*** Mission Notes ***
1. Integrity. An integral part of our duties and responsibilities includes being good stewards with US taxpayer dollars. Be advised and forewarned we will not knowingly help applicants file false claims! Any attempts at intentionally filing a false application or claim to defraud the U.S. Government will immediately terminate assistance from our office, and your name being forwarded to the Chief, JUSMAGTHAI, and the U.S. Federal Government agencies involved. Full disclosure is the only lawfully acceptable method.
2. Courtesy and Respect. We routinely handle a large amount of Privacy Act information that is protected by law, and plainly speaking, is none of anyone else’s business. Therefore, please show us (and any visitors ahead of you in the queue) the proper respect and courtesy by not barging into any of our offices nor interrupting when we’re assisting customers. It is our professional promise that we will take every precaution possible to respect and safeguard the privacy and dignity of all customers. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
3. Privacy Act and Release of Information. Beneficary information is protected by the Privacy Act of 1974 (amended) and medical information is further protected by Federal Regulations, Title 42, CFR Part 2. By law, we are only authorized to release limited information. Other release of information may only be authorized by the beneficiary. For example: We sometimes need to share information with Veterans Service Organizations (such as the VFW or DAV) to aid the benefits process, but only if authorized to do so by the beneficiary.
4. Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). The JUSMAG-THAI (Admin Section) Customer Service Hours for U.S. Uniformed Services (USUS) ID Cards and DEERS updates are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 0800-1100 hours. These days and times are hard and fast, so plan accordingly. Be sure to bring your current USUS ID Card and any documentation pertinent to your visit. Two pieces of current Thai or U.S. Government-issued photo identifcation showing Name, Date of Birth and Signature. For ID Card renewals, you must bring your current USUS Identification Card. Since the DEERS system sometimes "goes down" it's best to call ahead before you travel to JUSMAG. (Ext. 180)
5. TRICARE (JUSMAG-THAI). Customer Service hours for retirees, dependents and widows, are Wednesday and Thursday, 0800-1100 & 1300-1500, and; Friday, 1300-1400. These days and times are hard and fast, so plan accordingly. Bring your current U.S. Uniformed Services ID Card (DD-2 or DD-1173) and any documentation pertinent to your visit. For more information please visit: http://www.jusmagthai.com/medical.html.
6. Medicare and TRICARE. In order to keep your TRICARE benefits (TRICARE For Life) when you turn 65, you must be eligible for Medicare Part A and join/purchase Medicare Part B. Apply for Medicare Part B 90 days before your 65th birthday in order to avoid a gap in TRICARE coverage. There are also certain conditions when a beneficiary under the age of 65 must join Medicare Part B in order to retain TRICARE benefits. Since the TRICARE-Medicare link can be somewhat confusing, TRICARE has some easy to understand information here. Click here for information on Medicare Part B from the Social Security Administration.
7. While we gladly provide assistance on a range of issues, there are some things we don't do:
• Loan or Gift Money. The RAO is not an aid organization. One of the many valuable skills the military taught all of us is personal responsibility and initiative. Even when you make the correct choices, "Life" sometimes happens to the best of us, and emergencies arise that quickly eclipse our reserves. Quite often then the best course of action is to return to the U.S. where public and private assistance is more readily available. Emergency Assistance is available through the U.S. State Department: American Citizen Services (ACS) / ACS (Bangkok) / ACS (Chiang Mai).
• Political Issues. We realize some of you are very passionate about certain issues, such as having to pay for healthcare (TRICARE and Medicare fees). But, as an example, angrily venting your displeasure on the TRICARE Nurses or RAO staff doesn't benefit anyone, and doesn't help effect change. RAO staff acting in an official capacity are not authorized to contact elected officials, but you most certainly may.
• Retiree Mail and APO Mailboxes. RAO personnel acting in an official capacity are not authorized to retrieve and/or open postal mail from retiree APO mailboxes. JUSMAG APO Mailroom: Monday-Friday, 1030-1200 & 1300-1600. Please save any phone calls for after 1300 hours. (Ext. 168)
• Thai Immigration. We regularly receive requests for information regarding Thai Immigration Policy. We'll give you their contact information, but we decline to answer specific questions. Thai Immigration routinely makes short-notice changes to Visa and entry requirements, and their rules generally don't seem to be applied uniformly between Immigration Offices, Royal Thai Embassy's and Consulates. It's often a roll of the dice.
• U.S. Immigration. We sometimes receive angry phone calls (and visitors) when a Visa to the U.S. has been denied for a spouse or significant other. Our office has ZERO involvement or leverage with the Visa process. We understand your frustration; there's absolutely nothing our office can do. U.S. State Department: Visas. U.S. Embassy, Bangkok: Visas. U.S. Consulate General, Chiang Mai: Visas to the U.S.
8. This webpage contains and supplements official U.S. Government sources. If you believe information on this webpage conflicts with other official information, please contact us for clarification.
9. This webpage is our beta version--more to follow during the coming months (e.g. Survivor Assistance preparation).
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HQ JUSMAG-THAI
Retiree Activities Office (RAO)
7 Sathorn Tai Rd.
Bangkok 10120 Thailand
|
HQ JUSMAG-THAI
MAGTJS-RAO
APO AP 96546-5000
|
| • Service Hours:
Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday •
09:30a.m.-14:30p.m.
• Lengthy or Complicated Issues, Please Call or Email to make an Appointment •
Retiree Activities Office (RAO) - Thailand (2009)
|
