Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/767133
Prescriptiondrugsreceived through the Department of Veterans Affairs for non-service connected condi- tions could cost many veterans less under a new rule that kicks in Feb. 27. Currently, the VA charges veterans who do not qualify for free health care $8 or $9 for a 30-day or less drug sup- ply, depending on their cate- gory. Those costs were set to increase over time based on a Medical Consumer Price Index calculation. The new plan, however, will categorize drugs into tiers, sim- ilar to how medication is han- dled by Tricare. Tier 1 medica- tions, described as "preferred generics," will cost $5 for a 30- day or less supply. Tier 2, or "non-preferred generics," will cost $8 for a 30-day or less sup- ply. Tier 3, or "brand name," will cost $11 for a 30-day or less supply. Officials estimate that most users will see a 10 to 50 per- cent reduction in the cost of the drugs they receive from the VA, according to the rule pro- posal posted to the federal reg- ister early this year. A series of seven criteria is used by the VA to determine which generic drugs are on the lower-cost "preferred generics" list, and which drugs are "non- preferred generics" and cost $3 more per 30-day or less supply, according to the rule proposal. For example, generic drugs typically used to treat a com- mon "chronic condition," such as hypertension, will be on the list, while topical creams, prod- ucts used to treat musculoskel- etal conditions, antihistamines and steroid-containing gener- ics would not because they are typically used on an "as-needed basis," the document says. The annual drug copay- ment cap for veterans in prior- ity groups two through seven is $700. Veterans who meet certain qualifications, including a dis- ability rating above 50 percent or who qualify as low-income, can receive free health care from the VA and are not sub- ject to the co-pay costs. There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents. To find out if you are eligible for any of these benefits, call the Tehama County Veterans Service Office at 529-3664. The VSO address is the Bank of America Building, 955 Main St., Ste. C, in Red Bluff. Office appointment hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch. The Red Bluff office VSO is by ap- pointment only. Corning VSO walk-ins are at the Veterans Memorial Hall 9-11 a.m. the every Tuesday of the month. Los Molinos walk-ins are at the Public Library 9:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays. DMV forms for "Veteran" designated on your driver's license are available at all VSO offices. The Tehama County ID card is available in the Red Bluff VSO office. In- carcerated and Probation Vet- eran appointments are Thurs- day mornings. Friday's we are closed for administration and outreach. We are looking for- ward to meeting you or seeing you again on your return visit. KellyOsborne,retiredU.S. Coast Guard, is the Veterans Service Officer for Tehama County. VSONEWS Prescription drug price reductions available More than a year ago the Corning Patriots started a fundraising effort to pur- chase and pay for the training of a new K-9 dog and an officer to act as the canine's handler-partner. When the group started the project its members never imagined that they would reach their $20,000 goal so quickly. On Dec. 20 the group's members announced that Red Bluff Masonic Lodge 84 donated another $2,000, bringing the fund- raising to a successful con- clusion. The Corning Patriots are now in the process of turning over a total of $21,310.88 to the city of Corning. "The Red Bluff Masonic Lodge, Los Molinos Lodge 150 and Molino Eastern Star 83 were pleased to work together to make a combined donation of $8,000 to this worthwhile cause," said the Red Bluff Lodge's Greg Rose. The Corning Police De- partment has been without a K-9 team since K-9 offi- cer-handler Jeremiah Fears was promoted to chief, and his K-9 Oso retired. "The outpouring of sup- port of numerous people, businesses and clubs in the community enabled us to raise the funds that were needed to replace our police department's K-9 team," said Jerry Lequia, of the Corning Patriots. "We want to thank every- one for their generosity in support of enhanced public safety in our community." CORNING PATRIOTS CONTRIBUTED Advocacy American Legion, Lassen Post 0167 Red Bluff, 528-1026 American Legion, Raisner Post 45 Corning, 518-3152 Am Vets, Post 2002 Corning, 526-2883 VFW Los Molinos, 384-1301 Red Bluff, 528-1026 Corning Post 4218 District 15 Auxiliary 4218, District 15 824-5957 DAV 529-4579 Marine Corps League, Detachment 1140 (888) MCL-1140 Military Family Support Group 529-1852 or 529-2416 Services Tehama County Veterans Service Of- fice 529-3664 Tehama County Veterans Collaborative Tehama Together, 527-2223 Veteran Resource Center Chico (530) 809-2831 Redding (530) 223-3211 VA Crisis Hotline (800) 273-8255 VA Homeless Outreach (530) 247-7917 Redding VA Outpatient Clinic (530) 226-7555 Chico VA Outpatient Clinic (530) 879-5000 Veterans Home, Redding (530) 224-3800 Faith Based Advocacy PATH — Poor And The Homeless 736-3959 Pastor Dave Lambers, VCF 736-3400 Serving veterans? If your local organization or govern- ment entity offers service specific to vet- erans, send contact information to edi- tor@redbluffdailynews.com, fax to 527- 9251 or drop it off at 728 Main Street in Red Bluff during business hours to be added to this listing. RESOURCES Veterans services, advocacy groups K-9 fundraiser re ac he s it s go al Pictured are Corning Police Chief Jeremiah Fears and Corning Patriots' K-9Fund Chairman Jerry Lequia. Kelly Osborne LIFESTYLES » redbluffdailynews.com Saturday, December 24, 2016 » MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A6