[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 161 (Monday, August 21, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 43436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20569]



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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services 
(CHAMPUS) Demonstration Project in Europe

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of a CHAMPUS demonstration project to be implemented in 
Europe.

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SUMMARY: On September 2, 1994, 59 FR 45668, DoD published a Notice of a 
CHAMPUS demonstration project to be implemented in Europe. This notice 
is to exercise the first of two option years for the CHAMPUS 
Demonstration Project in Europe.
    While the U.S. Military European Health Care Delivery System has 
gone through many changes and adjustments over the past eighteen 
months, made necessary in great part due to the military force 
reductions in Europe, the Department has noted significant improvement 
in health care delivery services for its beneficiaries since the 
initiation of the demonstration project. Service members and their 
families, particularly those in remote areas, have experienced improved 
access to health care service. Billing practices, once a source of 
major dissatisfaction among local providers, have been streamlined, 
resulting in far fewer payment delays.
    A firm foundation has now been established for European-wide 
TRICARE Preferred Provider Network, and many host nation health care 
providers, of all specialties, throughout Europe, are interested in 
participating. While great strides have been made, the formalization 
and stabilization of the network remains to be accomplished. As 
earliest attention has been focused primarily on remote or underserved 
areas which have experienced significant reduction or elimination of 
military medical services, the progress which has been made to date is 
most encouraging. Although demonstration participation is limited to 
family members of active duty beneficiaries, the achievement of a sound 
network of providers will benefit immensely all of our beneficiaries in 
Europe. It is our intent to continue the great strides which have been 
made thus far as a result of this demonstration project and to build, 
during the next year, on the progress which has been made during the 
last.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 1995.

POINT OF CONTACT: Carol Ortega, Senior Health Policy Analyst, 
OASD(HA)(HSF Policy), (703) 697-8975.

    Dated: August 15, 1995.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 95-20569 Filed 8-18-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5000-04-M