[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 76 (Friday, April 18, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 21120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8385]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Nationwide TRICARE Demonstration Project

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs)/TRICARE 
Management Activity, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice Extending Deadline for Demonstration Project.

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SUMMARY: 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, DoD published a notice (69 FR 58895) to 
extend the demonstration through October 31, 2005. On October 12, 2005, 
DoD published a notice (70 FR 59320) to extend the demonstration 
through October 31, 2007. On June 19, 2007, the Department published a 
notice (72 FR 33742) to extend the demonstration through October 31, 
2008. On August 22, 2006, the Department published a proposed rule to 
implement sections 704 and 705 of the Ronald Reagan National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005, and is in the process of 
promulgating the final rule.
    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 health care 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, 2008, is now extended 
through October 31, 2009.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 health care 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 and $300 
per family ($50/$150 for E-4's and below).
    The second component extends 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, the demonstration authorizes a waiver of the non-
availability statement requirement of nonemergency inpatient care. This 
demonstration project is being conducted under the authority of 10 
U.S.C. 1092. This demonstration is extended through October 31, 2009.

    Dated: April 14, 2008.
Patricia L. Toppings,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
 [FR Doc. E8-8385 Filed 4-17-08; 8:45 am]
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