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Military Families May Need to Pay for ER Visits in the Future

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There are a range of proposals being discussed in Congress right now for the 2016 fiscal year that affect military families. The Tricare reforms catch our attention because of the changes to procedures or policies in our health care system. One detail that particularly stands out is the proposed changes in emergency room care.

Military Families May Need to Pay for ER Visits in the Future

An ER fee is only a single proposal among many that are being considered by lawmakers related to health care for military families.

Under the 2016 plan, military families would have to pay a fee depending on your sponsor’s rank to utilize emergency room care for a misused visit.

What would deem a misused visit?

That’s still up for debate and can spark a whole new issue if the proposal does get approved.

Military Families May Need to Pay for ER Visits in the Future

Do you frequently visit the ER because your MTF is closed at nights or on the weekends?

Military families are rallying together to oppose the emergency room fees arguing that often times we are driven to use ERs for immediate care. When a parent would call their local MTF (Military Treatment Facility), it might be weeks or at worst months to schedule an appointment with their PCM (Primary Care Manager).

Additional factors that drive families to ER visits are MTF locations closed at needed times (evenings or weekends), not being able to receive the proper referrals to an Urgent Care facility and not to mention, the wait for paperwork to get pushed through, so you can start utilizing your new MTF location.

For example, immediately after my PCS to Virginia (literally 3 days after we moved in), I caught a sinus infection. My husband wasn’t due to report for another couple weeks, but I knew I had to see a doctor as soon as possible. Because of the tight turnaround, I didn’t have the proper paperwork ready or even changed our MTF facility yet. At the recommendation of hospital personnel, I used the emergency room so I could be seen and receive prompt attention.

Would this circumstance be considered a legitimate emergency under this proposal?

Also, you never really know what would constitute as a non-emergency when you may not actually know what’s going on yet. For example, if your daughter is complaining about her knee after a hard fall, do you take her to the ER on Saturday morning? Or wait it out until Monday when the MTF is open?

This proposal leaves a lot of questions unanswered and as a result, we start playing the waiting game on our family members’ health.

Keep in mind that adding a fee to emergency room care is only a single proposal among many that are being discussed by lawmakers. National Military Family Association, a nonprofit that advocates for military families on Capitol Hill, breaks it down for us here.

NMFA argues that the problem stems from military families not given the proper avenues for urgent care and day-of appointments. The organization is working toward “improved access to acute care appointments for all military families using MTFs.”

In addition, NMFA started a petition for this particular issue. If you disagree with the emergency room care fee, sign their petition here.

What do you think of this proposal? Do you frequently visit the ER because your MTF is closed at nights or on the weekends?

Delicious Sweet Potatoes Recipes You’ll Want to Try

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Delicious Sweet Potatoes Recipes You'll Want to TryFebruary is National Sweet Potato Month. It’s a great time to introduce your family to this delicious and nutritious vegetable. If you have picky eaters, this might be one vegetable they’ll actually eat.

Sweet potatoes are very flavorful and sweet enough on their own that you won’t need to add other ingredients to get your family to eat them.

My son loves sweet potatoes. I still laugh at the memory of his face the first time he tried them at 7 months old; it was priceless. Two seconds later he decided he loved them. From that moment on he would cry when I ran out of sweet potatoes. It didn’t matter how much I made; he just loved them so much. He’s almost a year and a half now and he still loves them. I don’t need to hide them under cheese, like I do with broccoli, or anything else to get him to eat them either.

I love that sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients such as vitamin A and beta carotene. Vitamin A promotes eye and skin health and also protects against infections. Beta carotene has been shown to help in the prevention of specific types of cancer such as lung cancer. Sweet potatoes also have other important nutrients including vitamin C, potassium and fiber.

These health benefits are all great reasons to add sweet potatoes to your regular menu. Make sure when you’re shopping at the commissary to look for ones that are firm, deep orange and not discolored and when you get home, store them in a cool, dry and well-ventilated area. Also make sure that you choose the right kind of sweet potato for the recipe you plan to use.

