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 RAUS and its Third Party Administrator, Selman & Company Announces TRICARE/CHAMPVA Supplement Plan Carrier Transition
In December, notification went out to several RAUS members that your TRICARE or CHAMPVA Supplement Insurance Plan was being transitioned to a new underwriting carrier Effective January 1, 2019.
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The new carrier is Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company, who has one of the strongest TRICARE and CHAMPVA product teams in the market and has large client bases in both Affinity and Employer markets, solidifying its strategic commitment to both. Included in that notification was new ID Cards and Certificates of Insurance.
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This change was made to serve you better, and there is nothing required on the insured members part to continue coverage. Your Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Policy works the same as it always has, and there are no changes to rates, benefits, filed language, or forms. All coverage active on December 31 was automatically transitioned without disruption, provided the premium was paid.
| As a reminder, if you use your bank's online bill pay system, please make sure to update your new Policy number to ensure payment is received in a timely manner moving forward.
| Selman & Company is the RAUS Plan Third Party Administrator and The Hartford Insurance Company is the Plan Underwriter.
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 Five Ways USAGov Can Help Your Family Connect in 2019
Between the food and fun this holiday season, you might find time to make some New Year's resolutions. Instead of just resolving to do better at dieting or exercising, consider going beyond the standard resolutions. For 2019, set goals to create an emergency plan, protect your credit, and expand your family knowledge and time together. Here are five suggestions from USAGov for you and your family to explore throughout the year:
1. Enjoy recreational Family Fun - Getting your family outdoors and active is a great way to be together and drop a few pounds. The National Park System offers places to hike, camp, and fish. And it manages historic landmarks to visit. There are places to see in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. You can get an annual park pass and start new family adventures.
2. Learn About America Together - Explore how to fly the American flag, write your elected officials, or research founding documents. You can also learn the meaning of military medals, voting terms, the acronym SCOTUS, and national holidays. You can even find information on the three branches of government and state capitals. Now you're ready to help your child with their homework!
3. Create an Emergency Family Plan - In an emergency or disaster, having a plan can help guide your family through a stressful situation. When making your plan, be sure to include ways to let out of town family know you're safe. Build a family emergency kit and include medical items, important personal documents, and necessities for your pets.
4. Protect Yourself from Scams - With the upcoming tax season, IRS scams will soon be on the rise. Learn about the variety of scams that are going around and how to report them. It can help you protect your wallet, home, elderly parents, and family identification before the scammers get you.
5. Trace Your Roots - It seems everyone is researching their family tree. Now you can travel back in time to discover your background--for free. Start with the archival online databases from the National Archives, Library of Congress, and the U.S. Census Bureau. You can also find a free database from the Ellis Island Foundation and get a guide to tracing Native American ancestry.
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 12 Ways to Have a Healthy Holiday Season
From cdc.gov
Brighten the holidays by making your health and safety a priority. Take steps to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy-and ready to enjoy the holidays.- Wash hands often to help prevent the spread of germs. It's flu season. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds.
- Bundle up to stay dry and warm. Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: light, warm layers, gloves, hats, scarves, and waterproof boots.
- Manage stress. Give yourself a break if you feel stressed out, overwhelmed, and out of control. Some of the best ways to manage stress are to find support, connect socially, and get plenty of sleep.
- Don't drink and drive or let others drink and drive. Whenever anyone drives drunk, they put everyone on the road in danger. Choose not to drink and drive and help others do the same.
- Be smoke-free. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke. Smokers have greater health risks because of their tobacco use, but nonsmokers also are at risk when exposed to tobacco smoke.
- Fasten seat belts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Always buckle your children in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to their height, weight, and age. Buckle up every time, no matter how short the trip and encourage passengers to do the same.
- Get exams and screenings. Ask your health care provider what exams you need and when to get them. Update your personal and family history.
- Get your vaccinations. Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year.
- Monitor children. Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, household items, and other objects out of children's reach. Protect them from drowning, burns, falls, and other potential accidents.
- Practice fire safety. Most residential fires occur during the winter months, so don't leave fireplaces, space heaters, food cooking on stoves, or candles unattended. Have an emergency plan and practice it regularly.
- Prepare food safely. Remember these simple steps: Wash hands and surfaces often, avoid cross-contamination, cook foods to proper temperatures and refrigerate foods promptly.
- Eat healthy, stay active. Eat fruits and vegetables which pack nutrients and help lower the risk for certain diseases. Limit your portion sizes and foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. Also, be active for at least 2½ hours a week and help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day.
