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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78698-78703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30282]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

32 CFR Part 199

[DoD-2010-HA-0068]
RIN 0720-AB39

Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services 
(CHAMPUS); TRICARE Retired Reserve

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) is a premium-based TRICARE 
health plan available for purchase worldwide by qualified members of 
the Retired Reserve and by qualified survivors of TRR members. This 
final rule responds to public comments received to an interim final 
rule that was published in the Federal Register on August 6, 2010 (75 
FR 47452-47457). That rule established requirements and procedures to 
implement the TRR program in fulfillment of section 705 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (NDAA-10) (Pub. L. 111-
84). This final rule also revises requirements and procedures as 
indicated.

DATES: This rule is effective January 30, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jody Donehoo, Defense Health Agency, 
TRICARE Health Plan, telephone (703) 681-0039. Questions regarding 
payment of specific claims under the TRICARE allowable charge method 
should be addressed to the appropriate TRICARE contractor.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction and Background

A. Overview

    An interim final rule was published in the Federal Register on 
August 6, 2010 (75 FR 47452-47457), that established requirements and 
procedures to implement the TRICARE Retired Reserve program in 
fulfillment of section 705 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2010 (NDAA-10) (Pub. L. 111-84). Section 705 added new 
section 1076e to Title 10, United States Code. Section 1076e allows 
members of the Retired Reserve who are qualified for non-regular 
retirement, but are not yet 60 years of age, as well as certain 
survivors to qualify to purchase medical coverage equivalent to the 
TRICARE Standard (and Extra) benefit unless that member is either 
enrolled in, or eligible to enroll in, a health benefits plan under 
Chapter 89 of Title 5, United States Code.

B. Public Comments

    The interim final rule was published in the Federal Register on 
August 6, 2010. We received 92 online comments. We thank those who 
provided comments. Specific matters raised by those who submitted 
comments are summarized below.

II. Provisions of the Rule Regarding the TRICARE Retired Reserve 
Program

A. Establishment of the TRICARE Retired Reserve Program (Sec.  
199.25(a))

    1. Provisions of Interim Final Rule. This paragraph describes the 
nature, purpose, statutory basis, scope, and major features of TRICARE 
Retired Reserve, a premium-based medical coverage program that was made 
available for purchase worldwide by certain members of the Retired 
Reserve, their family members and their surviving family members. 
TRICARE Retired Reserve is authorized by 10 U.S.C. 1076e.
    The major features of the program include making coverage available 
for purchase by any Retired Reserve member who is qualified for non-
regular retirement, but is not yet 60 years of age, unless that member 
is either enrolled in, or eligible to enroll in, a health benefit plan 
under Chapter 89 of Title 5, United States Code, as well as certain 
survivors of Retired Reserve members as specified below. The amount of 
the premium that qualified members and qualified survivors pay is 
prescribed by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs 
(ASD(HA)) and determined using an appropriate actuarial basis. There is 
one premium for member-only coverage and a second premium for member 
and family coverage. Additionally, TRICARE rules outlined in Part 199 
of Title 32 of the CFR relating to the TRICARE Standard and Extra 
programs apply unless otherwise specified.
    Under TRICARE Retired Reserve, qualified members (or their 
qualified survivors) may purchase either the member-only type of 
coverage or the member and family type of coverage by submitting a 
completed request in the appropriate format along with an initial 
payment of the applicable premium at the time of enrollment. When their 
coverage becomes effective, TRICARE Retired Reserve beneficiaries 
receive the TRICARE Standard (and Extra) benefit. TRICARE Retired 
Reserve features the deductible and cost sharing provisions of the 
TRICARE Standard (and Extra) plan for retired members and dependents of 
retired members. Both the member and the member's covered family 
members are provided access priority for care in military treatment 
facilities on the same basis as retired members and their family 
members who are not enrolled in TRICARE Prime.
    2. Analysis of Major Public Comments. Three commenters suggested 
alternative plans to include a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) 
with group discount until age 60; eligibility for Reserve Retirees to 
use the Department of Veterans Affairs health care benefits and 
services; and a tier system that would allow a member to reduce 
premiums by choosing higher deductibles. Another commenter suggested a 
tier system with higher deductibles or different options for cost 
shares and deductibles.
    Three commenters requested the implementation/passing of the TRR 
benefit. One commenter inquired how TRR fits into ``Health Care 
Reform'' making health care affordable for every citizen.
    Response. In regards to the comments suggesting alternative plans, 
we observed that the specific provisions of the law governing TRR does 
not allow implementation of alternative plans as suggested. In 
fulfillment of law, TRR is a premium-based TRICARE health plan that 
features the cost sharing, deductible, and catastrophic cap provisions 
of TRICARE Standard (and Extra) as they pertain to retirees and their 
family members.
    TRICARE Extra is similar to a PPO. TRICARE Standard beneficiaries, 
including TRR members and their covered family members, are using 
TRICARE Extra when they receive care from a provider in the TRICARE 
Network. TRICARE Extra features cost shares that are five percent lower 
than TRICARE Standard cost shares. All Department of Veterans Affairs 
hospitals and clinics nationwide currently are in the TRICARE Network 
through active agreements with TRICARE contractors.
    Multiple premium tiers with various levels of deductibles would not 
be allowed by the statutory provisions that require TRR to be offered 
under one

