Received this info today. If you want or need any of the e-mail attachments pm me.
"This message is primarily for Veterans that are enrolled at the VA Medical Clinic in Manila - I encourage members that are enrolled at other Medical Centers to verify if there have been any Policy Changes that might impact them.
A little background - I was reading the Minutes from the DAV Post #3 in Angeles City - they had a report on a visit from the VA to the local Am Legion Post also in Angeles City, regarding changes to Travel Pay and Meds for non service connected issues. Commander Roese had also mentioned to me that he was told he would not be paid for his travel to Manila for an upcoming medical appointment- I believe the Commander is 10-20% Disabled. Lastly, I exchanged Secure Messages from the Clinic regarding receiving a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to see a Doctor here in Cebu. The VA is implementing a One Address Rule
One Address - and limiting the use of courier services out of Manila. Since I have been enrolled at the VA Clinic (July 2011), anything coming out of the Clinic has been sent via courier - whether it was Meds, Appointment Letters, or LOA’s. Apparently, effective March 1st this changed - being the orphaned step child, we in Cebu and other Islands that aren’t Luzon, get to hear about these changes whenever it affects a member - but I digress
My complaint is that using Phil Post means that regular mail coming out of Manila will take anywhere from 30-45 days to get us and in many cases longer or not at all. I pointed out that I have an FPO Address and if that could be used for mail, while keeping my street address for the delivery of Meds. At first I was told that NO I had to choose one address and that was that. Then a few minutes later the VA wrote back and told me that an APO/FPO Address would be accepted as a secondary address.
If you are a Military Retiree OR a Veteran with a VA Rating of 100%, you can get an FPO Address from the RAO - where we hold our monthly meetings. Their Office is open daily from 10:30 AM to 4 PM, Closed on US and Filipino Holidays - 032 232 3556 in addition to this, you have to notify the VA (I would recommend using Secure Messaging via MyHealtheVet) that you have an APO/FPO Address - In the meantime I will continue to work with the VA, and other entities to see if we can convince the VA of the error of their ways.
Travel Pay - I am attaching a PDF from the VA on this - basically they are saying if your Disability Rating is less then 30% you will not be paid for travel - I believe in CONUS they make exceptions for people who live in faraway places or they can take advantage of transportation provided by Service Organizations - I don’t think the DAV has planes flying between Cebu and Manila - I will keep you informed of any success I have.
Non Service Connected Meds - There is no written policy on this, but I checked with a Patient Advocate - I had heard through the grapevine that the VA was going discontinue providing these drugs - I don’t know if they will charge a co-pay, if we will be allowed to buy the drugs from the VA or if we are just SOL I had also heard that the VA may grandfather some meds - in my case I take a drug that I had been getting from the VA since before I got my first Rating - I will keep everyone in the loop as far as this goes as well.
Should there be any other changes I will post what information I have - Please feel free to contact me regarding any changes you hear about - but please limit your comments - if you have specific questions regarding your own status I would encourage you to contact the VA directly - avoid the telephone system and use Secure Messaging via MyHealtheVet."
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