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Skandiaavity posted:I'm intrigued. I've worked helpdesk for ~three years in an older job, so go on... Why ruin the moment?  At the end of the day, it's a government job with some really interesting/challenging working environments not found in most other government jobs (particularly IT).
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Mar 12, 2012 13:14
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See, this is the answer I approve of. Thats why I look forward to it & the challenges one can possibly face.
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Mar 12, 2012 14:48
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Skandiaavity posted:Ah, OK. How does the insurance work out on that? Is there a flat fee for non-complication birth or? I'm sure it varies, especially by country? You can e-mail me if you'd like, but I'm just overall curious. Ok this is how it works. You have US medical insurance, we use foreign service benefits plan (Coventry). You get billed directly for any issue and submit the bills to your insurance company and while you pay out of pocket, you get reimbursed quickly. The big difference is if you are admitted for more than 24 hours. A fund cite is generated and you give your medical bills to HR who then pays the bills directly and your insurance checks are given to them for reimbursement. It actually works out better because they cover copays when this occurs. It really is easy though and if you have specific questions I've been through this 3 times now (not kids, just extended medical stays) with state.
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Mar 13, 2012 09:08
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Uh, go on about that - that's actually quite a new system. Making sure I'm getting you right: So basically, there's a two-tier (Healthcare Provider and Coventry) system? if she has a kid, it's logical to assume she'll be in the hospital for more than 24 hours. (Or if she's sick or whatever may come up). In that case, I inform H.R. and they generate a fund cite / take care of everything/deal with all the medical bills directly? For any E.R. or regular visit to see a doc, I have to pay the full costs myself then submit that for reimbursement? (but the reimbursement is quick)
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Mar 13, 2012 14:42
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Skandiaavity posted:Uh, go on about that - that's actually quite a new system. Making sure I'm getting you right: No, it's Med that deals with that. If you are hospitalized overseas for more than 24 hours, they'll (MED) provide the fundcite to cover your or your EFM's stay. You will then be given the bills of the hospital stay. You submit them to your insurance plan. You then sign over any money that the insurance plan covers back to the U.S.G. to recoup the money that they advanced for you. I think the only thing that you might be responsible for is your deductable if applicable. If you are doing out patient, or otherwise not in the hospital for over 24 hours, you are responsible (usually) for costs up front to be paid to the provider/doctor/hospital/clinic and have to submit the claims to your insurance plan. Some insurance plans are better when overseas than others... Edit: If you have your kid back home in the States, then it's whatever your insurance plan covers (I think). It will still count as a medevac, so the airfare for the mom is covered (but not fathers or non pregnant spouse) and there is some per diem involved as well. TCD fucked around with this message at 16:39 on Mar 13, 2012 |
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Mar 13, 2012 16:33
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TCD posted:No, it's Med that deals with that. Since I'm currently on medevac, I can throw in my two cents. I'm currently assigned to Rome, if that makes any difference. While in-country, I was responsible for paying all outpatient services up front. I then submitted the claim via fax with all the necessary receipts and I was reimbursed from BCBS within a week or two. I think the delay is a result of them needing to translate the Italian. When overnight stays were required, the Health Unit handled all the bills and dealt with my insurance claims. Any copays or deductibles I paid directly to the Embassy cashier. I usually got a bill from them after a month or two. It was really quite (har!) painless.
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Mar 13, 2012 18:21
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Does your CLO have a list of tour guides for the Vatican? Because we'll be in Rome later this year -- hook a brother up.
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Mar 13, 2012 18:40
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Diplomaticus posted:Does your CLO have a list of tour guides for the Vatican? Because we'll be in Rome later this year -- hook a brother up. Since I'm still stuck in limbo here in the US, I don't have access to that info. That said, check the Rome intranet for the Veneto Views newsletter. The CLO is pretty good about listing that stuff. If you can't find what you're looking for, I'll try to hook you up once I return to post in a couple weeks. And hey, shoot me a message when you've got your plans nailed down. I'd love to meet up and take you out for some grub.
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Mar 13, 2012 20:18
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We'll see if we can make it happen -- we're only going to be in town for a day (med cruise stopping in Rome/Civitavecchia) so maybe a lunch might be doable. Also totally didn't realize I can browse other posts intranets. I'll just do that.
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Mar 13, 2012 21:00
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Diplomaticus posted:
haha... insert officer joke here.
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Mar 13, 2012 21:22
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True story -- from an -01: "can you put pictures in an email?"
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Mar 13, 2012 21:44
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Ah, that clears it up. Thanks! A little different from dealing with typical health insurance but otherwise less of a hassle. Can't wait.
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Mar 13, 2012 22:18
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Skandiaavity posted:Ah, that clears it up. Thanks! A little different from dealing with typical health insurance but otherwise less of a hassle. Eh, not one you get a TPS report type email from 5 different people asking for re-payment of 9,000 or they'll be looking at your wages. I'm just saying, don't romanticize the job, or the perks. Keep expectations low and you'll do a lot better than some people who had/have high expectations only to be let down.
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Mar 13, 2012 22:48
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That's what I do... Go in, expect nothing. Learn everything as I go. Makes you appreciate things more! HelpDesk taught me that, because no matter how low or how high you can set the bar, there's always something else.
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Mar 14, 2012 03:05
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Oh god, my first time using e2 travel...
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Mar 14, 2012 16:25
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It's really not all that bad if you go into with all the stuff you need. The new version is a huge improvement.
