HAWAII MarineServing MCAS Kaneohe Bay, 1st MEB, Vol. 21, No. 46 Camp H.M. Smith and Marine Barracks. November 18,1993 Aetna health plan takes over CHAMPUS reform here Calif., the current contractor, will participation in either of the two By Rudi Williams continue to support the program alternative delivery programs - ARS in the two states through Jan. 31, CHAMPUS Prime or the 1994. CHAMPUS Preferred Provider The Department of Defense Aetna, currently a subcontractor Option recently awarded a potential 5 1/ for the southern part of California 2-year, $3.5 billion contract to and Hawaii, will subcontract with Families also have assistance Aetna Government Health Plans, Blue Cross-Blue Shield of South in making appointments for health Inc., to provide health care to Carolina, another CHAMPUS care through a "health care finder" more than 800,000 military contractor, to process all at each military hospital in beneficiaries in California and CHAMPUS claims for the California and Hawaii. The Hawaii. Managed Care Support Program CHAMPUS contractor also This group represents nearly 14 for California and Hawaii. provides civilian staff members percent of the total CHAMPUS- The California-Hawaii contract and other resources in the military eligible population in the United continues to give beneficiaries a hospitals to further increase the States. Worldwide, about 6 million choice of health care delivery accessibility of health care to people are eligible for Civilian options, said Edward D. Martin, beneficiaries, he said. Health and Medical Program of acting assistant secretary of the Uniformed Services benefits. defense for health affairs. CHAMPUS Prime features The contract, the largest ever "In addition to the use of preventive care, low fees for routine awarded by CHAMPUS, includes military treatment facilities or visits to the doctor or free visits a six-month start-up period and standard CHAMPUS, beneficiaries for families of some lower-ranking certain incentives for Aetna to continue to have a chance to enroll enlisted members, Martin perform well - bonuses will be in health maintenance explained. When families enroll given for speed and accuracy in organization-type option or in CHAMPUS Prime they must handling claims. However, Aetna participate in a preferred provider use the military hospital and a must pay a penalty if it performs organization-type plan," he added. designated network of CHAMPUS- poorly, a DoD health affairs With these options, military approved hospitals and health-care spokesman said. families in California and Hawaii professionals. Foundation Health Federal can save money while reducing Services, Inc., of Rancho Cordova, their paperwork through Enrollees have a primary care provider who oversees their health care requirements and handles referrals to specialists, he continued. The health care finder assists with appointments for military treatment facilities or the not wo ric. The CHAMPUS Preferred Provider Option offers the same benefits as the standard CHAMPUS program, but with a 5 percent reduction in co-payments when using network providers. Beneficiaries, however, must meet their annual deductible. "Health care programs like the one in California and Hawaii have SCJ1 LOU POLTUrkli begun in other parts of the country, such as New Orleans, in the area around Fort Polk, La., and near Smoke screen a couple of closing Lases in Texas." During rho MOW exercise, students of the squad leaders course cleared a building by throwing Martin said. Programs are set to a smoke grenade. See story and photos, A-8 . Health care for military dependents in Hawaii and California start in Washington and Oregon of the recent changes In health care reform. soon. Marine Corps League Station Post Office, Retired Affairs Aloha Detachment Joint Safety Center program revitalized meets here tonight retired community with a point Joint of to talk at NQLB Public Affairs Office contact where they can get the only veterans organization that answers and updates on issues Joint Public Affairs Office is strictly for Marines," Sullivan Based on the recommendations that concern them," Ooka said. attendance. The importance of of the Secretary of the Navy's "The office is collecting, said. Joint Public Affairs Office cataloging The Aloha Detachment of the The goal of the league is to those issues are prioritized by Advisory Committee on Retired and passing on information related Marine Corps League will hold a form a group which will carry on a vote from the audience. Personnel, the Marine Corps has to retiree activities from all made a commitment to revitalize available sources." meeting at the 19th Puka here the traditions of the Marine Corps The Neighborhood Quality of Everyone in the air station 7 p.m. The well as promote the Retired Affairs Program. The volunteers are receiving tonight at meeting as interest in the Life Board meeting will be held community is welcome to