Reservist Magazine is the award-winning official publication of the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Quarterly issues include news and feature articles about the men and women who comprise America's premier national maritime safety and security
Issue link: https://uscgreservist.epubxp.com/i/498190
Separating or Retiring: What to do about Medical Submitted by Cmdr. Paul Fawcett Separating or retiring from military service is a lengthy process involving many and varied concerns: turning in issued gear, completing required personnel forms, checking out of your unit and attending to a myriad of personal details. One area that you won't want to overlook when you are out processing is medical. There are several medical items that you'll want to put on your separation "to do" list: • Medical and dental records: These are the government's records, not your personal records. Chances are over the course of your military career you've had a series of exams, tests, treatments etc. that have been filed in your medical record, making it an important record of your care and medical history. You will want to ensure all records and reports of CG sponsored medical care obtained outside of a CG clinic have been included. Be sure to go to your servicing clinic or record administrator and make two personal copies to take with you prior to separation. Don't take the original. It is not yours; and you shouldn't be permitted to do this anyway. If you lose the Coast Guard's copy, no copy will be available if you've taken the original. You'll need your copy for two reasons: to help document medical history for your physician, and in case you want to file a disability claim with the Veteran's Administration (VA). If you've been stationed at a Port Security Unit, Small Boat Station, or certain other types of units, your medical record may be held locally and not at a Coast Guard clinic. Ask your unit medical staff, or administrative staff, if you have no medical personnel, to find out. • Retirement or separation physicals: Physical exams are required for Active Duty and Reserve personnel on orders for more than 30 days who are separating and retiring from the Coast Guard, per the CG Medical Manual COMDTINST M6000.1F, Chapter 3.A. Physical exams are not required for Reserve members on orders less than 30 days. If you are returning from OCONUS deployment to retirement or separation, a post deployment physical is required. A physical prior to separation is important in that it documents any service related conditions for potential VA claims, and it identifies any medical or dental conditions that the service may be able to treat before you separate and you are no longer eligible to receive care at Coast Guard medical facilities. You can schedule your physical as far as a year in advance, but not less than 60 days prior to separation, to allow plenty of time to schedule tests or treatment in case it's needed prior to departure. • VA Benefts Delivery at Discharge (VABDD) If you believe you are eligible for a VA claim for a service connected medical condition and plan to file a claim, don't wait. The VABDD program allows you to submit a claim for disability 60-180 days prior to separation or retirement. The VABDD program is available to reserve members as well as active duty and the Coast Guard is specifically included by policy. Utilizing this program can significantly speed up your receipt of VA compensation for a properly filed successful claim. The VA's stated goal is benefits receipt within 60 days of separation from service. For more information visit the VA website at http://benefits.va.gov/predischarge/claims- pre-discharge-benefits-delivery-at-discharge.asp or call toll- free at 1-800-827-1000. • TRICARE health Insurance: If you are retiring you may be eligible for TRICARE Retired Reserve. This program is available to both RET-1 and RET- 2 category retirees and is a premium based program. TRICARE monthly premiums for the member only are approximately $390. Member and family monthly premiums are approximately $961, with annual deductibles. TRICARE retired reserve does meet the minimum requirements under the Affordable Care Act. For more information on the TRICARE retired reserve program visit the TRICARE website at: www.tricare.mil/Plans/HealthPlans/TRR.aspx. Navigating through the medical aspects of separating from the service can be confusing. You should visit with your unit medical staff once you have your separation date to begin planning. Your service has entitled you to certain medical benefits and your medical staff wants to make sure you are well taken care of. Be sure to make an appointment so they can help you through the process. � Cmdr. Paul Fawcett is the Chief of Medical Administration at the Health, Safety and Work-Life Service Center. He can be contacted at Paul.A.Fawcett@uscg.mil or 757-628-4362. ReseRvist Magazine the MoRe you know 42 RESERVIST � Issue 2 • 2015