Mistakes involving claims payments that are too high or too low are being missed by the TRICARE audit system, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office. The report was the subject of an article in Stars and Stripes last week.
According to the GAO study, TRICARE does not routinely examine records to determine if a bill was accurate. Because of that, TRICARE reported “improper payments” of $68 million in 2013, an error rate of 0.3 percent. GAO pointed out that Medicare reported improper payments at a rate of 10.1 percent for the same time.
Many of the same providers use both programs. And coverage and payment policies are often the same. The difference, GAO reported, is that TRICARE does not perform the same review process of medical records that Medicare does.
The report says TRICARE’s method of reviewing claims has not changed in 20 years and is likely missing mistakes that would be found by a more rigorous review process.
– Taken from the February 24 issue of the NGAUS Washington Report, a weekly e-newsletter
Dr. Mehmet Oz is a highly trained cardiothoracic surgeon and Vice-Chairman of the department of surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. But can his show’s advice always be trusted?
While researching a future article, your webmaster ran across a name not heard in many years since his retirement – Jack Uhrig.
CMSgt Jack Uhrig retired in 2001 as the senior member of the maintenance control function at the 154th Wing. Jack came to the Hawaii Air National Guard after serving with the U.S. Navy. He started in the aerospace ground equipment (AGE) shop as a Traditional member. In his next assignment, he served as the 154th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (CAMRON) First Sergeant, and later served as the Senior Enlisted Leader. Jack became a full time technician in the maintenance complex later in his career, transferring from his Navy civilian position.
In an email exchange with Jack, he provided information about what happened since his retirement.
After his retirement, Jack survived five spine surgeries in four years. These medical procedures were to correct his back problems, but from his email, he still has challenges.
In August of 2005, Jack started working for Marcus Property Management in Mapunapuna. According to Jack, his office is right between Servco Toyota and Young Guns. This kama‘āina company has been in business for 41 years and offers all aspects of real estate for both residential and commercial sales, property management and financing.
As always, Jack excelled and is now the Director of Maintenance/Facility Management. In talking to Jack, it’s still maintenance control. For his full contact information, go to Jack @ Marcus Property Management
Great catching up with Jack!
A high-fiber diet doesn’t have to be dull and tasteless. Find fiber in tasty treats like fresh berries, pears, almonds, and even cocoa powder.
The Obama administration outlined ambitious new goals to transform the way Medicare pays doctors and hospitals, rewarding providers that achieve better outcomes for patients rather than those that just do more.
Getting ready to file your tax returns? The “hard copy” 1099Rs were mailed at the end of January, but did you know you can view and download a copy online?
Simply go to www.servicesonline.opm.gov (SOL). If you do not remember your password for SOL, instructions are provided on how to get a new one. While in SOL, make sure we have your correct mailing address and email address to ensure you receive future correspondence from us.
If you find it quick and easy to get your 1099R online, and you have not already done so, “get a leg up” for next year by electing to “opt in” to go green and skip the “hard copy” entirely. “Opting in” will allow you to download your 1099R up to ten days before the 1099R hard copies are mailed.
And don’t forget, you can return to SOL if you need to tweak your tax withholding for 2015 … or if you need another copy of your 1099R later.
No need to call during business hours, Services Online is available 24-7 during tax season and year-round!
Susumu “Sus” Furuike, 85, of Aiea, a Federal Aviation Administration electronics technician, retired FAA facility manager and a Hawaii Air National Guard veteran, passed away on January 14, 2015. He was born in Kahuku.
He is survived by wife Constance M. “Connie,” sons Dennis and Randy, daughter Lisa Arita, brother Tadashi and sisters Joyce Sasaki and Carol Berk.
Visitation: 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Services: 6 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.
Joseph Harold Viveiros, 82, of Kailua, a mechanical supervisor and a veteran of the Coast Guard and Army National Guard, passed away on February 4, 2015. He was born in Paia, Maui.
He is survived by wife Gloria Lee, sons Eric and Randy, daughters JoAnn Marks and Holly San Miguel, sister Nelloise August, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Visitation: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Anthony of Padua, 148 Makawao St., Kailua. Services: 10:30 a.m. Burial: 3 p.m. at Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha or casual attire. Flowers welcome. Online condolences: borthwickoahu.com.
Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs has scheduled the Adjutant General and Deputy Adjutant General’s confirmation hearing for Tuesday, March 17, 2014. The hearing starts at 1315 in Conference Room 229 at the Capitol.
The reference to the nominations are Governor’s Message or GMs (rather than bill numbers)
GM 517 Submitting for consideration and confirmation as the Adjutant General of the Department of Defense, Gubernatorial Nominee, BRIGADIER GENERAL ARTHUR LOGAN, for a term to expire 12-3-2018.
GM 518 Submitting for consideration and confirmation as the Deputy Adjutant General of the Department of Defense, Gubernatorial Nominee, COLONEL KENNETH HARA, for a term to expire 12-3-2018.
Senator Will Espero chairs this committee. The other members of the committee include Senator Rosalyn H. Baker, Vice Chair, and members, Senators Brickwood Galuteria, Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, and Sam Slom.
Senate Testimony Procedures: Submit your testimony up to 24 hours prior to the start of the hearing in ONE of the following ways:
– In Person: Deliver to Committee Clerk, State Capitol, Room 206 (808-586-6360)
– Website: Submit online testimony, http://lrbhawaii.org/par/pub/howtotest.pdf (10MB limit) There is a registration process.
– E-Mail: PSMtestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov, indicate the measure number – GM517 and GM 518 – and date and time of the hearing (10MB limit)
– Fax: Committee facsimile number: 808-586-6361
Posting Deadline: The committee clerk will post testimony submitted by the 24-hour deadline online after the convening to the public hearing. The clerk will stamp testimony received after the 24-hour deadline as LATE and post it online within 24 hours after the hearing has adjourned.
Please note: All testimony received by the Hawai‘i Senate is posted on the Hawai‘i Legislature’s website, which is accessible to the public. Please do not include private information (street address, telephone number, etc.) that you do not want disclosed to the public.
Airman is the online magazine of the United States Air Force. The Defense Media Activity produces the magazine for the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs.
Read the latest postings at http://airman.dodlive.mil
View back issues http://airman.dodlive.mil/category/archive/
Even though your family may find it funny to practice for an emergency, it could make all the difference if catastrophe comes to call. It can take hours, or even days, for assistance to reach you so you need to ensure your household is ready to fend for itself.
Please note that here in Hawai‘i, we need to stock water and supplies for at least 7-10 days. Most government websites recommend 3 days, and that is a reasonable supply if you live on the continental United States. Hawai‘i remains dependent on container ships that take 7 days to get to Hawai‘i from Oakland or Los Angeles.
When a loved one receives an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, financial planning may not be top of mind — but it should be.
While Medicare covers a wide array of health care services, it certainly doesn’t cover everything.
Hawaii’s Youth ChalleNGe Program has been a resounding success since its start in 1994.
Hawaii Luxury magazine featured an article in their October-November 2014 issue about the Youth ChalleNGe Academy. The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program (NGYCP) provides at-risk adolescents the opportunity to turn their lives around through an evidence-based program modeled after the structure, discipline and results oriented training of the National Guard.
This month’s issue features a great article about Duke Kahanamoku – Renaissance Man http://www.hiluxury.com/renaissance-man/
