Veterans Information

Recently, I had to get the assistance of Congressman Brad Miller's office to find out whether or not a military retiree benefit was covered. My physician, an orthopaedic surgeon, had inquired through his staff and was told "no."

What I needed were Orthovisc injections ("knee fluid replacement"). I have severe problems with arthritis in my right knee and before my doctor goes down the path of knee replacement surgery he wants to try these "fluid replacement" injections first. So it would seem, as a preventative step, that Tricare would cover this.

Turns out they do. Congressman Brad Miller's staffer, Betsy Bates, was most helpful. The rub, turned out, is that Orthovisc injections are considered "FDA devices." Therefore, they're not covered as a pharmacy (prescription) benefit, but as a medical benefit. Had my surgeon's people known how to ask the question then maybe they would have gotten a different answer.

Previously, I had called a Tricare benefits councilor several times. Furthermore, I had also called several other Tricare numbers, including the contractor for the North region, Healthnet Services. None of them were able to help me. All of them told me this was not covered.

So it took a Congressional inquiry to get this information. Clearly something is broken. While I'm going to try to figure out how to get more of this information out to other retirees and veterans it's my hope that my little ol' website can at least help disseminate some useful information.

So if you have any tips, tricks, whatever as it relates to veterans getting the benefits they're entitled to please do not hesitate and post it here.

By the way, here's a helpful link: http://www.tricareus.com.

If you wish to contact Betsy Bates at Congressman Brad Miller's office you can call her at (919) 836-1313. She told me she cannot help you unless you're registered to receive benefits so make sure you're in "the system" before calling her.

Another great place to get advice and assistance is Wake County's Veterans Services Office. Their website is at http://www.wakegov.com/veterans/default.htm. Their telephone number is (919) 856-6161.

Sincerely,
/s/
Rodger Koopman
Captain, USAF (Retired)