[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 218 (Wednesday, November 12, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 64087]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-28250]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Nationwide TRICARE Demonstration Project

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs/TRICARE 
Management Activity, DoD.

ACTION: Notice extending deadline for demonstration project.

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SUMMARY: On Monday, November 5, 2001, the Department of Defense (DoD) 
published a notice of a nationwide TRICARE demonstration project (66 FR 
55928-55930). This notice is to advise interested parties of the 
continuation of the demonstration project in which the DoD Military 
Health System addresses unreasonable impediments to the continuity of 
healthcare encountered by certain family members of Reservists and 
National Guardsmen called to active duty in support of a federal/
contingency operation. The demonstration previously scheduled to end on 
November 1, 2003, is now extended through October 31, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Office of the Assistance Secretary of 
Defense for Health Affairs, TRICARE Management Activity, Communications 
and Customer Service Directorate at (703) 681-1774.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The continued deployment of over 160,000 
troops in support of Noble Eagle/Operation Enduring Freedom and 
Operation Iraqi Freedom in FY 2003 and FY 2004 warrants the 
continuation of the demonstration to support the healthcare needs and 
morale of family members of activated reservists and guardsmen. The 
impact if the demonstration is not extended includes higher out-of-
pocket costs and potential inability to continue to use the same 
provider for ongoing care. There are three separate components to the 
demonstration. First, those who participate in TRICARE Standard will 
not be responsible for paying the TRICARE Standard deductible. By law, 
the TRICARE Standard deductible for active duty dependents in $150 per 
individual, $300 per family ($50/$150 for E-4's and below). Second, 
TRICARE payments up to 115 percent of the TRICARE maximum allowable 
charge, less the applicable patient co-payment, for care received from 
a provider that does not participate (accept assignment) under TRICARE 
to the extent necessary to ensure timely access to care and clinically 
appropriate continuity of care. Third, waiver of the non-availability 
statement requirement for non-emergency inpatient care. At the end of 
this Project, DoD will conduct an analysis of the benefits and costs of 
providing healthcare services to certain Service members and their 
families when called to active duty during a contingently operation. 
Information and experience gained as part of this demonstration project 
will provide the foundation for longer-term solutions in the event of 
future national emergencies. This demonstration project is being 
conducted under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 1092.

    Dated: October 29, 2003.
Patricia L. Toppings,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 03-28250 Filed 11-10-03; 8:45 am]
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