[[Page 78699]]

program with one monthly premium rate for individual coverage and one 
monthly premium rate for family coverage.
    In regards to the comments requesting the implementation/passing of 
the TRR benefit, Section 705 of the NDAA for FY 2010 was enacted into 
law on October 28, 2009; it was implemented by interim final rule 
effective August 6, 2010; and TRR officially launched September 1, 2010 
with health care coverage available beginning October 1, 2010.
    In regards to the Affordable Care Act comment, the statutory 
provisions of that Act did not amend any of the statutes that govern 
the military health system. Nonetheless, we have projected for a small 
influx of qualified members of the Retired Reserve into TRR beginning 
in 2014 when the new mandates for individuals to have health insurance 
coverage go into effect under the Act.
    It should be noted that legislative action subsequent to enactment 
of Affordable Care Act resulted in TRICARE establishing a program 
called TRICARE Young Adult. Similar to young adult coverage under the 
Affordable Care Act, TRICARE Young Adult offers full-cost, premium-
based TRICARE coverage for purchase by qualified young adults who have 
a parent with TRICARE coverage. See the TRICARE Young Adult Interim 
Final Rule published in the Federal Register on April 27, 2011 (76 FR 
23479-23485) for details.
    3. Provisions of the Final Rule. We clarified that certain special 
programs established in 32 CFR part 199 are not available to members 
covered under TRICARE Retired Reserve (Sec.  199.25(a)(4)(i)(B)). We 
clarified that TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage features the 
deductible, cost sharing, and catastrophic cap provisions of the 
TRICARE Standard (and Extra) plan applicable to retired members and 
dependents of retired members (Sec.  199.25(a)(4)(iv)). We corrected 
the cross-reference to Sec.  199.17(d)(1)(i)(E) of this part regarding 
access priority for care in military treatment facilities for the 
member and the member's covered family members (Sec.  
199.25(a)(4)(iv)). Otherwise, the final rule is consistent with the 
interim final rule (75 FR 47452-47457, August 6, 2010).