Related: Use Food to Boost Your Mood

Did you know all sweet potatoes aren’t the same? In fact, sweet potatoes aren’t potatoes at all. They come from a completely different family of plants. While sweet potatoes and yams look similar, they too are not related. To make things more confusing, many grocery stores in America market sweet potatoes as yams. How can you tell the difference?

Yams have a cylindrical shape with blackish or brown, bark-like skin and white, purple or reddish flesh. Sweet potato skin color can range from white and yellow to red, purple and brown, while the flesh can be white, yellow, orange or even orange-red. These vegetables have an elongated shape with tapered ends.

There are 2 main types of sweet potatoes in America: Firm ones have golden skin and a paler flesh than soft sweet potatoes, which have copper skin and orange flesh. They cook differently as well. Firm sweet potatoes will remain firm after cooking and a bit waxy while soft sweet potatoes will become creamy, fluffy and moist. Soft sweet potatoes are often labeled as yams and they are the ones Americans typically use at holiday dinners for casseroles, baked sweet potatoes, sweet potato pies and more. Make sure you check with your recipe to see which type of sweet potato you need before you shop.

Need a sweet potato recipe? Celebrate National Sweet Potato Month throughout February with these delicious recipes.

Sweet potato fries make a great snack. Follow Amy Chow’s tips for easy fries.

Fluffy sweet potato biscuits are always a welcome sight. Try Paula Deen’s version. You can also try this sweet potato muffins recipe.

Mashed sweet potatoes are simple to make and are a delicious side dish to any meal. Follow this recipe and add a touch of cinnamon for a little something special.

Have leftover mashed sweet potatoes? Make sweet potato pancakes!

Of course you can always just poke some holes in a scrubbed sweet potato and pop it in the  microwave on high for 8 to 10 minutes and enjoy the simplicity of the vegetable. That is how I usually serve them at home; no fancy recipe needed. If you really want to get your children excited about dinner, let them drizzle some maple syrup on their baked sweet potato or add a dash of cinnamon. Sweet potatoes reheat pretty well, so if they don’t love them tonight, add them to a new recipe and try again tomorrow.

Sweet Potato Recipes You Will Want to Try

Does your family love sweet potatoes? Share your favorite sweet potato recipes with MilitaryShoppers.

Tips for Traveling with Children During the Hectic Holidays

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Traveling with children during the holidays can be an adventure. The key to a stress free trip (oh how we wish) is preparation. You’ve spent countless hours making sure every detail is taken care of for your family these holidays. Something is, of course, going to go wrong however. Flights get delayed or worse, canceled. Cars get flat tires and holiday traffic can slow down your travel time.

To keep your sanity while driving or flying with your children this holiday season, use these travel tips to find peace and joy.

Tips for Holiday Travel with Children

Expect delays when traveling this holiday season.

  1. Mentally prepare yourself that something might go wrong. The holidays are stressful enough; don’t add to it by expecting travel to be perfect.
  2. Prepare early. There’s nothing like the stress that comes with the last minute to-do list.
  3. Make a list of what needs to be packed and check items off as they go into the suitcase. Keep the list on top of the suitcase until you leave so you don’t question yourself 50 times whether you packed your daughter’s favorite pajamas or your own toothbrush.
  4. Buy small new toys to entertain your children. We all wish our kids would sit patiently but what really happens is they get bored. You don’t need to dip into your Hanukkah or Christmas fund; pick up a few things at the Dollar Store. A new coloring book with Jake and the Never Land Pirates crayons can buy you some extra quiet time.
  5. Pack snacks and drinks. There is nothing worse than a “hangry” child (angry because they are hungry). Choose sippy cups that don’t spill and snacks that aren’t messy. Have wipes and a plastic bag for the trash.

    Tips for Holiday Travel with Children

    What do you pack to keep your children busy?

