[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 227 (Wednesday, November 25, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 65179]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31420]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


TRICARE; the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed 
Services (CHAMPUS); Specialized Treatment Services (STS) Program

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DoD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice is to advise interested parties that Keesler 
Medical Center, Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi, has been 
designated a regional Specialized Treatment Services Facility (STSF) 
for TRICARE Region Four. The application for this STSF designation was 
submitted by the Lead Agent for TRICARE Region Four and approved by the 
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs). The Lead Agent will 
ensure that the STSF maintains the quality and standards required for 
specialized treatment services. This designation covers the following 
Diagnostic Related Groups:

001--Craniotomy, Age Greater than 17, Except for Trauma
003--Craniotomy, Age, 0-17
004--Spinal Procedures
049--Major Head and Neck Procedures
191--Pancreas, Liver and Shunt Procedures with CC
209--Major Joint and Limb Reattachment Procedures of Lower Extremity
286--Adrenal and Pituitary Procedures
357--Uterine and Adnexa Procedures for Ovarian or Adnexal Malignancy
491--Major joint and Limb Reattachment Procedures of Upper Extremity

    Keesler Medical Center continues to be an STS facility for Cardiac 
Surgery (DRG 104, DRG 105, DRG 106, DRG 107, DRG 108, DRG 110, DRG 111, 
DRG 112, DRG 124, DRG 125); Complicated Obstetrics (DRG 370, DRG 372, 
DRG 383); and Neonatal care (DRG 604, DRG 607, DRG 611, DRG 612, DRG 
613, DRG 617, DRG 618, DRG 622, DRG 626, DRG 636).
    Travel and lodging for the patient and, if stated to be medically 
necessary by a referring physician, for one nonmedical attendant, will 
be reimbursed by Keesler Medical Center in accordance with the 
provisions of the Joint Federal Travel Regulation. DoD beneficiaries 
who reside in the Regional STS Catchment Area for TRICARE Region Four 
must be evaluated by Keesler Medical Center before receiving TRICARE/
CHAMPUS cost sharing for procedures that fall under the above Diagnosis 
Related Groups. Evaluation in person in preferred, and travel and 
lodging expenses for the evaluation will be reimbursed as stated above. 
It is possible to conduct the evaluation telephonically if the patient 
is unable to travel to Keesler Medical Center. If the procedure cannot 
be performed at Keesler Medical Center, the facility will provide a 
medical necessity review prior to issuance of a Nonavailability 
Statement.
    The Regional STS Catchment Area covering TRICARE Region four is 
defined by zip codes in the Defense Medical Information System STS 
Facilities Catchment Area Directory. The Catchment Area includes zip 
codes within TRICARE Region Four that fall within a 200 mile radius of 
Keesler Medical Center.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 1, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Captain David Johnson, Keesler Medical Center, (228) 377-7685; or 
Colonel Joe Taylor, Office of the Lead Agent, TRICARE Region Four, 
(228) 377-9643; or Lieutenant Colonel Teresa Sommese, TRICARE 
Management Activity, (703) 681-3628, extension 5029; or Mr. Tariq 
Shahid, TRICARE Management Activity, (303) 676-3801.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In FR DOC 93-27050, appearing in the Federal 
Register on November 5, 1993 (Vol. 58, FR 58955-58964), the final rule 
on the STS Program was published. Included in the final rule was a 
provision that a notice of all military and civilian STS facilities be 
published in the Federal Register annually. This notice is issued under 
the authority of 10 U.S.C. 1105 and 32 CFR 199.4(a)(10).

    Dated: November 19, 1998.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 98-31420 Filed 11-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5000-04-M