B. Qualifications for TRICARE Retired Reserve Coverage (Sec.  
199.25(b))

    1. Provisions of Interim Final Rule. This paragraph defines the 
statutory conditions under which members of a Reserve Component may 
qualify to purchase TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage. The Reserve 
Components of the armed forces have the responsibility to determine and 
validate a member's qualifications to purchase TRICARE Retired Reserve 
coverage. The member's Service personnel office is responsible for 
keeping the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) 
current with eligibility data.
    A member qualifies to purchase TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage if 
the member meets both of the following conditions:
    (a) Is a member of the Retired Reserve of a Reserve component of 
the armed forces who is qualified for a non-regular retirement at age 
60 under chapter 1223 of title 10, U.S.C., but is not age 60; and
    (b) is not enrolled, or eligible to enroll, in a health benefits 
plan under chapter 89 of title 5, U.S.C.
    If a qualified member of the Retired Reserve dies while in a period 
of TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage, the immediate family member(s) of 
such member shall remain qualified to continue existing or purchase new 
TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage until the date on which the deceased 
member of the Retired Reserve would have attained age 60 as long as 
they meet the definition of immediate family member specified below. 
This applies regardless of whether either member-only coverage or 
member and family coverage was in effect on the day of the TRICARE 
Retired Reserve member's death.
    2. Analysis of Major Public Comments. No public comments were 
received relating to this section of the rule.
    3. Provisions of the Final Rule. We clarified the exclusion 
involving the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program. Section 
199.25(b)(1)(ii) specifies that a member of the Retired Reserve 
qualifies to purchase TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage if the member is 
not enrolled in, or eligible to enroll in, a health benefits plan under 
chapter 89 of title 5, U.S.C. That statute has been implemented under 
part 890 of title 5, CFR as the ``Federal Employee Health Benefits'' 
program. For purposes of the FEHB program, the terms ``enrolled,'' 
``enroll'' and ``enrollee'' are defined in section 890.101 of title 5, 
CFR. Otherwise, the final rule is consistent with the interim final 
rule.

 C. TRICARE Retired Reserve Premiums (Sec.  199.25(c))

    1. Provisions of Interim Final Rule. Members are charged premiums 
for coverage under TRICARE Retired Reserve that represent the full cost 
of providing the TRICARE Standard (and Extra) benefit under this 
program. The total annual premium amounts shall be determined by the 
ASD(HA) using an appropriate actuarial basis and are established and 
updated annually, on a calendar year basis, by the ASD(HA) for 
qualified members of the Retired Reserve for each of the two types of 
coverage, member-only coverage and member-and-family coverage. Premiums 
are to be paid monthly. The monthly rate for each month of a calendar 
year is one-twelfth of the annual rate for that calendar year.
    A surviving family member of a Retired Reserve member who qualified 
for TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage as described herein will pay 
premium rates at the member-only rate if there is only one surviving 
family member to be covered by TRICARE Retired Reserve and at the 
member and family rate if there are two or more survivors to be 
covered.
    The appropriate actuarial basis used for calculating premium rates 
shall be one that most closely approximates the actual cost of 
providing care to the same demographic population as those enrolled in 
TRICARE Retired Reserve as determined by the ASD(HA). TRICARE Retired 
Reserve premiums shall be based on the actual costs of providing 
benefits to TRICARE Retired Reserve members and their family members 
during the preceding years if the population of Retired Reserve members 
enrolled in TRICARE Retired Reserve is large enough during those 
preceding years to be considered actuarially appropriate. Until such 
time that actual costs from those preceding years become available, 
TRICARE Retired Reserve premiums shall be based on the actual costs 
during the preceding calendar years for providing benefits to the 
population of retired members and their family members in the same age 
categories as the Retired Reserve population in order to make the 
underlying group actuarially appropriate.
    An adjustment may be applied to cover overhead costs for 
administration of the program by the government. Additionally, premium 
adjustments may be made to cover the prospective costs of any 
significant program changes or any actual experience in the costs of 
administering the TRICARE Retired Reserve program.
    For the portion of calendar year 2010 during which the program is 
in effect, the monthly premium for member-only coverage will be 
$388.31/month (annual premium $4,659.72/year), and the monthly premium 
for member and family coverage will be $976.41/month (annual premium 
$11,716.92/year). The 2010 premiums are based on the actual costs 
during calendar years 2007 and 2008 for providing benefits to the

