Medical costs? Reach into your own pocketbook

Since 07-08-05

From: Waspscpo@aol.com [mailto:Waspscpo@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2005 6:42 AM
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Subject: Medical costs? Reach into your own pocketbook

http://www.norwichbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050704/ NEWS01/507040307/1002


By AMY BETH PREISS
Norwich Bulletin
July 6, 2005


There are 60,135 military retirees in New England as of Sept. 30, 2004, according to the United States Department of Defense report. The department also reports 31,004 of those retirees are 65 or older. There are 10,635 retirees in Connecticut.


MONTVILLE-- If the Groton submarine base closes, retired Chief Petty Officer Mitch Ewing's primary concern will be how he will come up with the money to pay for his family's medical care. Since he retired in June 1999, after a 22-year Navy career, the Uncasville resident has been receiving free medical care from the base's Naval Ambulatory Care Center. His wife, Colleen, 47, also a retired Navy veteran, uses the center as well. The Ewings would have to find a new primary-care physician and begin paying co-pay fees.

He estimates they visit the health facility a couple of times a month for routine checkups. "It would be a significant financial burden for both of us," said Ewing, 48. "We did not expect the base to be on the list. It was a shock." There are 10,685 retirees in Connecticut eligible to use those benefits, according to 2004 Department of Defense statistics, said retired Navy Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Charley Williams, also of Montville.

He is chief of staff for the state Department of Veterans Affairs. "There are so many retirees around here, it's not funny," Ewing said. "I've talked to a couple of people and that's their biggest concern. We were promised free medical for life once we retired." Retirees, depending on their health-care plan, could have to pay 20 to 25 percent of their medical care for office visits, according to the Tricare Web site.

Tricare is the medical insurance offered to Navy retirees, Williams said. The closing would have a double hit on the Ewings. In addition to services they've come to rely on, they work on the base -- he is in personnel and she is in human resources.

There is no sales tax at the commissary and Navy Exchange. Navy retirees can buy products such as cigarettes, food and alcohol. Ewing knows it's more expensive to shop elsewhere. There are other perks, such as a marina and a recreation center. "Before we make an electronic purchase, we always check the base first to see if it's comparable to Wal-Mart," Ewing said.

Closure of the base would be an extra burden for many retired Navy personnel, Williams said. He is worried many might be left without medical care because they are not eligible to use the federal veterans administration system in West Haven due to income limitations or eligibility. apreiss@norwichbulletin.com
Originally published July 4, 2005
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Contributed,
YNCS Don Harribine, USN(ret)