Dec 25 - Christmas

Dec 30 - Rizal Day

Weather Alert - U.S. Embassy Manila

Location: The Philippines

Event: Typhoon Kammuri (local name Tisoy) is forecast to make landfall over Catanduanes, Albay, or Sorsogon the evening of Monday, December 2 to early morning, Tuesday, December 3 and track westward. Residents of the affected storm path may experience strong winds and heavy rains, with possible flooding, landslides, and dangerous driving conditions, on Tuesday, December 3 through Wednesday, December 4.

Actions to Take:

• Avoid travel to typhoon affected areas until the storm has departed the Philippines.
• Monitor local media for updates.
• Notify friends and family of your safety.
• Review your personal security plans.
• Have travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
• Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
• Seek secure shelter in heavy wind and rain.
• Monitor the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration website at PAG-ASA Website.

Based on the above we can not predict at this time when the mail run will occur. As soon as we know if the courier feels safe in making the trip we will publish it. Thank you for your cooperation. Stay safe!

Army Recruitment Visit RAO Subic

We are happy to announce that the U.S. Army will be doing a recruiting visit to our office on November 13, 2019. Must meet the following requirements:

1. Must be a U.S. Citizen or green Card Holder
2. Age range of 17 (with parental consent) to 34
3. Graduated High School
4. Height and weight proportionate
5. No criminal record
6. No major health issues

RAO Staff Training

We are proud to announce that all the staff members of the RAO are now certified to provide emergency assistance in First Aid/CPR and AED, in the event a member suffers a sudden illness or accident while visiting us. We are proud to continue to help our heroes.

Reminder

AA meetings held at RAO M-F 1200 to 1300

Toys for Tykes

We are into the second week of our annual fund drive for the program and are doing pretty good, remenber we are having bake sales, cookies, pies, RAO coffee and umbrellas on Wednesday. Stop by get your mail and give a little something for the Tykes, while enjoying some great baked goods. Donate P1000 and get a month off 2020 dues.

UPCOMING CLINIC CLOSURES:

The U.S. Embassy, along with the VA Manila Regional Office and Outpatient Clinic, will be closed in recognition of the following public holidays:

Monday, October 14

Friday, November 1

Monday, November 11

US Thanksgiving Day

NOTE: Plan ahead and order your refills 10 work days in advance of holiday closures. Air21 is closed on Philippine holidays so medications will be delayed if you fail to request refills 10 days in advance. If you run out of medications for a service connected condition, you can buy the medicine and file a claim for reimbursement from the FMP.

VA Update

Halloween

stop by the RAO on 30 and 31 October, with your little witches and goblins for some trick or treats, they will enjoy the decorations.

Coming Soon

RAO has ordered a large single page 2020 calendar. It also lists all the holidays in the margin. On sale soon. It's big enough to satisfy even the optically challenged.

Toys For Tykes

Next time you stop for mail pick-up buy some baked goods, coffee cups or umbrellas to support our annual Christmas drive for the kids.

VA Meds Delay via Mail

Some of us have experienced a delayed receipt of our refills via mail. This is not due to any delay caused by the VA, but rather is due to a security policy change. Our courier now picks up the meds from FPO. Previously he would pick up at VA, but change, has resulted in delays. We now have to wait for VA to send the meds to FPO for our pick-up. Depending on the day they send them to FPO, dictates when we will receive them IE: they send them on Thursday that means they don't get picked up until the following Wed on the normal mail run. We are discussing this with VA leadership to see what we can do to avoid any delays, stay tuned.

Great Information for Subic Bay Area

Making Subic Experience Awesome! SubicGo.com is a tourism portal designed for local and international tourists visiting the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

SubicGo

GREAT NEWS!
Its official, as of today 16 August 2018, Ace/Baypointe is authorized to accept Tricare patients under the Preferred Provider category. You will have to check with the HMO office to ensure your Dr. is also on the Preferred Provider list. There are currently 31 Dr's who are, but check to be sure or you will have to pay the Dr's fees.

And oh by the way, please resist the urge to repeat the bad news bears (you know the ones who have their names stenciled on the back of their bar stool) who are spreading rumors about ACE BAYPOINTE and Medical City Clark suspending FMP due to non payment. IT DIDNT HAPPEN! Medical city Ortigas did due to non payment by FMP. Come to find out they gave FMP the wrong mailing address to which FMP mailed the payments. All is fixed now and they have withdrawn the suspension.Â

Old saying better to be quiet and be thought a fool, than opening mouth and leave no doubt.