[[Page 78700]]

population of retired members and their family members in the same age 
categories as the Retired Reserve population in order to make the 
underlying group actuarially appropriate. The historical costs were 
trended forward to 2010 and a two-percent adjustment was applied to 
cover overhead costs for administration of the program by the 
government.
    2. Analysis of Major Public Comments. Seventy-six of the commenters 
expressed that the premiums were too high. Six commenters requested 
that the TRR premium-rate calculations be investigated or reviewed. One 
commenter suggested a separate premium be established for member-plus-
spouse-only. One commenter requested employers be allowed to pay 
members' monthly TRR premiums. One commenter suggested that TRR should 
not cost one third more than Continued Health Care Benefit Program. One 
commenter requested the Fiscal Year 2012 premium rates.
    Response. We recognize that the premiums were much higher than many 
expected. In fulfillment of law, TRR premiums represent the full cost 
of delivering the benefit without the Department of Defense absorbing 
any of the cost. In other words, the Department cannot cover or share 
any of the cost of the premiums by law; TRR members pay full-cost 
premiums.
    TRR premiums were determined on an appropriate actuarial basis 
using actual costs during preceding calendar years for providing 
benefits to the population of retired members and their family members 
in the same age categories as the Retired Reserve population in order 
to make the underlying group actuarially appropriate. In other words, 
the data-driven premiums were derived from highly relevant actual 
TRICARE cost data. This approach is very similar to the approach we 
used for TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) in fulfillment of applicable law; 
however, premiums payable by members in TRS represent only twenty-eight 
percent of the actual cost of TRS coverage delivered in preceding 
years.
    We endeavored to be very open and transparent with the detailed 
information that we provided in the preamble of the interim final rule 
about the establishment of TRR premiums. Nonetheless, we would be glad 
to participate in a Congressionally-directed request or a request under 
proper and applicable authority as appropriate to study the actuarial 
approach used to establish the TRR premium rates.
    In regard to the comment about a separate premium for member plus 
spouse only, we were required by law to establish only two monthly 
premium rates: One rate for TRR member-only coverage and one rate for 
TRR member and family coverage.
    In regard to the comment about allowing employers to pay members' 
monthly TRR premiums, law requires members to pay premiums for their 
purchased TRR coverage.
    In regard to the comment comparing TRR premiums to premiums for the 
Continued Health Care Benefit Program, note that these are two separate 
and distinct programs under law and regulation with different 
requirements for premium establishment for each. A final rule was 
published September 16, 2011 (76 FR 57637-41) that describes the 
applicable requirements for establishing Continued Health Care Benefit 
Program premiums.
    In regards to the question about the fiscal year 2012 premiums, the 
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs established the 
calendar year 2012 premiums as required by regulation on August 24, 
2011 and posted them as Health Affairs Policy 11-013 on the Health 
Affairs Web site, www.health.mil. For calendar year 2012, the TRR 
premium for member-only coverage was $419.72/month (annual premium 
$5,036.64/year), which represented a 2.9% increase over the 2011 rate. 
The 2012 premium for TRR member and family coverage was $1,024.43/month 
(annual premium $12,293.16/year), which represented a 0.4% increase 
over the 2011 rate. The 2012 premiums were based on the actual costs 
during calendar years 2009 and 2010 for providing benefits to the 
population of retired members and their family members in the same age 
categories as the Retired Reserve population in order to make the 
underlying group actuarially appropriate. The historical costs were 
trended forward to 2012 and a two percent adjustment was applied to 
cover overhead costs for administration of the program by the 
government.
    The calendar year 2013 premiums were established and posted on the 
Health Affairs Web site, www.health.mil, on September 13, 2011 as 
Health Affairs Policy 12-008.
    We also clarified that the Director, Healthcare Operations in the 
Defense Health Agency may establish procedures for administrative 
implementation related to premiums (Sec.  199.25(c)).
    3. Provisions of the Final Rule. We made one minor administrative 
clarification that premiums are to be paid monthly, except as otherwise 
provided through administrative implementation, pursuant to procedures 
established by the Director, Healthcare Operations in the Defense 
Health Agency (Sec.  199.25(c)). We added a cross-reference to 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section where each of the two types of 
coverage, member-only coverage and member-and-family coverage are 
described (Sec.  199.25(c)(1)). Otherwise, the final rule is consistent 
with the interim final rule.

