[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 190 (Friday, October 1, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 58895]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22167]


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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). On Wednesday, November 12, 2003, the DoD published a 
notice (68 FR 64087) to extend through October 31, 2004, the 
demonstration project scheduled to end on November 1, 2003. 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 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 previously scheduled to end on October 31, 2004, is now 
extended through October 31, 2005.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The continued deployment of about 160,000 
troops in support of Noble Eagle/Operation Enduring Freedom and 
Operation Iraqi Freedom in FY 2004 and FY 2005 warrants the 
continuation of the demonstration to support the health care 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 family members in $150 
per individual, $300 per family ($50/$150 for E4s and below). The 
second component extends TRICARE payments up to 115 percent of the 
TRICARE maximum allowable charge, less the applicable patient 
copayment, 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. 
The third component is waiver of the non-availability statement 
requirement for non-emergency inpatient care. 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: September 28, 2004.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 04-22167 Filed 9-30-04; 8:45 am]
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