Got a check from DFAS, interesting?

R

Ralphmac

PEB Forum Regular Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Hello all,

I received a paper check from DFAS today for the month of January. Keep in mind this is a month after I was given retirement via PDBR, so I should have been back paid since December 29, 2006. I'm not exactly sure they know what they are doing over there. Also, I just turned in my finance packet last Monday with all of the dependent information, SBP, and bank account information. Either way, I'm most likely going to have to pay that check back because my VA compensation is more than the military retirement. I do have a question and I hope someone with some knowledge could answer. I was originally discharged with severance and 10% from the VA. The VA rating was later upgraded to 20% and then in Jul 08 it was raised to 60%. My question is, shouldn't I be paid a year and a half worth of pay from DFAS based upon the fact that my retirement pay would have been more than VA compensation from basically Jan 07 thru June-08? I did receive severance pay when medically discharged from the Army. Even so, DFAS can only take 40% of that back pay by law. I think I'm due some back pay based upon the circumstances. This pay stuff is going to be interesting to say the least.

Thanks,

Mac
 
Mac,


Dude, I feel your pain. Not sure how it's all going to go down. I'd also like to know how the VA is going to handle the recoupment of severance pay issue. MY understanding is that both entities (VA and DoD) have the legal right to recoup but that they will coordinate (yeah, right!) to make sure they are not over-recouping. I'm also not sure about the law you are referring to regarding DoD only being allowed to take 40% of back payments. I'm pretty sure in my case that nothing will change...I won't receive any money from DoD because VA disability is greater and they will probably continue to recoup the severance I did receive. The CRSC glitch will insure that I receive nothing from that program either. Hahahahaha...you just gotta laugh at it all, it really is kind of comical when you think of it. I hope you get an answer from someone that knows because I'd be very interested to find out myself.

Kevin
 
What glitch with CRSC if you dont mind? I think i may be going to get hosed if retired by the PDBR also. I had adverse reactions to the Anthrax Vac. while onboard ship during the Kosovo campaign. Spent 6 weeks at Walter Reed adverse reaction clinic but VA or DoD doesnt recognize this and I'm classified as "unknown Illness". So wondering if I will rate CRSC since was in "combat zone" when reaction occured. Have all shot records with dates and symptoms documented during the dates on my campaign medals so wondering if something like that happened to you orion? Any input greatly appreciated. Just dont know if they will recognize that as linked to combat or as a result of training?? I kind of fall through the cracks cause not to many of us anthrax guys going through the PDBR (I went from 20% from the Corps to 80% with VA 8 months later for the 3 things I was med boarded for) so once again anyone out there similar??
 
Well I called DFAS today and the guy on the phone who seemed to be a little clueless on the situation (I can't blame him), told me to write a letter to DFAS explaining everything. He really seemed like he wanted to get me off the phone because the situation was something he knows nothing about. This whole situation stinks to high heaven based upon the fact that there seems to have been no coordination between DFAS and the PDBR. As far as them only being able to recoup 40% of your retirement if you received a severance pay and have to pay it back, that information is on the DFAS website. See my severance pay, must read!!! post in this forum. I did send an email and will post more once I get an response.
 
I got my PDBR results back in September 2010 then it was forwarded to the NAVY and DFAS in December 2010. I got my military retiree card and corrected dd214 fairly quickly. however, it is almost the end of February and I still have not received any update from DFAS even though I harrass them every day. As far as the backpay for medical expenses that i payed for out of pocket from 2006 to December 2010 no one (DFAS or Tricare) can give me the right way to go on getting this process started. any help is appreciated.
 
If your conditions were combat related or cause by an intrumentality of war and oyu get 20% with severance, you will not have to pay anything back. It is not recouped.

If you didnt have the above.... You will pay it all back before your full VA payments kick in. It doesnt matter if you feel entitled based on what you feel is appropriate to happen. They go by a set of rules, and they will never deviate from those when money is involved. Government is very good about not forgetting where their money went.
 
crazy4j228 said:
I got my PDBR results back in September 2010 then it was forwarded to the NAVY and DFAS in December 2010. I got my military retiree card and corrected dd214 fairly quickly. however, it is almost the end of February and I still have not received any update from DFAS even though I harrass them every day. As far as the backpay for medical expenses that i payed for out of pocket from 2006 to December 2010 no one (DFAS or Tricare) can give me the right way to go on getting this process started. any help is appreciated.
Click to expand...

crazy4j228,

You will need to file claims with Tri-Care for this. You will only get paid the Tri-Care standard rate. Either download (I'm not sure of the form name) the form or go by your nearest Tri-Care office. Also, you will need all of your invoices/insurance payments out of pocket. From what I hear, it's a long process dealing with Tri-Care to get money back. Someone did post something about this in this forum, so try a search for it.
 
My husband was retired through the PDBR. The way I got Tricare to pay was:
1. Wait till you are in their system
2. Call and speak with a supervisor and explain this entire situation to them. Take down their name and phone number.
3. Call all of the Dr.'s offices and hospitals and have them submit the claims to Tricare.... most will not want to do this, especially if the claims have been paid in full, but if you give them the whole story they probably will.
4. Call Tricare after every claim is sent to them and speak with the same person. They have a habit of "not receiving" claims, or "not possessing them properly". I think is because they are not use to receiving old claims, and not everyone there understands what is going on. If you can- have the dr.'s office or hospital fax the claims to the person you spoke to at Tricare. You will basically have to walk the claims through the process. Ask them to send you the EOB's (explanation of benefits) and have them answer all of the questions you have. I have found many errors, like a co payment for an IV on an ER visit. They can not charge a "co-payment" for an IV unless it is inpatient.

Because you were not "prime" they will only pay at the standard rate. I was able to have them pay for every medical bill (their portion). It took a lot of time, and many phone calls. It can be done.

No one called me or contacted me to "pay back" the medical bills after her received tricare. I had to figure this out on my own. I do wish there was a way for them to pay the prime rate, or pay me back for all the money I had to spend for other health insurance. If anyone has an idea on how to do that please let me know!!!!

Good luck!D
 
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