Bliss becomes part of eArmyU expansion

WASHINGTON - The Army's online university, eArmyU, added three more posts to participate in the distance-learning program, to include Fort Bliss; Fort Knox, Ky.; and Fort Sill, Okla.

Soldiers stationed at these installations will have the opportunity to enroll in distance-learning programs through their education centers. Currently, eArmyU is offered at 11 installations throughout the United States and overseas.

"We do have the program here at Fort Bliss, only we have a different version: we do not offer laptop computers. It's a funding issue," said Fort Bliss Education Director Ken Bonscher.

The Army is looking at the program in its entirety, and using Bliss as a test site, Bonscher explained. "The Army is saying, 'What can we do to continue this program, and in what form are we going to continue this,'ÉThey're saying, 'Ok, Fort Bliss and Fort Sill, if you offered eArmyU to your soldiers without the laptop, what kind of response would we get,'" Bonsher said.

More than 30,500 soldiers are taking online classes in 37 countries around the world including Kosovo, Japan and Afghanistan.

Thus far, 84 soldiers have graduated and 20 percent have re-enlisted or extended. More than 27 percent of the eArmyU program participants have never participated in a college program before enrolling.

"There's been a change," Bonscher said. "When the program first came out in 2000, it was first-come, first-served. So the first hundred people signed up, got a laptop, and went about their business. Now, to get into this program, you have to make your unit's Order of Merit list."

To make the unit's Order of Merit list, soldiers must meet specific criteria. Soldiers must be active-duty, with at least one year until ETS. Soldier should have graduated high school, or received his GED. Unit commanders and first sergeants will then look at the individual's potential for success, organizational skills, computer knowledge, and soldier should have GT score of 110 or higher. (Please note this is only a screening method and should not prevent recommendation.)

"Distance learning opportunities continue to be in high demand," said Lt. Col. Anthony Jimenez, eArmyU program director. "With eArmyU, we are providing soldiers with unparalleled access to reach their academic goals."

Before checking with the Bliss Education Center at 568-7161 about eArmyU, soldiers need to first make their unit's Order of Merit list. Then those soldiers selected for the program will be further briefed. Interested parties should contact their unit's orderly room.

Eligible soldiers who enroll at accredited institutions will receive 100 percent tuition, books and course fees up to the cap $250 per semester hour and a fiscal year tuition ceiling of $4,500 established by the Department of Defense, said officials from the Headquarters Army Continuing Education System.

(Editor's note: This article was submitted by the U.S. Total Army Personnel Command Public Affairs Office.)

Filing claim a must after accident

Pam Campbell
Office of the Staff Judge Advocate

Did you receive a mysterious form in the mail from the Fort Bliss Claims Office? When an active duty military member, dependent or retiree becomes involved in an accident of any type (i.e. motor vehicle accident, animal bite, premises liability, product liability, slip and fall or workers' compensation) the Claims Division of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate will mail a Statement of Incident, Fort Bliss Form 1018 (FB 1018) to you. Soldiers and commanders frequently have questions and concerns about the form and its uses. This article attempts to answer those questions and concerns by explaining the exact uses of the form.

The Claims Division bears responsibility for the recovery of monies expended for the medical treatment of military personnel or their dependents from third party insurance companies. The (FB 1018) serves as a means for the Claims Division to gather information regarding new claims and to go about the process of recovering your tax dollars. Federal regulations mandate injured individuals to complete the form and return the same in the envelope provided.

Some of the most common questions received by the Claims Division in regards to this form appear below:

What is the purpose of the FB Form 1018? The form serves two extremely important purposes.

First, it identifies cases the Claims Division may pursue to recoup U.S. government taxpayer's monies. Money recovered from third parties goes directly to the coffers of William Beaumont Army Medical Center and thus saves the soldier and his family from the rising out of pocket cost of medical care. Secondly, it obtains information critical to the recovery process.

For example, in an automobile accident case, the form tells the Claims Division when and where the accident occurred, what vehicles were involved, and what automobile insurance is available. With the information provided, the Claims Division can start the recovery action sooner and reduce the time it takes to recover your tax dollars.

Am I required to complete the FB Form 1018?

Yes. Parties injured as a result of an accident (or his/her legal guardian) must complete the form. Federal regulations require persons receiving treatment at a military treatment facility to provide information concerning how the injury occurred and whether a third-party payer plan covers the injury.

Am I, or will I, be billed for this care?

No. Service members, dependents and retirees receive health care as a benefit of service. If the Claims Office cannot recover from a third-party, the case is closed.

Who or what is a third-party?

There are a number of different types of third parties. Typical examples include auto insurance (for motor vehicle accident), homeowner's insurance (for injuries suffered at another person's home), premises liability insurance (for injuries suffered at a business property like McDonalds, and J.C. Penney), and workmen's compensation insurance (for injuries suffered on the job by dependents and retirees), any insurance that would normally pay for injuries received as a result of the accident/incident.

I am an active duty soldier/ retiree/dependent. I have Tricare insurance paying for my care. Why bill the auto insurance?

Tricare is health insurance just like Blue Cross/Blue Shield, not automobile insurance. Tricare covers your normal health care (i.e. colds, influenza, sprains, etc). By law, insurance companies must pay for the reasonable cost of the care you received as a result of your injuries. Insurance companies collect premiums from consumers wishing to guard against unexpected loss. If insurance companies collected premiums without having to pay medical expenses, the insurance company would get a windfall at the government's, and ultimately, the taxpayer's expense.

I do not have the information regarding the other party or a copy of the police report. Do I still need to complete the FB 1018?

Yes. Provide as much information as you can (i.e., date, and place of the accident, your insurance information, or the information regarding the owner of the vehicle you were in, etc.) in order that claims personnel may attempt to recover from third parties.

Will my insurance premiums increase as a result of this accident or worse yet, could my policy be cancelled because I reported this accident?

We cannot speak for the insurance industry; however, your driving record would prove the deciding factor. Reporting an accident involving injury or property damage is not optional; it is the law.

For information regarding the FB 1018, call Mrs. Campbell or Mr. Loge of the Affirmative Claims section, Office of SJA at 568-5822 or 568-5846.

MPs conduct community survey
Staff Sgt. Scott Ouillette, an MP assigned to 76th MIlitary Police Bn., surveys military spouse James Outcalt about his thoughts on the level of police visibility in his neighborhood. The survey was part of 76th Military Police Battalion's new community-policing program. MPs on patrol use the interview as a survey to receive more feedback from local residents, and to help provide the best service possible. Each patrol canvasses their patrol area and makes contact with three different residents each day. Community members can also fill out a housing survey at the Military Police Station, Bldg 125. For information, contact the MP Desk at 568-2115.