RAO Subic Office will be closed on the following Philippine and/or U.S. Holidays below:

• November 01, 2026 (Sunday) - All Saints Day
• November 02, 2026 (Monday) - All Souls Day
• November 11, 2026 (Wednesday) - Veterans Day
• November 26, 2026 (Thursday) - Thanksgiving Day
• November 30, 2026 (Monday) - Bonifacio Day

• December 08, 2026 (Tuesday) - Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion
• December 24, 2026 (Friday)- Christmas Eve
• December 25, 2026 (Saturday)- Christmas Day
• December 26, 2026 (Sunday)- After Christmas Day
• December 30, 2026 (Wednesday) - Rizal Day
• December 31, 2026 (Thursday) - New Year's Eve

Sharing some good news on the horizon for the FMP program. Starting November 2nd, we will be launching a controlled go live for direct deposit for those Veterans with international banking accounts. By November 16th we plan on a full go live. From there a validation period for full launch functionality will take place between Nov. 16th-24th. If all goes as expected, any FMP claim processed after November 25th, 2026, that has a Veteran requesting reimbursement to an international banking that is not in the top 30 countries will be paid via paper check until additional country payment capabilities are built and tested. Note: The top 30 countries who send in claims to us makes up about 97% of all FMP claim volume, so this pretty much covers nearly every country that submits claims to us. One caveat: Any Veteran who currently receives their monthly VBA disability stipend payments to an international bank must access the following link and provide us their current international banking information so the FMP office can fully enroll them in our newly established International Direct Deposit (IDD) repository

Click here to read more.

Will be having Beach Bash at Wild Orchid this Feb 5-7 , 2027. Attached are details about the resort. New management has made great improvements. When you book a room inform the staff that you are a member of the VFW. Offering 30% discount.

Date/Time: November 5, 2026 (Thursday)

• 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM (Manila)
• 10:00 AM (Palau)
• 12:00 PM (Micronesia)
• 1:00 PM (Marshall Islands)

• Meeting number: 2825 666 1073
• Password: Riius5GZ@82

Turning 65? What you need to know about Medicare and TRICARE For Life
Turning 65 brings important changes to your healthcare coverage. If you’re eligible for TRICARE when approaching your 65th birthday, you may wonder what steps to take next. Be sure to read the notice that’s sent to you five months before your 65th birthday. Remember, you don’t need to wait for TRICARE Open Season to enroll in TRICARE For Life. Coverage is automatic once you meet eligibility requirements.

Understanding TRICARE For Life TRICARE For Life provides Medicare-wraparound coverage. Retirees and their eligible family members automatically get TFL coverage on the date their Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B is effective. At age 65, if you’re eligible for Medicare Part A, you must have both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B to keep your TRICARE coverage, as described in the TRICARE and Medicare Turning Age 65 Brochure. TFL has no enrollment forms or enrollment fees. Medicare is your primary payer. Providers file claims with Medicare. Once Medicare processes and pays their portion of the claim, it’s automatically forwarded to the TFL contractor for processing and payment of TRICARE’s portion of the claim. TRICARE pays your remaining financial responsibility when the care you receive is covered by Medicare and TRICARE. If you have other health insurance, TRICARE becomes the last payer. Medicare is either first or second payer. For additional information on how Medicare coordinates benefits with your other health insurance, visit Medicare. When Medicare is your primary coverage, you must get healthcare services from Medicare-participating or Medicare non-participating providers. Medicare non-participating providers may be paid 15% above the Medicare-allowable amount. TRICARE pays this additional amount, so there’s no difference in cost to you. Medicare doesn’t require a referral to see specialists.Remember that eligibility for TFL depends on your eligibility for Medicare. When you turn 65 and move to TFL, your family members remain eligible for TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select. Medicare Parts A, B, and D , Medicare Part A covers hospital services. Medicare Part B pays for outpatient care.

Part D provides prescription drug coverage. Note: Beginning July 1, 2026, Medicare Part D covers certain weight loss drugs under the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program. If you don’t currently have Part D, go to Medicare to learn when you can choose to enroll. when to enroll : Enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B at least two months before the month you turn 65 to avoid a break in your TRICARE coverage.

You can sign up for Medicare online. You can also call the Social Security Administration to schedule an appointment.

Some of our members are running into problems getting meds now that VA is closed down. A member has forwarded the below info regarding a Dr friend of his who is interested in helping our vets. The member has known him for years and vouches for him enthusiastically!

The RAO does not know him and can't endorse but if you need help give him a try and see.

DANIEL SALVADOR L. REDOÑA, MD

Ophthalmologist-Natural Medicine

09281952272

Clinic Address: JH ORIENTAL MEDICAL CLINIC Blk 48 Lot 10 Friendship Highway Bgy Cutcut, Angeles City 2009 Pampanga

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 PsychoArmor Institute.

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.