thedrifter
02-05-07, 05:42 PM
Program paid $186 million to injured in 2006
By Jim Tice - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Feb 5, 2007 17:24:54 EST
A special insurance program for assisting traumatically-injured service members paid out nearly $184 million in 2006, the first year of operation.
Traumatic Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance was established by Congress in late 2005 to assist severely wounded warriors and their families deal with the tough financial challenges associated with traumatic injuries.
About $116 million was paid to Army soldiers last year, more than double any of the other military services, such as the Marines at $55 million, according to information the Human Resources Command.
Under the TSGLI program, approved claimants receive a one-time payment of up to $100,000, based on the severity and type of injury.
Despite the large payout in claims, Army officials said the program is not well known, and they would like to see an increase in the approval rate for claims, and a reduction in the time taken to process claims.
The approval rate for claims is running at slightly less than 50 percent, the same as the other services, according to data from Col. John F. Sackett, chief of the Army Physical Disability Agency TSGLI division at the Human Resources Command.
Claims processing averages 12 days, which because of the volume of soldier injuries in the war on terrorism, is slightly longer than the other services, Sackett said.
Lack of knowledge and misconceptions about the program are barriers to better service, according to Sackett.
“These barriers create situations where soldiers who are not eligible file claims, while soldiers who are eligible file claims without providing the documentation that allows us to adjudicate the claim quickly,” he said.
Two major misconceptions about the program are:
* TSGLI is only for combat injuries.
Not so: any qualifying injury incurred after Dec. 1, 2005, is eligible for coverage.
The only exception is the retroactive program, which covers soldiers injured during the period Oct. 7, 2001 through Nov. 30, 2005, but only if they were injured in a combat zone tax-exclusion area supporting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
* A healthcare provider’s statement is all that is needed to verify a TSGLI claim.
Not so: While a healthcare provider’s certification is required, additional documentation must be provided to substantiate the certification, such as medical reports and tests.
Specific information about claim requirements can be viewed at the TSGLI Web site.
To help educate people about the program, the Army has launched an aggressive outreach campaign featuring a new website, logo, tagline (“Helping heroes in time of need”), educational materials and briefings at military conferences and events.
Soldiers, families, counselors and other interested persons can contact the TSGLI division directly at TSGLI@conus.army.mil, or by phone toll-free at 1-800-237-1336.
Ellie
By Jim Tice - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Feb 5, 2007 17:24:54 EST
A special insurance program for assisting traumatically-injured service members paid out nearly $184 million in 2006, the first year of operation.
Traumatic Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance was established by Congress in late 2005 to assist severely wounded warriors and their families deal with the tough financial challenges associated with traumatic injuries.
About $116 million was paid to Army soldiers last year, more than double any of the other military services, such as the Marines at $55 million, according to information the Human Resources Command.
Under the TSGLI program, approved claimants receive a one-time payment of up to $100,000, based on the severity and type of injury.
Despite the large payout in claims, Army officials said the program is not well known, and they would like to see an increase in the approval rate for claims, and a reduction in the time taken to process claims.
The approval rate for claims is running at slightly less than 50 percent, the same as the other services, according to data from Col. John F. Sackett, chief of the Army Physical Disability Agency TSGLI division at the Human Resources Command.
Claims processing averages 12 days, which because of the volume of soldier injuries in the war on terrorism, is slightly longer than the other services, Sackett said.
Lack of knowledge and misconceptions about the program are barriers to better service, according to Sackett.
“These barriers create situations where soldiers who are not eligible file claims, while soldiers who are eligible file claims without providing the documentation that allows us to adjudicate the claim quickly,” he said.
Two major misconceptions about the program are:
* TSGLI is only for combat injuries.
Not so: any qualifying injury incurred after Dec. 1, 2005, is eligible for coverage.
The only exception is the retroactive program, which covers soldiers injured during the period Oct. 7, 2001 through Nov. 30, 2005, but only if they were injured in a combat zone tax-exclusion area supporting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
* A healthcare provider’s statement is all that is needed to verify a TSGLI claim.
Not so: While a healthcare provider’s certification is required, additional documentation must be provided to substantiate the certification, such as medical reports and tests.
Specific information about claim requirements can be viewed at the TSGLI Web site.
To help educate people about the program, the Army has launched an aggressive outreach campaign featuring a new website, logo, tagline (“Helping heroes in time of need”), educational materials and briefings at military conferences and events.
Soldiers, families, counselors and other interested persons can contact the TSGLI division directly at TSGLI@conus.army.mil, or by phone toll-free at 1-800-237-1336.
Ellie