D. Procedures (Sec.  199.25(d))

    1. Provisions of Interim Final Rule. The Director, TRICARE 
Management Activity (TMA), may establish procedures for the following:

--Purchasing Coverage. Procedures may be established for a qualified 
member, including surviving family members, to purchase one of two 
types of coverage: Member-only coverage or member-and-family coverage.

    Immediate family members of the Retired Reserve member may be 
included in such family coverage. To purchase either type of TRICARE 
Retired Reserve coverage, Retired Reserve members or their survivors 
qualified as above must complete and submit a request in the 
appropriate format, along with an initial payment of the applicable 
premium required above.

--Continuation Coverage. Procedures may be established for a qualified 
member or qualified survivor to purchase TRICARE Retired Reserve 
coverage with an effective date immediately following the date of 
termination of coverage under another TRICARE program.
--Qualifying Life Event. Procedures may be established for a qualified 
member or qualified survivor to purchase TRICARE Retired Reserve 
coverage on the occasion of a qualifying life event that changes the 
immediate family composition (e.g., birth, death, adoption, divorce, 
etc.). The effective date for TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage will 
coincide with the day of the qualifying life event. It is the 
responsibility of the member to provide personnel officials with the 
necessary evidence required to substantiate the change in immediate 
family composition. Personnel officials will update DEERS in the usual 
manner. Appropriate action will be taken upon receipt of the completed 
request in the appropriate format along with an initial payment of the 
applicable premium in accordance with established procedures.

[[Page 78701]]

--Open Enrollment. Procedures may be established for a qualified member 
or qualified survivor to purchase TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage at 
any time. The effective date of coverage will coincide with the first 
day of a month.
--Survivor coverage under TRICARE Retired Reserve. Procedures may be 
established for a surviving family member of a Retired Reserve member 
who qualified for TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage as described above 
to continue existing or to purchase new TRICARE Retired Reserve 
coverage. Procedures similar to those for qualifying life events may be 
established for a qualified surviving family member to purchase new or 
continuing coverage with an effective date coinciding with the day of 
the member's death. Procedures similar to those for open enrollment may 
be established for a qualified surviving family member to purchase new 
coverage at any time with an effective date coinciding with the first 
day of a month.
--Changing type of coverage. Procedures may be established for TRICARE 
Retired Reserve members or qualified survivors to request to change 
type of coverage during open enrollment or on the occasion of a 
qualifying life event that changes immediate family composition as 
described above by submitting a completed request in the appropriate 
format.
--Termination. Termination of coverage for the member will result in 
termination of coverage for the member's family members in TRICARE 
Retired Reserve, except for qualified survivors as described above.
--Coverage will terminate whenever a member (or qualified survivors) 
ceases to meet the qualifications for the program. For purposes of this 
section, the member no longer qualifies for TRICARE Retired Reserve 
when the member has been eligible for more than 60 days for coverage in 
a health benefits plan under Chapter 89 of Title 5, U.S.C. This affords 
the member sufficient time to make arrangements for health coverage and 
avoid any lapses in health coverage. Further, coverage shall terminate 
when the Retired Reserve member attains the age of 60 or, if survivor 
coverage is in effect, when the deceased Retired Reserve member would 
have attained the age of 60.
--Coverage may terminate for members who gain coverage under another 
TRICARE program.
--Failure to make a premium payment in a timely manner in accordance 
with established procedures will result in termination of coverage for 
the member and any covered family members and will result in denial of 
claims for services with a date of service after the effective date of 
termination.
--Procedures may be established for covered members and survivors to 
request termination of coverage at any time by submitting a completed 
request in the appropriate format.
--Members whose coverage under TRICARE Retired Reserve terminates upon 
their request or for failure to pay premiums will not be allowed to 
purchase coverage under TRICARE Retired Reserve to begin again for a 
period of one year following the effective date of termination.
--Processing. Upon receipt of a completed request in the appropriate 
format, the appropriate enrollment actions will be processed into DEERS 
in accordance with established procedures.
--Periodic revision. Periodically, certain features, rules or 
procedures of TRICARE Retired Reserve may be revised. If such revisions 
will have a significant effect on members' or survivors' costs or 
access to care, members or survivors may be given the opportunity to 
change their type of coverage or terminate coverage coincident with the 
revisions.