Driving Tips

  • Make sure the car is clean and extra items are removed. Children will make a mess and you will accumulate things throughout the road trip.
  • Stock the car with supplies. Pack toys, snacks, paper towels and plastic bags for the inevitable mess and extra bags in case your child gets motion sickness.
  • Place things strategically in the car so that they are easy to reach. You don’t want to listen to your daughter beg for something she can’t reach for the next 50 miles. Make sure you can reach things too so you can keep your eyes on the road.
  • Consider your child’s sleep schedule. If it is a short drive, consider waiting closer to nap time so that they may sleep longer. If it is a long drive consider leaving early in the morning so they sleep the first few hours.
  • Dress in layers so that they can be removed in the car. We’ve all heard the whine of “I’m hot” or “I’m cold.” Everyone isn’t going to be comfortable at the same temperature so layers will help even that out.
  • Have directions in more than one area. If your toddler is playing on your phone and your car’s GPS suddenly says “recalculating,” one of you might have a meltdown. He is not going to want to give it up and you need directions. You could do a crazy thing…print out directions.
  • Incorporate bathroom breaks and stretching stops. Make each child “try” to go to the bathroom so you don’t have another one asking to stop 5 minutes later. Provide the opportunity to get out of the car and stretch. Let the kids run around at a rest stop. They’ll wear themselves out and you’ll have some time of peace back in the car again.
  • If your children fall asleep, utilize this as “me time.” Listen to an audio book or grownup music. Turning the radio off and just having a moment of quiet can help you relax as well.

    Tips for Holiday Travel with Children

    Do you prefer to board first or board the airplane last with your kids?

Plane Tips

  • Completely empty your diaper bag or purse and restock it with only the items you need for the flight. When your baby is crying, digging through your bag for his pacifier while trying to board the plane will stress you out.
  • Get to the airport early. Make sure you have enough time to find parking, check your bag, get through the extra-long security line and still reach your gate with plenty of time.
  • Prepare as if your flight might get delayed. Have extra diapers, formula, snacks and toys.
  • Only pack quiet toys that won’t roll away. This will keep you from being annoyed by a noisy toy or continuously picking up your child’s toy.
  • Board the plane early or last. Families are called to board the plane before the rest of the group. If you need to pop down a stroller or settle your children in their seats this is a great time. If you have a fussing baby or an anxious child, wait until the last person boards to give you time to calm them.

No matter how you travel this holiday season, there are many ways to plan ahead and limit stress. You can’t prevent everything from going wrong, but if you take these steps you might just find the Merry in your Christmas.

Want more tips for traveling with small children? Visit the MilitaryShoppers’ Pinterest page.

10 Ways to Pay It Forward

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As we say hello to December and full steam ahead to Christmas, we can’t help but get caught up with the shopping craze. I’m guilty. I have an internal clock that is counting down my shopping days.

Sometimes we can forget the underlying meaning of the season and miss out on great opportunities to give back to the community. These little acts make a big difference in people’s lives and it all adds up for a positive and promising future. The best part of random acts of kindness are that they are relatively easy to do and can give you a sense of fulfillment.

Want to feel good this holiday season? Pay it forward with these 10 simple ideas:

