HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?
D , 2017
Volume 41, number 48
Joint-Exercise Double Eagle wraps up in Serbia Story and photos by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
See DOUBLE EAGLE, Page 2
U.S. and Serbian paratroopers descend from the sky during Exercise Double Eagle 2017 in Kovin, Serbia, on Nov. 16. Exercise Double Eagle is a bilateral airborne insertion exercise designed to allow U.S. and Serbian forces to work together in areas of mutual interest in securing regional security and peace.
Take command with TRICARE changes: FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Starting Jan. 1, 2018, cost changes for TRICARE benefits transition from a fiscal year period to a calendar year period. “Changing from a fiscal year (Oct. 1 – Sept. 30) to a calendar year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31) makes the TRICARE benefit consistent with civilian health plans,” said Capt. Nicholas Edvarchuk, 86th Medical Group Tricare Operation and Patient Administration Flight Commander.
The change will largely affect those plans which have an enrollment fee and are currently billed by the fiscal year. This includes retirees and their family members in TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Retired Reserve, TRICARE Reserve Select and those in TRICARE Young Adult plans. This change is one of several changes that TRICARE is adopting in 2018. Enrollment fees apply to retirees and their family members enrolled in TRICARE Prime, those enrolled in the premium-based plans, and several others to include:
• TRICARE Young Adult-Prime Option • TRICARE Young Adult-Standard Option • TRICARE Retired Reserve • TRICARE Reserve Select • Continued Health Care Benefit Program (this will continue to follow a fiscal year cycle) • US Family Health Plan
NEWS
provided by TRICARE communications
NEWS
Enrollments shifting from fiscal to calendar year starting in January 2018
If you’re in a plan now that requires enrollment fees, there will be a transition period from Oct. 1, 2017, to Dec. 31, 2017, so you won’t experi-
Tip of the Week: Watch out for pickpockets at Christmas markets! Carry money, credit cards and ID cards in various inside pockets of your clothes, close to the body!
86th MDG leadership visits Homburg Medical University, Page 3
3D Month: Sobering facts about impaired driving, Page 9
ence additional costs in 2017. During this time, you’ll continue to pay your enrollment fees. However, enrollment fees will be prorated for the threemonth period and billed accordingly for enrollees who pay on a monthly or quarterly basis. If you pay enrollment fees on an annual basis, you’ll be billed for the fees to cover the three-month period and sent a billing notice for the annual fee for calendar year 2018. TRICARE will extend payments (for example, catastrophic caps and deductibles) that usually reset on Oct. 1 through the end of the calendar year. Any enrollment fees you pay during the transition period will continue See TRICARE, Page 2
LIFESTYLES
BATAJNICA AIRFIELD, Serbia — “This exercise is important because it builds the readiness of both our militaries,” said Lt. Gen. John Gronski, U.S. Army Europe deputy commanding general. “When you have a ready military a region can be more stable and secure.” The Serbian government invited the U.S. to train with their forces in order to strengthen both countries’ emergency response capabilities, thereby helping secure regional security and peace. Double Eagle developed from the U.S. and Serbia’s shared commitment to regional security and the importance of the Balkan region to that security. Two C-130J Super Hercules from Ramstein Air Base’s 37th Airlift Squadron brought approximately 120 U.S. Army paratroopers assigned
Santa Claus visits Wednesday for Nikolaustag, Page 17