[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 117 (Tuesday, June 19, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33742-33743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2999]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Nationwide TRICARE Demonstration Project

AGENCY: Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice extending deadline for demonstration project.

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SUMMARY: The Demonstration is also referred to as the Operation Noble 
Eagle/Enduring Freedom Reservist and National Guard Benefits 
Demonstration. This notice is to advise interested parties of the 
continuation of the Demonstration 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 scheduled to end on October 
31, 2007, is now extended through October 31, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of the Assistant Secretary of 
Defense for Health Affairs, TRICARE Management Activity, TRICARE 
Operations Directorate at (703) 681-0039.

[[Page 33743]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 5, 2001, the Department of 
Defense (DoD) published a notice of a Nationwide TRICARE Demonstration 
Project (66 FR 55928-55930). On October 1, 2004, the Department of 
Defense (DoD) published a notice (69 FR 58895) to extend the 
Demonstration through October 31, 2005. On October 12, 2005, the 
Department of Defense (DoD) published a notice (70 FR 59320) to extend 
the Demonstration through October 31, 2007. The continued activation of 
Reserve Component members in support of Noble Eagle/Operation Enduring 
Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom warrants the continuation of the 
Demonstration to support the healthcare needs and morale of family 
members of activated Reservists and guardsmen. The National Defense 
Authorization Act of 2005 amended existing statutes to authorize the 
Secretary of Defense to provide these benefits permanently by 
regulation. The Demonstration needs to be extended to allow sufficient 
time to complete the rule-making process. The impact, if the 
Demonstration is not extended before the regulation is completed, 
includes higher out-of-pocket costs and potential inability of 
beneficiaries 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 is $150 per individual, $300 per 
family ($50/$150 for E-4's and below).
    The second component extends TRICARE payment 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, the Demonstration authorizes a waiver of the non-
availability statement requirement of non-emergency impatient care. 
This Demonstration project is being conducted under the authority of 10 
U.S.C. 1092. This Demonstration is extended through October 31, 2008.

    Dated: June 20, 2007.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 07-2999 Filed 6-18-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-M