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Mar 14, 2012 17:21
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Diplomaticus posted:We'll see if we can make it happen -- we're only going to be in town for a day (med cruise stopping in Rome/Civitavecchia) so maybe a lunch might be doable. Ah, Civitavecchia. That's like an hour and a half away with traffic. I'd say lunch is doable for you. Just don't get pickpocketed on the way, okay? 
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Mar 14, 2012 18:24
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Zoots posted:Just don't get pickpocketed on the way, okay? but, but, all those juicy
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Mar 14, 2012 18:33
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Were any of you guys bidding this time around? Looks like the winter cycle assignments have just started coming out and the "mom blogs" are awash with both delight and despair.
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Mar 14, 2012 21:13
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Not on Winter, but I'm bidding upcoming Summer cycle.
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Mar 14, 2012 21:21
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Zoots posted:"mom blogs" are awash with both delight and despair. This sounds entertaining and informative, could you link to a recent one? Also, I watched a National Geographic program on the US Foreign Service on Netflix last week, have any of you seen it? What's your take on it?
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Mar 14, 2012 21:25
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Jedi Knight Luigi posted:This sounds entertaining and informative, could you link to a recent one?
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Mar 14, 2012 21:40
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http://www.state.gov/m/ds/quote:The Special Agent application period is expected to open on March 16th and close on March 30th. Please check back periodically for updates. little heads up for anyone interested.
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Mar 14, 2012 22:22
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Out of curiosity, anybody know how big Embassy Prague is? How many FSOs there?
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Mar 15, 2012 01:19
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Jedi Knight Luigi posted:Also, I watched a National Geographic program on the US Foreign Service on Netflix last week, have any of you seen it? What's your take on it? Is that the one about ambassadors? I thought it was pretty good, but kind of missed the point by focusing on the ambassadors instead of the rest of the mission (where the work gets done).
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Mar 15, 2012 01:26
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Business of Ferrets posted:Is that the one about ambassadors? I thought it was pretty good, but kind of missed the point by focusing on the ambassadors instead of the rest of the mission (where the work gets done). Yeah, they mostly focused on this really old man with a southern accent who was ambassador to Japan, as well as a lady who was assigned to Pakistan right before 9/11. Other than that there was maybe 30 seconds of a guy talking about stamping passports all day.
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Mar 15, 2012 03:14
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Just had an OMS ask me to install a classnet printer to her opennet terminal. Morning folks!
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Mar 15, 2012 10:19
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Vilerat posted:Just had an OMS ask me to install a classnet printer to her opennet terminal. How many times did you have to tell her no?
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Mar 15, 2012 12:34
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Jedi Knight Luigi posted:Yeah, they mostly focused on this really old man with a southern accent who was ambassador to Japan, as well as a lady who was assigned to Pakistan right before 9/11. Other than that there was maybe 30 seconds of a guy talking about stamping passports all day. There was also a more recent special featuring the Secretary and the Ops Center. It did a pretty good job of showing what goes into making these visits happen - and it was hilariously awesome seeing past coworkers on screen. I may or may not have ribbed a few after seeing it.
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Mar 15, 2012 12:37
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I watched the Ops Center one that was cool. In other news, one of my friends just passed her FSOA in Econ. See folks, it CAN be done.
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Mar 15, 2012 13:27
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Aha, another thread Homie S has not defiled yet by beating me to the punch.quote:UNCLASSIFIED STATE 00025237
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Mar 15, 2012 14:19
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Diplomaticus posted:I watched the Ops Center one that was cool.
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Mar 15, 2012 15:13
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Diplomaticus posted:Aha, another thread Homie S has not defiled yet by beating me to the punch. Up 8 posts friend!
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Mar 15, 2012 15:42
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nadocollin posted:Out of curiosity, anybody know how big Embassy Prague is? How many FSOs there? I don't think you're going to see anybody get into details of staffing at a particular post here on the internet.
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Mar 15, 2012 16:46
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Diplomaticus posted:Aha, another thread Homie S has not defiled yet by beating me to the punch. It's cool bro  
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Mar 16, 2012 00:14
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Well, today ended fairly bad. But, I guess I'll have to console myself with the fact that I'll be in Bangkok in less the 48hrs.  Looking forward to seeing the sun & some blue skies again.
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Mar 16, 2012 14:15
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Whats up foreign service folks! I have some questions about applying to be an FSO, preferably the Political track. I am currently active duty military, enlisted. Since I have been in, I managed to finish my B.S. in Poli Sci from my old school (with a less than stellar g.p.a.) and am working on my M.S. from an online college for military types. It seems pretty tought to get into the foreign service right now, from what I've seen in this thread. My question is: just how much does military experience count?
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Mar 16, 2012 15:23
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Beria posted:Whats up foreign service folks! If you pass the Orals, they add your veteran's points to your score and that will boost your spot on the register. In terms of how your military experience will look to the BEX - that's up to you. Anecdotally speaking, there were several people who were former military in my A-100, not to mention a couple reservists who had to log their time prior to departing to post. You should be able to demonstrate how your skills and background fit into each of the 13 dimensions, not to mention however you choose to answer your personal narrative questions on the application. In other words,  IT DEPENDS.
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Mar 16, 2012 16:42
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Beria posted:Whats up foreign service folks! I was former enlisted Army infantry, got my B.S. in PoliSci as well. Military experience is worth both bonus points on your score for having 5 or 10 point preference (0.175 for 5 point, I don't know what 10 point is worth off top of my head), and it gives you something to put in your personal narratives.
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Mar 16, 2012 18:16
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Have any of you in State worked with military attaché? What is that like, seen from the outside?
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Mar 19, 2012 06:45
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