  1. Help your neighbor. Does the couple across the street desperately need a date night? Or is your neighbor going through a deployment? Offer to watch the kids or head over for a chat. We’ve all been there and need that support. 10 Ways to Pay It Forward and Feel Good This Season
  2. Donate to Toys For Tots or any other charitable organization. It’s easy enough to piggyback another toy in your Christmas shopping and share with families in-need. Keep the love going after the holidays by volunteering with a local charity.
  3. Pitch in for the next person’s coffee. If you’re like me, then you understand the need for coffee. It’s my fuel for the day. When you’re at your favorite coffee shop, let the barista know that you would love to buy a coffee for the next person in line, especially if you notice they are struggling a bit more than you are on that particular morning.
  4. Double your typical tip to commissary baggers. I tend to start conversations with my commissary baggers, especially because I park far away to avoid the congestion closer to the entrance. On one of my first solo commissary adventures, I was particularly moved by a young teen’s determination to save money before he started college. He was the son of a soldier on post and starting his first semester away from home. His story stuck with me because I knew how it felt to be in his shoes. After that, I make it an effort to go the extra mile when I can. It’s just a few more dollars after all.
  5. Sacrifice your parking or line spot to another person. Sometimes we have a sixth sense when it comes down to gauging if a person is in need. When you’re behind the wheel and see someone else that might need that closer spot, motion for them to take it and the same goes for a struggling mom or dad in line at the commissary or exchange.
  6. Raid your closet. Donate items that you haven’t wore in about a year or so because let’s be honest, you probably won’t wear them again anyway. It’s a pre-PCS purge that feels good and helps others.
  7. Host a get-together for a friend. Did you find out about a recent promotion or have another reason to celebrate? Take the time to put together a party in honor of someone else in your life.
  8. Visit your local VA hospital or elderly care facility. Because of the military lifestyle, we may end up setting roots far from our immediate family, especially in our later years. My parents and grandparents live in completely different states– and here I am more than a thousand miles away from both. Try sharing a meal with an elderly couple or just having a conversation. You could learn so much from them and it could make you appreciate the bonds you have within your own family.
  9. Give an unsolicited compliment. If I see another person with cute shoes or purse, I chime in and let them know. It’s a great way to keep the positivity going.
  10. Smile when you can. When you’re having a particularly good day, smile at strangers while running your errands. Your small gesture could help another person get through their not-so-good day. Smiling is infectious! 10 Ways to Pay It Forward and Feel Good This Season

How are you kind to neighbors and strangers this holiday season? Tell us in the comments section.

Creative Deployment Activities for Military Kids

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Deployments can be difficult for anyone, especially the kids. They look at time differently than we do which is why it is so important to keep them busy during a deployment. There might be a lot going on in your community so it is a good idea to fill your calendar with fun events as you find out about them. You should also plan some activities you can do with your kids that will help pass the time.

Composite of Calendar Pages and Clock

Here are some creative activities you can do with your kids during a deployment.

Plan to send a monthly care package and have your kids participate in it. Let them go with you to the store to pick out what you will send. When it comes time to package it all up, let them help with that too. They can put the items in it or they can draw inside the box. It is a great way to keep them connected to their deployed parent. It would be fun to do a holiday or seasonal themed box every month.

Another great thing you can do is create a countdown chain. Create enough links based on when you think the deployment will be over. Have your kids take turns tearing off a new link each day. If you need to add links later, that’s alright. Just try to explain to your kids why you have to do that. If they are young enough, you might not have to explain at all and can just add links as you need to when they are asleep.

Mother and daughter scrapbooking

Taking a lot of photos during a deployment is also a great idea. You can print them out and have your kids work on scrapbooks of all the fun activities you have done. The kids can decorate with stickers and markers and make the pages their own. It can be a great thing to show their mom or dad when they get home from deployment.

Weekly get-togethers are another great thing to do. This is especially true for the younger kids who are not in school yet. It is good for the parent at home as they will be able to spend some time with other children going through the same thing that they are. Find a group of other deployed spouses with young children and ask to see if anyone wants to set up a play date. You might be surprised at how many others would love to do something like that to pass the time.

For older children, you can have them make a deployment bucket list. They can add any parent approved activity they would like to do during the deployment. You can have them paint and then write it on a Popsicle stick and put them in a mason jar. As the months go on, you can do each of the activities that they have picked and make a record of it. This would go along well with the scrapbook.

Deployments are stressful but they don’t have to be boring. There is a lot you can do to help your kids have fun, even when a parent is far away.

What creative activities do you and your kids do to pass the time during a deployment?

Understanding In-State Tuition Options for Veterans Using the Post-9/11 GI Bill

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Understanding the Veterans Access, Choice And Accountability Act of 2014 can be quick and easy. Section 702 specifically states:

The Senate amendment would amend section 3679 of title 38, U.S.C., by adding a new subsection (c) to require VA to disapprove courses of education provided by public institutions of higher learning that charge tuition and fees at more than the in-state resident rate for veterans within three years from discharge from a period of at least 90 days service in the military, irrespective of the veteran’s current state of residence, if the veteran is living in the state in which the institution is located while pursuing that course of education.