    2. Analysis of Major Public Comments. No public comments were 
received relating to this section of the rule.
    3. Provisions of the Final Rule. We clarified that the Director, 
Healthcare Operations in the Defense Health Agency may establish 
procedures for TRR (Sec.  199.25(d)). We added a cross-reference for 
immediate family members of the Retired Reserve member that may be 
included in such family coverage (Sec.  199.25(d)(1)).
    We clarified the rule that procedures may be established for TRR 
coverage to be suspended for up to one year followed by final 
termination for members or qualified survivors if they fail to make 
premium payments in accordance with established procedures or otherwise 
if they request suspension/termination of coverage (Sec.  
199.25(d)(3)). Suspension/termination of coverage for the TRR member/
survivor will result in suspension/termination of coverage for the 
member's/survivor's family members in TRICARE Retired Reserve, except 
as described in Sec.  199.25 (d)(1)(iv). Procedures may be established 
for the suspension to be lifted upon request before final termination 
is applied.

E. Preemption of State Laws (Sec.  199.25(e))

    1. Provisions of Interim Final Rule. This paragraph explains that 
the preemptions of State and local laws established for the TRICARE 
program also apply to TRICARE Retired Reserve. Any State or local law 
or regulation pertaining to health insurance, prepaid health plans, or 
other health care delivery, administration, and financing methods is 
preempted and does not apply in connection with TRICARE Retired 
Reserve.
    This includes State and local laws imposing premium taxes on health 
insurance carriers, underwriters or other plan managers, or similar 
taxes on such entities. Preemption does not apply to taxes, fees, or 
other payments on net income or profit realized by such entities in the 
conduct of business relating to DoD health services contracts, if those 
taxes, fees or other payments are applicable to a broad range of 
business activity. For the purposes of assessing the effect of Federal 
preemption of State and local taxes and fees in connection with DoD 
health services contracts, interpretations shall be consistent with 
those applicable to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program under 
5 U.S.C. 8909(f).
    2. Analysis of Major Public Comments. No public comments were 
received relating to this section of the rule.
    3. Provisions of the Final Rule. The final rule is consistent with 
the interim final rule.

F. Administration (Sec.  199.25(f))

    1. Provisions of Interim Final Rule. This paragraph provides that 
the Director, TRICARE Management Activity, may establish other rules 
and procedures necessary for the effective administration of TRICARE 
Retired Reserve and may authorize exceptions to requirements of this 
section, if permitted by law, based on extraordinary circumstances.
    2. Analysis of Major Public Comments. No public comments were 
received relating to this section of the rule.
    3. Provisions of the Final Rule. We clarified this provision by 
removing the phrase, ``based on extraordinary circumstances'' and 
clarified that the Director, Healthcare Operations in the Defense 
Health Agency has authority to perform this activity.

