Tricare cancer screenings update: A Tricare demonstration project now available to Tricare-eligible beneficiaries may give you the option to access new laboratory technologies that could improve your health care. Two breast cancer tests are currently included in the demonstration.

One test, the BRACAnalysis®, looks for mutations in a woman’s BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes to determine the risk of developing hereditary breast or ovarian cancers. The other test, the Oncotype DX® Breast Cancer Assay, provides more molecular-level information about a specific tumor to help doctors and patients create a better treatment plan. For example, this test can help determine whether chemotherapy should be part of a patient’s treatment plan.

To find out if you are eligible for these tests under the Tricare demonstration project, talk to your primary health care provider or visit your regional contractor’s website. The complete description of this demonstration project is available at www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-27/html/ 2011-33066.htm.

The demonstration is intended to determine whether the Department of Defense should review certain laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) for safety and effectiveness and allow those that meet Tricare standards to be covered as a benefit under Tricare. The LDTs being considered for evaluation are approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, but not by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. [Source: Tricare Standard Health Matters Newsletter 2013]

CHCBP update: Last year, Tricare expanded access to the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP), a premium-based health care program administered by Humana Military. If you qualify, CHCBP provides you and your family with continued health care coverage for 18-36 months after you lose eligibility for your military health care benefits.

CHCBP is available to former uniformed service members, their qualified family members, unremarried former spouses, adult children and unmarried children by adoption or legal custody.

Eligible beneficiaries must enroll in CHCBP within 60 days following the loss of entitlement to the Military Health System. for coverage of up to 36 months. Now with the advent of the Tricare Young Adult Program for children of sponsors it is possible to obtain coverage up to age 29 for children. Current fees are $1.138 per quarter for individuals and $2,255 per quarter for families.

For more information, visit www.tricare.mil/chcbp or call Humana Military at 1-800-444-5445. [Source: Tricare Standard Health Matters Newsletter 2013]

Flags: The American Legion Post 70 has on hand American flags, all of the military service flags, POW/MIA flags, and S.C. State flags. Contact a member of Post 70 to purchase flags; the cost is $5.

American Legion Post 70: Meets at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month. For more information, contact Thomas Crisp at 940-2793.

American Legion Post 24 of Newberry: Meeets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The American Legion Auxiliary – Unit 24 meets the same day at 3 p.m. at Post 24.