The FReeper Foxhole Spotlights The DAV - Dec.12th, 200

Disabled American Veterans ^

[MistyCA]

I am very honored to be among those who are on larry's first ping list! :) I hope you hang out with us often, Larry!

[MistyCA]

ron, my brother had to go to the DAV office in LOS Angeles, about 90 miles from our hometown. It's so worth it. Once the initial paperwork is finished you probably don't have to go right to the office. Maybe you can talk to them about opening a branch closer to you.

[MistyCA]

Generally you will find a DAV office near the VA Medical Center. As you probably know, they are only in the largest areas. My brother use to stop in at DAV each time he had to go to the VA.

[Fiddlstix]

Oh, Wow! that's so neat! Thank you! I feel like the 12 days of Christmas! Each day you bring on something new and make it even better! :)

Actually Sweetliberty did the great graphics
I just added the music

[larryjohnson]

I have not used the ping list yet. I can't figure out where to store it so its on my profile. MistyME

[Jen]

Thanks for your post Ron, and best wishes with your VA claim. I'm glad to see Sam and Misty have already replied with some info that I hope is helpful.

[Jen]

And I love your comparison of a ping to a trail of crumbs. How about a wiff of perfume?

And I thought the way to a man's heart was through his stomach... hahahahaha

[Jen]

Yes! I will add Rachel's blog-site to the Foxhole's links page when I update it again tonight. Good idea.

[Jen]

I hope you are firmly within the loop now! :)

Misty, if Raven6 is not firmly within the loop now, you might be able to help get him "in the loop" with your roping skills! hehehe

[Jen]

DoD renews TRICARE Retiree Dental Program contract

The Department of Defense has awarded Delta Dental Plan of California a contract to provide services for the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP). This is a five-year renewal contract and is valued at approximately $987 million.

"The new contract provides a greatly enhanced dental benefit package and improved customer service for our retirees," said Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.

The new contract becomes effective May 1, 2003. With its current enrollment of 650,000, the TRDP is already the nation's largest voluntary, all enrollee-paid dental program. It will continue to provide a dental plan to uniformed service retirees and their family members, certain surviving members of deceased active duty sponsors and to Medal of Honor recipients and their immediate family members and survivors.

The TRDP will offer dental coverage throughout the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Canada. All premiums are paid by those enrolled and vary depending on where they live.

According to Delta officials, the new contract reduces the mandatory enrollment obligation to only 12 months, after which enrollees can remain in the program on a month-to-month basis. Additionally, the waiting period for a full scope of benefits has been reduced to just 12 months, after which 50 percent coverage for crowns, bridges, full/partial dentures and orthodontics goes into effect.

"Since the program was first introduced in 1998, Congress and the Department of Defense have steadily increased the benefits we are allowed to offer," said Lowell Daun, DDS, senior vice president for Delta's Federal Services division.

Dr. Daun noted the program continues to carry a $50 per person, per year deductible, but now also includes a family cap of $150 and an increased annual maximum amount of $1,200 against which preventive and diagnostic services are not counted.

Coverage for these services, as well as for basic restorative services, periodontics, endodontics, oral surgery and dental emergencies is available immediately on the effective date of coverage. Crowns, bridges, full and partial dentures and orthodontics are available after 12 months continuous enrollment.

Retirees and their family members can obtain more information about the program at http://www.tricare.osd.mil or by visiting the Delta Dental Plan of California Web site at http://www.ddpdelta.org.

Delta Dental may also be contacted:

By Phone:
Enrollment (new enrollments, changes and related correspondence)
Phone 1 (888) 838-8737
Monday - Friday (excluding holidays), 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST

Customer Service (claims, eligibility inquiries & related correspondence)
Phone 1 (888) 336-3260
Monday - Friday (excluding holidays), 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST

Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
Phone 1 (888) 336-3260
Available around the clock, Monday - Saturday

By Mail:
Delta Dental Plan of California
Federal Services
P.O. Box 537008
Sacramento, CA 95853-7008

By E-mail:
Enrollment: ddpenroll@delta.org
Customer service: ddpservice@delta.org

(From Air Force Retiree News Service)

[Jen]

I thought that story was so good too. I just posted it for FReeper "Snopercod" who received the email.

[Jen]

You have an amazing family Bryan. Thank you so much for sharing those stories with all of us.

[Jen]

I think your post to me was intended for someone else.

[MistyCA]

I am sorry for the loss of your dad, Bryan. What a wonderful story you have to tell about him and his brothers. Thanks to your family for their service! I hope you get to tell that story very often! :)

[MistyCA]

BTW...my uncle George also use to eat raw onions like apples! :)

[MistyCA]

LOL :) It's an honor to keep you on! Tell your family thanks for what they are doing for the country! It would be great to have those brothers visit us here sometime! Anytime! All the time! :)

[MistyCA]

Thanks for your post. Tell you husband thank you for what he does. The DAV has been a God send to many of our Vets who needed help with their claims, including my brother. :)

[MistyCA]

Sam! I have a feeling I am posting to myself over here!

[MistyCA]

roflmao!

[MistyCA]

Sweetliberty, thanks for those awesome Christmas graphics!