[[Page 78702]]

G. Terminology (Sec.  199.25(g))

    1. Provisions of Interim Final Rule. The following terms are 
applicable to the TRICARE Retired Reserve program.

--Coverage. This term means the medical benefits covered under the 
TRICARE Standard or Extra programs as further outlined in other 
sections of part 199 of Title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 
whether delivered in military treatment facilities or purchased from 
civilian sources.
--Immediate family member. This term means spouse (except former 
spouse) as defined in Sec.  199.3(b)(2)(i) of this part, or child as 
defined in Sec.  199.3 (b)(2)(ii).
--Qualified member. This term means a member who has satisfied all the 
criteria that must be met before the member is authorized for TRR 
coverage.
--Qualified survivor. This term means an immediate family member who 
has satisfied all the criteria that must be met before the survivor is 
authorized for TRR coverage.

    2. Analysis of Major Public Comments. One commenter wondered if the 
enrollment eligibility of divorced spouses that have been granted a 
portion of a reserve member's retirement benefits had been addressed.
    Response. We mentioned that spouses of qualified Retired Reserve 
members (but not former spouses) are included in TRR member and family 
coverage. This can be found in this terminology section.
    3. Provisions of the Final Rule. The final rule is consistent with 
the interim final rule.

III. Regulatory Procedures

Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review'' and Public 
Law 96-354, ``Regulatory Flexibility Act'' (5 U.S.C. 601)

    Executive Order 12866 requires that a comprehensive regulatory 
impact analysis be performed on any economically significant regulatory 
action, defined as one that would result in an annual effect of $100 
million or more on the national economy or which would have other 
substantial impacts. The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) requires that 
each Federal agency prepare, and make available for public comment, a 
regulatory flexibility analysis when the agency issues a regulation 
which would have a significant impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. This rule is not an economically significant regulatory 
action and will not have a significant impact on a substantial number 
of small entities for purposes of the RFA, thus this final rule is not 
subject to any of these requirements.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3511)

    This rule will not impose additional information collection 
requirements on the public under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(44 U.S.C. 3501-3511).

Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism''

    We have examined the impact(s) of the final rule under Executive 
Order 13132 and it does not have policies that have federalism 
implications that would have substantial direct effects on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government, therefore, consultation with State and local 
officials is not required.

Sec. 202, Public Law 104-4, ``Unfunded Mandates Reform Act''

    This rule does not contain unfunded mandates. It does not contain a 
Federal mandate that may result in the expenditure by State, local and 
tribunal governments, in aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 
million or more in any one year.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 199

    Claims, Handicapped, Health insurance, and Military personnel.

    Accordingly, 32 CFR part 199 is amended as follows:

PART 199--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 199 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 301; 10 U.S.C. chapter 55.

0
2. Amend Sec.  199.25 to read as follows.
0
a. Revise paragraphs (a)(4)(i)(B) and (a)(4)(iv).
0
b. Revise paragraph (b)(1)(ii).
0
c. Revise paragraphs (c) introductory text and (c)(1)(i).
0
d. Revise paragraphs (d) introductory text, (d)(1) introductory text, 
(d)(3) introductory text, (d)(3)(iii), (d)(3)(iv). and (d)(3)(v).
0
e. Revise paragraph (f).
    The revisions read as follows:

Sec.  199.25  TRICARE Retired Reserve.

