VA and TriCare News

Special interest news for Veterans of Massachusetts and Nationally

VA's Home Loan Program Continues to Lead Mortgage Industry
Home loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs continue to have the lowest serious delinquency and foreclosure rates in the mortgage industry. Veterans have also taken advantage of their home loan benefit in record numbers, as VA loan originations reached their highest total in eight years.

VA, NFFE Reach Agreement on New Union Contract
Officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) have reached final agreement on a new national collective bargaining agreement, their first since 1997.

VA To Host Major Veteran Career Fair in Washington D.C.
Answering the President's call to expand employment opportunities for America's Veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs will host a major Veteran-focused career fair and exposition with thousands of public and private-sector on-the-spot hiring opportunities for Veterans on Wednesday, Jan. 18, in Washington. Senior VA officials are expected to attend the event, which will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW, from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

New Law Change Increases Insurance Coverage for Veterans
Some Veterans covered under the Veterans Group Life Insurance program (VGLI) now have the opportunity to increase their coverage to the current maximum coverage under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program.

Independent survey seeks your input on benefits
A Washington, D.C., think tank has launched a survey to find out which military benefits are most important to service members.

Largest Annual Wheelchair Sports Event in the World Returning to Richmond this June
Registration is open for the 32nd National Veterans Wheelchair Games, the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world. More than 500 Veterans from across the United States, Puerto Rico and Great Britain are expected to compete in the Games, taking place June 25-30, 2012, in Richmond, Va. - the site of the very first National Veterans Wheelchair Games held in 1981.

Veterans and Beneficiaries Receive 2012 Cost of Living Adjustment
Veterans, their families, and survivors receiving benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs saw a 3.6 percent increase in their compensation and pension benefits beginning January 1.

VA expands list of ships with Agent Orange risk
The Veterans Affairs Department has added 47 vessels to its list of Navy and Coast Guard ships whose crews may have been exposed to the defoliant Agent Orange.

Over 500 Vets Hired at VA's Hiring Fair
With the success of its recent 'Hiring Fair' in Washington, which resulted in more than 500 tentative job offers for Veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs is looking at ways to expand VA's traditional hire-a-vet program with major Veteran-focused career fairs throughout the country

VA Publishes Regulation on Newborn Care
The Department of Veterans Affairs has published a regulation officially amending VA's medical benefits package to include up to seven days of medical care for newborns delivered by women Veterans who are receiving VA maternity care benefits.

TRICARE Expands Retail Pharmacy Vaccine Program
FALLS CHURCH, Va. – TRICARE is expanding the number of preventive vaccines covered at retail network pharmacies. Until now, the majority of vaccines were only covered when obtained through a physician’s office.

Tricare soon may cover substance treatments
The Defense Department is proposing to allow Tricare to pay for medical treatment and therapy programs using drug substitution therapy.

Retroactive Coverage Closing for TRICARE Young Adult
FALLS CHURCH, Va. –The opportunity to purchase retroactive TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) coverage expires on Sept. 30.

Lawmakers wary of retirement commission plan
Lawmakers generally seem to agree that standing up an independent commission to study possible reforms to the military retirement system is a good idea, but they are less supportive of the fast-track approval process that the Defense Department is seeking to try to force Congress to adopt the commission’s recommendations.

TRICARE Young Adult Prime Option Available Jan. 1
The TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) Prime option is available for purchase on Dec. 1, 2011, with coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2012. TYA Prime will offer young adult beneficiaries TRICARE Prime coverage for monthly premiums of $201.