriWest. This will help make sure you can make your payments to TriWest (if applicable) starting Jan. 1, 2025. (Note: If you pay by allotment, you do not need to do this. Allotment payments will transfer automatically.)
Search for providers in the new TriWest provider network directory. You’ll find the directory on the patient portal.
Note that these features won’t be available on the TriWest website until Nov. 2, 2024.
You should also plan to take any actions for TRICARE Open Season through TriWest.
Most of the current provider network in the six states will likely stay the same. TriWest and Humana Military are working to maintain the existing network. However, each provider must decide whether to continue with TRICARE.
The Defense Health Agency will be sending updates later this year. This will include website links and phone numbers to contact your regional contractor. For now, sign up for email updates and visit www.tricare.mil/changes to stay informed.