[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 129 (Thursday, July 6, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 35185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16520]



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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Award of the New Fort Bragg/Pope Air Force Base Managed Mental 
Health Services Contract to FHC Options, Inc. (Civilian Health and 
Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS))

agency: Army, Office of The Surgeon General.

action: Notice of award of the Fort Bragg/Pope Air Force Base managed 
mental health program fixed price, at-risk contract.

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summary: The Fleet Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Naval Detachment, 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has awarded to FHC Options, Inc., a 
subsidiary of FHC Health Systems, Norfolk, Virginia, the contract to 
provide managed mental health services to Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force 
Base CHAMPUS eligible beneficiaries in the Fayetteville, North Carolina 
area. The contract duration is one year, the four subsequent one-year 
renewal options. The new contact implementation date is October 1, 
1995.
    Currently, Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base CHAMPUS-eligible 
adults receive mental health services as under the standard CHAMPUS 
benefit and management program. Children and adolescents receive mental 
health services initiated under the Fort Bragg demonstration. The 
demonstration project ended on 18 May 1994; its provisions continue 
under an interim contract scheduled to end September 30, 1995. Under 
the demonstration CHAMPUS-eligible beneficiaries under 18 years of age 
were evaluated through a central intake system and referred to 
providers of the main subcontract or its subcontracted providers. 
Intermediate level services were available in less restrictive 
settings, between inpatient and outpatient services. There were no 
copays, deductibles or cost-shares associated with mental health care 
received under the demonstration.

for further information contact: Mr. Kenneth Bullock, Contract 
Specialist, FISC Detachment, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19112-5082, 
(215) 697-9676 or Captain Kathleen Lavigne, Medical Corps, Contracting 
Officer's Representative, Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, North 
Carolina 28307-5000, (910) 432-2992.

supplementary information: The new contract incorporates the following 
changes from the past contract:

24-Hour, Toll Free Referral Line

    Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base CHAMPUS-eligible beneficiaries 
may obtain access to mental health services by calling the 24-hour, 
toll free CHOICE LINE. The telephone line is staffed by licensed mental 
health clinicians who have access to a computerized program that 
assists in finding the most appropriate mental health provider for the 
beneficiary. Routine appointments will be available within 14 days, 
versus 21 days under the demonstration program.

Resource Center

    In addition, the beneficiaries will be able to walk into a Resource 
Center for referral and appointment setting. This Center, located in 
Fayetteville near Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, will offer face-to-
face assessments, referral services, prevention and wellness seminars 
and information for Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base CHAMPUS eligible 
beneficiaries.

Intermediate and Other Services

    The new contract includes the demonstration intermediate level 
services with case management only for children and adolescents under 
demonstration authority as an exception to the CHAMPUS benefit. This 
level of care provides out of home services in a less restrictive 
environment when compared to inpatient services. In addition, intense 
outpatient crisis intervention will be available to adults, children 
and adolescents and in-home services will be available to adults.

Out-of-Area Care

    Beneficiaries who reside in the Fort Bragg/Pope Air Force Base 
catchment area are covered for mental health care in all other states 
if mental health care becomes necessary while the beneficiary is out of 
the catchment area. Non-Fort Bragg beneficiaries needing mental health 
care in this area will receive referrals, case management and other 
services under this contract, also. The Fort Bragg mental health 
contractor is not at-risk for the non-Fort Bragg beneficiary services.

Emergency Access to Mental Health Services

    In emergency situations, Fort Bragg CHAMPUS-eligible benificiaries 
may call the 24 hour CHOICE LINE or go to an emergency facility. 
Emergency calls to the CHOICE LINE are handled immediately by a 
licensed mental health clinician.

Cost Sharing

    The associated cost sharing schedule for mental health and chemical 
dependency services is identified in the proposed rule notice (pending 
final approval), Vol. 60, Federal Register 7489, February 8, 1995.
Charles G. Stevens,
Colonel, MS, Executive officer.
[FR Doc. 95-16520 Filed 7-5-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M