Pursuant to subsection (c), this provision would apply to veterans using the educational assistance programs administered by VA under chapters 30 and 33 of title 38, U.S.C., and to dependent beneficiaries using Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits during the three years after the veteran’s discharge. If the veteran or dependent enrolls within three years after the veteran’s discharge, the requirement to charge no more than the in-state tuition rate would apply for the duration the individual remains continuously enrolled at the institution.”

This law was written to help veterans transition from the military to civilian world through higher education and now includes benefits for their spouses and children using the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Previously, public schools were able to charge veterans out-of-state fees if they did not meet in-state requirements. With the passage of the Veterans Access, Choice And Accountability Act of 2014 schools that want to continue to receive Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits must offer veterans in-state tuition or lose those funds.

In-State Tuition for Veterans Using the Post-9/11 GI Bill

What questions do you have about the in-state tuition for veterans bill?

It can be difficult for veterans and their family to establish in-state residency with the amount of moving the military can require. This bill will now bring relief from these burdens for those planning on taking classes July 2015 or later, as this is the deadline for schools to offer in-state tuition to veterans and their family.

Not all public schools will make this easy however. While they must offer in-state tuition, they can still mandate that you prove your intent to stay in that state and eventually become a resident.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia for example requires veterans and their family to prove they have established “domicile” in Virginia. This intent to remain in the state can be established by not only physically residing in Virginia but also changing records to the state. The standard one-year wait most civilians are required to prove they have made Virginia their home is waved for veterans and their families. They can begin classes on the next term once their review has been processed.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Offers In State Tuition to Veterans

 

To take advantage of in-state tuition veterans and their family must begin college courses within 3 years of separation from service. As long as they are enrolled in courses they will be able to continue using this benefit. Again, schools have until July 2015 to offer in-state tuition so be sure to consider this and your timeline for enrollment. Contact the college or university you wish to attend in order to definitively know their policy. Currently, Student Veterans of America has an interactive map outlining state laws and legislation regarding this matter.

What questions do you have about the in-state tuition for veterans bill?

Celebrate Halloween with Our Military Kid Photo Contest

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Halloween is almost here! Such a fun time to dress up the kids in costume and maybe even yourself and your significant other.

halloween

I have always enjoyed Halloween and trying to help my kids decide what they want to be each year. Sometimes they can’t decide and they might wear a couple of different costumes to various events at the end of October. Some years the kids have been super heroes or characters from popular children’s movies, other years it was something more simple like a pirate or a monkey. They are now at the age where they really want to decide which costume they will wear for Halloween each year. I love hearing what they want to dress up as because it is usually based on what they are into at that moment.

Do your kids like to dress up for Halloween? Do you like to get creative when it comes time to figure out what costume they will wear? Do you buy their costumes? Or do you make them? How many photos do you take of your little one  trick or treating? 10? 20?

Instead of simply sharing those adorable costume photos with your family and friends, take 1 minute to share 1 photo with MilitaryShoppers this month and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a $100 Toys R Us e-gift card.

Celebrate Halloween with MilitaryShoppers’ Military Kid Photo Contest

Child in Halloween costume

Submissions need to include:

  • Name of person submitting photo
  • Installation
  • Branch of service
  • Age(s) of child(ren)

Rules:

  • Image must be submitted as .pdf, .jpg or .gif via email to bschmalz@militarymedia.com by November 3, 2014.
  • Entrant’s email address will be added to MilitaryShoppers.com registration email list and therefore will receive future communications from MilitaryShoppers exclusively for military families via email.
  • One winner will be selected on November 6, 2014. Winner will be posted to MilitaryShoppers Facebook page, MilitaryShoppers on Pinterest and MilitaryShoppers.com.
  • One entry per email address.
  • Image must be submitted by entrant who possesses a valid military ID card (Active Duty, Veteran, Retiree, Reserve, Guard or family member of the aforementioned categories.)
  • Entrant must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Winner will be notified via e-mail.
  • No purchase necessary to win.

Good luck and have fun getting the costumes together! We can’t wait to see all the cute kids in their costumes.