I have taken the opportunity to compile a list of what Drs, and Specialties AT ACE BAYPOINTE, to the best of my knowledge are also certified as preferred providers. The hospital is in the process of adding to this list. As you all are aware this list changes without notice, so before getting treatment it would be to your benefit to check with the hospital HMO office to ensure the Dr you will receive treatment from is in fact still certified as preferred. The HMO can be reached at 047-250-6070 ext 283 or 507.

Name Name	Specialization Specialization	Gender Gender
Ablang, Alberto Mariano, MD	Pediatrics, Critical Care	Male
Ablang, Marietta, MD	Internal Medicine, Cardiology	Female
Aguila, Beverly, MD	Internal Medicine, Cardiology	Female
Aguila, Beverly, MD	Internal Medicine, Cardiology	Female
Aguilar, Rodrigo	Gastronology/Int Med	Male
Alconga, Rudy	Pediatrics	Male
Bernal, Gerald, MD	Internal Medicine, Cardiology	Male
Bongco, Jesusa	Anesthesiology	Female
Bongco, Rosario	Endocrinology	Male
Bustamante, Rodrick	Anesthesiology	Male
Calapatia, David, MD	Family Medicine	Male
Cepeda, Armando, MD	Surgery, General	Male
Cepeda, Monette, MD	Neurology	Female
De Castro, Felicisimo, MD	Ophthalmology	Male
De Castro, Ma. Gloria, MD	Obstetrics & Gynecology	Female
Dela Cruz, Anthony, MD	Internal Medicine, Diabetology; Occupational Health	Male
Dela Paz, Emmanuel, MD	Orthopedics	Male
DeLeon, Roberto	Gen Surgery	Male
Edejer, Karl Erjon, MD	Anesthesiology	Male
Guevara, Luis, MD	Radiology	Male
Hipolito, Charina	Internal Medicine, Pulmonology	Female
Mallari, Lourdes	ENT Ear, Nose,Throat	Female
Mangahas, Rolan	Opthamology	Male
Manuel, Jesse Jewel, MD	Surgery, Orthopedic	Male
Mendoza, Arturo, Jr., MD	Surgery, General (Laparoscopic)	Male
Ocampo, Armida, MD	Internal Medicine, Pulmonology	Female
Pasqual, Jeanette	Orthopedics	Male
Rojo, Margaret, MD	Anesthesiology	Female
Santos, Wilfredo, MD	Surgery, General ; Surgery, Oncology	Male
Soriano, Maria Agnes, MD	Internal Medicine, Diabetology	Female
Tablan, Apolonario Jr	Urology	Male
Velchez, Carlos	Hematology/Int Med	Male
Hipolito, Charina	Internal Medicine, Pulmonology	Female
Villareal, Paolo, MD	Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology	Male

FMP/Tricare

We continue to see vets who are receiving EOB's and checks for treatment at Medical City and Baypointe (ACE). Please be aware you should not cash these checks. They should be given to the hospitals. Should you cash the check a few things can happen, 1st FMP or Tricare may demand repayment, if you don't they can notify the IRS and either a garnishment or 1099 will be received and they get their money in the end possibly including interest. It can also be placed on your credit report. Secondly, you may be refused future treatment at the hospitals as you have an outstanding balance. Worst of all we may lose the hospitals as providers for FMP or Tricare. Sure wouldn't want to be the guy who causes all your fellow vets to lose that, they might be a little pissed when they find out it was you! You know how quickly word spreads around here!

Videos

Just want to draw your attention to some very useful videos being offered for free through va by psycharmor. View their catalog at https://psycharmor.Org/course s/s-a-v-e/.

Urgent Update: Reimbursment Checks:

It appears there is a malfunction with both TRICARE and FMP regarding reimbursement checks. They incorrectly recently have been sending the checks to the veteran vice the provider. Both have been notified this is the incorrect way to handle these checks! If you receive a check for a claim that was filed by the Hospital, please do not cash it. The hospitals participation was negotiated so that the hospital would receive payment. If they do not we will lose their services. The payment must be taken to the hospital and signed over to them to be encashed.

Special thank you to police station 6 Barrio Baretto for notification of recently deceased American Citizen! Their handling of situation was extremely professional, thanks SPO De Leon.