[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 80903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33064]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Extension of Autism Services Demonstration Project for TRICARE 
Beneficiaries Under the Extended Care Health Option

AGENCY: Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice of demonstration.

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SUMMARY: This notice provides a 2-year extension of the Department of 
Defense Enhanced Access to Autism Services Demonstration Project under 
the Extended Care Health Option for beneficiaries diagnosed with an 
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Under the demonstration, the Department 
implemented a provider model that allows reimbursement for Intensive 
Behavioral Interventions (IBI) services, in particular, Applied 
Behavior Analysis, rendered by providers who are not otherwise eligible 
for reimbursement.

DATES: The demonstration will continue through March 14, 2014.

ADDRESSES: TRICARE Management Activity (TMA), Health Plan Operations, 
5111 Leesburg Pike, Suite 810, Falls Church, VA 22041.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions pertaining to this 
demonstration project, please contact Mr. Richard Hart at (703) 681-
0047.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 4, 2007, the Department of 
Defense published a Notice in the Federal Register (FR) (72 FR 68130) 
of a TRICARE demonstration to increase access to IBI services. The 
purpose of the demonstration is to allow the Department to determine 
whether such a provider model increases access to services, the 
services are reaching those most likely to benefit from them, the 
quality of the services rendered meets the standard of care currently 
accepted by the community of providers, and whether State requirements 
for licensure or certification of providers of IBI services, where such 
exists, are being met.
    The effective date was 60 days following publication of the Notice, 
and the demonstration was implemented on March 15, 2008 for a period of 
2 years.
    Recognizing that the subject of ASDs is complex, in particular, 
with respect to the number of individuals diagnosed with ASD, the 
treatment of ASD that generally includes several years of behavior 
modification through educational services, and the ability of the 
provider community to increase the number of qualified providers, the 
Department published a Notice in the Federal Register (FR) (75 FR 8928) 
on February 26, 2010 that extended the Demonstration through March 14, 
2012. The Department has determined that continuation of the 
demonstration for an additional 2 years is both in the best interest of 
TRICARE beneficiaries diagnosed with an ASD, and necessary to fully 
evaluate the effectiveness of the delivery model employed by the 
demonstration. This will provide the Secretary with sufficient 
information to make a formal decision regarding the use of that 
delivery model. The demonstration continues to be authorized by Title 
10, United States Code, Section 1092.

    Dated: December 21, 2011.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2011-33064 Filed 12-23-11; 8:45 am]
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