    (a) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (B) Certain special programs established in 32 CFR part 199 are not 
available to members covered under TRICARE Retired Reserve. The 
Extended Health Care Option (ECHO) program (sec. 199.5) is not 
included. The Supplemental Health Care Program (sec. 199.16) is not 
included, except when a TRICARE Retired Reserve covered beneficiary is 
referred by a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) provider for incidental 
consults and the MTF provider maintains clinical control over the 
episode of care. The TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (sec. 199.13) is 
independent of this program and is otherwise available to all members 
who qualify for the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program whether or not they 
purchase TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage. The Continued Health Care 
Benefits Program (sec. 199.13) is also independent of this program and 
is otherwise available to all members who qualify for the Continued 
Health Care Benefits Program.
* * * * *
    (iv) Benefits. When their coverage becomes effective, TRICARE 
Retired Reserve beneficiaries receive the TRICARE Standard (and Extra) 
benefit including access to military treatment facilities on a space 
available basis and pharmacies, as described in Sec.  199.17 of this 
part. TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage features the deductible, cost 
sharing, and catastrophic cap provisions of the TRICARE Standard (and 
Extra) plan applicable to retired members and dependents of retired 
members. Both the member and the member's covered family members are 
provided access priority for care in military treatment facilities on 
the same basis as retired members and their dependents who are not 
enrolled in TRICARE Prime as described in Sec.  199.17(d)(1)(i)(E).
    (b) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (ii) Is not enrolled in, or eligible to enroll in, a health 
benefits plan under chapter 89 of title 5, U.S.C. That statute has been 
implemented under part 890 of title 5, CFR as the Federal Employee 
Health Benefits (FEHB) program. For purposes of the FEHB program, the 
terms ``enrolled,'' ``enroll'' and ``enrollee'' are defined in Sec.  
890.101 of title 5, CFR.
* * * * *
    (c) TRICARE Retired Reserve premiums. Members are charged premiums 
for coverage under TRICARE Retired Reserve that represent the full cost 
of the program as determined by the Director, Defense Health Agency 
utilizing an appropriate actuarial basis for the provision of the 
benefits provided under the TRICARE Standard and Extra programs for the 
TRICARE Retired Reserve eligible beneficiary population. Premiums are 
to be paid

[[Page 78703]]

monthly, except as otherwise provided through administrative 
implementation, pursuant to procedures established by the Director, 
Healthcare Operations in the Defense Health Agency. The monthly rate 
for each month of a calendar year is one-twelfth of the annual rate for 
that calendar year.
    (1) Annual establishment of rates.--(i) TRICARE Retired Reserve 
monthly premium rates shall be established and updated annually on a 
calendar year basis by the ASD(HA) for each of the two types of 
coverage, member-only coverage and member-and-family coverage as 
described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
* * * * *
    (d) Procedures. The Director, Healthcare Operations in the Defense 
Health Agency, may establish procedures for the following.
    (1) Purchasing Coverage. Procedures may be established for a 
qualified member to purchase one of two types of coverage: Member-only 
coverage or member and family coverage. Immediate family members of the 
Retired Reserve member as specified in paragraph (g)(2) of this section 
may be included in such family coverage. To purchase either type of 
TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage for effective dates of coverage 
described below, Retired Reserve members and survivors qualified under 
either paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section must submit a request 
in the appropriate format, along with an initial payment of the 
applicable premium required by paragraph (c) of this section in 
accordance with established procedures.
* * * * *
    (3) Suspension and Termination. Suspension/termination of coverage 
for the TRR member/survivor will result in suspension/termination of 
coverage for the member's/survivor's family members in TRICARE Retired 
Reserve, except as described in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section. 
Procedures may be established for coverage to be suspended and/or 
terminated as follows.
* * * * *
    (iii) Coverage may be suspended and finally terminated for members/
survivors who fail to make premium payments in accordance with 
established procedures.
    (iv) Coverage may be suspended and finally terminated for members/
survivors upon request at any time by submitting a completed request in 
the appropriate format in accordance with established procedures.
    (v) Under paragraph (d)(3)(iii) or (d)(3)(iv) of this section, 
TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage may first be suspended for a period of 
up to one year followed by final termination. Procedures may be 
established for the suspension to be lifted upon request before final 
termination is applied.
* * * * *
    (f) Administration. The Director, Healthcare Operations in the 
Defense Health Agency may establish other rules and procedures for the 
effective administration of TRICARE Retired Reserve, and may authorize 
exceptions to requirements of this section, if permitted by law.
* * * * *

    Dated: December 22, 2014.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2014-30282 Filed 12-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P
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