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Renew Memberships Online
At the request of our members, RAUS is pleased to provide the ability to renew their membership online and pay by credit or debit card. Just go to our website at www.raushome.com and click on the Online Dues Renewal button.
If you are considering converting to a Lifetime Membership, click on the Membership button and select Life Membership.
 
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 Keep Us Accurate
To be sure your benefits are properly recorded, please advise the association when you change your name or address. If you receive inaccurate membership cards or other correspondence, we want to know. We do not mind reissuing membership cards. |
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 Credit Freeze FAQs
From comsumer.ftc.gov
If you're concerned about identity theft, data breaches, or someone gaining access to your credit report without your permission, you might consider placing a credit freeze on your report.
What is a credit freeze?
Also known as a security freeze, this free tool lets you restrict access to your credit report, which in turn makes it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. That's because most creditors need to see your credit report before they approve a new account. If they can't see your report, they may not extend the credit.
Does a credit freeze affect my credit score?
No. A credit freeze does not affect your credit score.
A credit freeze also does not:
- prevent you from getting your free annual credit reportkeep you from opening a new account, applying for a job, renting an apartment, or buying insurance. But if you're doing any of these, you'll need to lift the freeze temporarily, either for a specific time or for a specific party, say, a potential landlord or employer. It's free to lift the freeze and free to place it again when you're done accessing your credit.
- prevent a thief from making charges to your existing accounts. You still need to monitor all bank, credit card and insurance statements for fraudulent transactions.
Does a credit freeze stop prescreened credit offers?
No. If you want to stop getting prescreened offers of credit, call 888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688) or go online. The phone number and website are operated by the nationwide credit bureaus. You can opt out for five years or permanently. However, some companies send offers that are not based on prescreening, and your federal opt-out right will not stop those kinds of solicitations.
As you consider opting out, you should know that prescreened offers can provide many benefits, especially if you are in the market for a credit card or insurance. Prescreened offers can help you learn about what's available, compare costs, and find the best product for your needs. Because you are pre-selected to receive the offer, you can be turned down only under limited circumstances. The terms of prescreened offers also may be more favorable than those that are available to the general public. In fact, some credit card or insurance products may be available only through prescreened offers.
Can anyone see my credit report if it is frozen?
Certain entities still will have access to it.
- your report can be released to your existing creditors or to debt collectors acting on their behalf.
- government agencies may have access in response to a court or administrative order, a subpoena, or a search warrant.
How do I place a freeze on my credit reports?
Contact each of the nationwide credit bureaus:
You'll need to supply your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number and other personal information.
After receiving your freeze request, each credit bureau will provide you with a unique PIN (personal identification number) or password. Keep the PIN or password in a safe place. You will need it if you choose to lift the freeze.
How do I lift a freeze?
A freeze remains in place until you ask the credit bureau to temporarily lift it or remove it altogether. If the request is made online or by phone, a credit bureau must lift a freeze within one hour. If the request is made by mail, then the bureau must lift the freeze no later than three business days after getting your request.
If you opt for a temporary lift because you are applying for credit or a job, and you can find out which credit bureau the business will contact for your file, you can save some time by lifting the freeze only at that particular credit bureau. Otherwise, you need to make the request with all three credit bureaus.
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Membership Dues
| AGE RANGE | LIFE DUES | | 40 or less | $325 | | 41 to 45 | $300 | | 46 to 50 | $275 | | 51 to 55 | $250 | | 56 to 60 | $225 | | 61 to 65 | $200 | | 66 to 70 | $175 | | 70 and up | $100 |
 Annual dues are $15 per year. Discounts apply for multiple year memberships: 3 years for $37 and 5 years for $60. Like memberships are available based on the age of the member at the time of the Life conversion. A Life Membership is exempt of dues increase and covers both the member and the spouse. |
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About RAUS
We are a non-political military association organized in 1970 to secure quality benefits for our members at rates only available to groups. Qualified retired and active members of the United States armed forces and related departments may join.
Membership benefits include discounts and perks, self-help and financial calculators, time-savings and educational resources, along with TRICARE Supplement, CHAMPVA Supplement and other insurance products.
RAUS is partnering with other organizations to establish a long term win-win relationship based on mutual benefits and information available to military families.
RAUS Eligible Defense Departments
* AIR FORCE * ARMY * MARINES * NAVY * NATIONAL GUARD *
* COAST GUARD * NOAA * CIVIL AIR PATROL *
* PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE * COASTAL & GEODETIC SURVEY *
* ACTIVE & RETIRED * OFFICERS & ENLISTED *
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Sincerely,
DONALD T. RUCK, President Retired Association for the Uniformed Services, Inc. |
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