Oct. 15, 2020

TRICARE Health Matters Newsletter – Issue 3, 2020

Do you want to learn more about TRICARE Open Season, Federal Benefits Open Season, or the new TRICARE Select enrollment fees for Group A retirees? These are just some of the articles you can read in the latest issue of the TRICARE Health Matters Newsletter:

Oct. 15, 2020

Distribution of Finalized DD-214

The implementation of electronic transmission of DD Form 214 data to the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) is complete. The Veterans Administration, State Directors of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Labor have access to DD Form 214 data. SPOs are not required to produce and distribute paper copies 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8. DMDC is the official distribution source of the Military Services authoritative and certified information for all periods of active duty that are completed on or after January 1, 2015.

Oct. 9, 2020

2021 High Year Tenure Waiver Process Guidance Issued

ALCGENL 191/20 provides amplifying guidance on the High Year Tenure (HYT) Professional Growth Point waiver process for 2021 active duty HYT Candidates.​

Oct. 8, 2020

What's TRICARE Young Adult?

TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) is available for purchase by certain family members under the age of 26 who have lost or will lose TRICARE eligibility due to age. Qualified adult children can purchase TYA coverage after regular TRICARE coverage ends

Oct. 8, 2020

Mailing Address and End-Year Tax Documents

END OF THE CURRENT TAX SEASON IS FAST APPROACHING! All retirees and annuitants are reminded that the Mailing Address listed in Direct Access (DA) is the address all your year-end tax documents will be sent to. Please note that your Home Address will NOT be used for these mailings.

Oct. 7, 2020

Continued Health Care Benefit Program Rates

TRICARE recently updated the TRICARE Costs and Fees Sheet. The October version includes the new rates (Oct. 1, 2020–Sept. 30, 2021) for the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP), as well as current 2020 costs and fees for other TRICARE programs. If you need health care as you make a transition to civilian life, the CHCBP gives health coverage for 18 to 36 months. This is temporary coverage for when you lose TRICARE coverage. If you qualify, you may purchase CHCBP coverage within 60 days of loss of TRICARE coverage.

Oct. 2, 2020

Got TRICARE For Life Questions? Here’s What You Should Know

Will you soon be eligible for Medicare based on reaching age 65? If so, now's the time to start thinking about your future health care needs. With TRICARE For Life (TFL) coverage, you can get the care you need while minimizing your out-of-pocket costs. As you begin to learn about TFL, you may have questions about costs, what's covered, and if you're eligible for it.

Oct. 1, 2020

Plan Now: TRICARE Select Enrollment Fees for Group A Retirees Coming January 2021

Did you hear the news about TRICARE Select enrollment fees? TRICARE Select Group A retirees must begin paying enrollment fees to maintain health coverage starting on Jan. 1, 2021. TRICARE Select is the name of the plan that replaced the former TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra programs in 2018.

Sept. 29, 2020

Fiscal Year 2021 Coast Guard Civilian Clothing Allowances Released

The FY 2021 Fiscal Year 2021 Coast Guard Civilian Clothing Allowances are now available.

Sept. 28, 2020

High Year Tenure (HYT) Waiver Policy for 2020 and 2021

a. All 2021 and 2022 HYT candidates in paygrades E-3 to E-8 who apply for a waiver and meet all other eligibility requirements will be granted a waiver with the ability to advance. b. Members who do not submit a HYT waiver request must be separated IAW REF (B) and will retain authorized entitlements. c. Members in the paygrade E-9 remain ineligible for HYT waivers and must submit a retirement request in accordance with Section 3.G. and 3.H. of REF (B). d. Members granted a HYT waiver will adhere to all Coast Guard policies and processes, to include but not limited to reenlistment eligibility, assignments and separation authorities. e. The deadline for 2021 HYT candidates to submit a waiver request is 13 November 2020.

Sept. 28, 2020

Reserve Bonus and Special Pay Programs for Fiscal Year 2021

Per ALCOAST Commandant Change Notice 109/20, effective 1 October 2020, the following SELRES bonuses and special pays are authorized. ALCOAST Commandant Change Notice 110/20 announces a bonus offer for eligible physician assistants who commission and affiliate with the Coast Guard SELRES as a designated DCPA to serve in a Port Security Unit (PSU) reserve physician assistant billet (Officer Specialty Code PHA10). 

Sept. 28, 2020

Credentialing your Coast Guard experience

Members planning to transition into a civilian job after serving, or simply looking to broaden professional opportunities, are in luck. Your experience in the Coast Guard has given you training and skills that you can put to work for you outside of the service.

Sept. 28, 2020

Temporary modifications to eligibility requirements for Reserve Good Conduct Medal (RGCM)

Opportunities for reserve members to schedule drills have been impacted due to the disruptions of the global COVID-19 pandemic. This may result in reserve members being unable to obtain the required 70 retirement points for the Reserve Good Conduct Medal (RGCM) as required in Coast Guard Medals and Awards Manual, COMDTINST M1650.2E. A qualifying year will consist of 50 points rather than the normal 70 points. This modification will be in place from March 1, 2020, until a determined date in the future.

Sept. 21, 2020

Fiscal Year 2021 Coast Guard Enlisted Supplementary Clothing Allowances

This allowance may be authorized only for an enlisted member assigned to duty in a special organization or detail where the nature of the duty necessitates that he or she have, as a military requirement, additional quantities or special items of individual uniform clothing normally not required for most enlisted members in the same Service. An enlisted member who is entitled to this allowance will complete the Enlisted Supplementary Clothing Allowance Worksheet (CG-5155A).

Sept. 18, 2020

Reserves: Additional training period allocations for SELRES members for fiscal year 2021

For the upcoming fiscal year, reservists are reminded that only select reserve (SELRES) members assigned to Port Security Units (PSU), Naval Coastal Riverine Squadrons (CORIVRON) and Naval Coastal Riverine Groups (CORIVGRU) are authorized to perform additional training period (ATP).