attend Effective immediately, is open to all ranks, active duty, Marine Corps. It also is a chance tonight, a week earlier than a Retired informational handouts/brochures the meeting. Capt. Chris Affairs Program is established in from various organizations retired personnel and civilian to bridge the gap between retired usual because of the Martin, the NQLB chairman, the members of the local community. and active duty personnel by Thanksgiving holiday. The Transition Assistance including VA, Social Security, explained it is important for Management Office, Building 215, "We are in the process of allowing a time for fellowship and meeting will be held at 7 p.m. CHAMPUS, Disabled American residents to attend the meetings room 207 at MCAS Kaneohe Bay. Veterans, Veterans of Foreign reorganizing the Aloha chapter," esprit de corps between the two in building 267, the Training regularly. explained Dan Sullivan, the groups. and Audio Visual Center "This program is operated and Wars and the Department of chapter commandant. "Right now In addition to the meeting In addition to the monthly staffed by volunteer military Labor. In addition, the office is and (TAVSC), in classroom 1. The retirees," we have 40 members, the largest awards, the Marine Corps League meeting will last about two meetings, quality of life issues explained Mae Ooka, a maintaining close liaison with in 8-10 years. We will be will be honoring the anniversary of hours. may be addressed by filling out career resource specialist at TAMP. local military organizations, the introducing the new members to the attack on Pearl Harbor on a NQLB suggestion form "It will be an information center Chamber of Commerce and the league and slating offices for December 7. Two Marine members Representatives from the located at the Commissary, for retirees and the focal point on fraternal, civic and social 1994; the elections for those offices of the league will be placing a Station Post Office will be at Main Exchange and 7-Day the air station for conducting organizations to keep the retirees will be held in January." wreath at the Arizona Memorial the meeting to discuss proper Stone. retiree business." up-to-date on issues that concern In an effort to increase to commemorate the procedures for mailing packages The staff will assist fellow them. awareness of the League and servicemembers who gave their during the holidays, and a The board is not intended to retirees on matters such as local If you have apy questions or recognize young Marines, the life for this country. representative from the Joint circumvent the normal chain of regulations, policies on retiree would like more information about league will be awarding a one Safety Center will give holiday command or the' normal rights, benefits and privileges. the Retired Affairs Program, please "Your membership support of safety tips. procedures of station facilities. "This program provides the call 257-3135. year membership to the honor the Marine Corps League is the graduates of the Sergeant's Course. Due to the Christmas holiday, What it is intended to, do is most practical thing you can do solve quality of life problems A one year membership will also to help perpetuate the cherished there will no NQLB meeting be awarded to the Marine of the held in December. when normal procedures haven't ideals upon which the Corps and worked. It also serves as a Quarter; alternating between the our nation are founded," Sullivan 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Following the presentations place where people who use the explained. the floor, will be open for other air station can suggest ways to Inside 1st Radio Battalion and MCAS Kaneohe Bay. To join the Aloha Detachment, issues brought up by those in improve the quality of life here. "The Marine Corps League is call the detachment at 943-0543. Commandant reflects on Battle of Tarawa [1] Golden Anniversary a time to remember historic amphibious assault (Editor's Note: November 20 is assault in the Pacific which met lstLt. Alexander Bonnyman, both the 50th anniversary of the Battle fierce, immediate enemy combat engineers from the 18th of Tarawa. The following is opposition. More than 1,100 Marines, made repeated, crippling Kell(' Day reprinted from ALMAR 322/93.) Marines and sailors were killed or assaults on enemy strong points. On the golden anniversary of missing, and nearly 2,300 were Colonel Shoup was the only one After the fun run kids were able to enjoy a free pony the Battle of Tarawa, we pause wounded. The success of the 2d of the four recipients to live and ride 1-5 to reflect upon the tenacity and Division during the harrowing continue the fight in the Pacific. courage displayed by the Marines hours came at the high cost of On this 50th anniversary of the Ads 11-7 of the 2d Marine Division on the these staggering casualties; great Battle of Tarawa, I ask all L Wolter A-2 tiny Pacific Island of Betio.