Veterans TRICARE Choice Act of 2016

To provide for coordination between the TRICARE program and eligibility for making contributions to a health savings account, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans TRICARE Choice Act of 2016 2. Coordination between TRICARE program and eligibility to make contributions to health savings accounts (a) In general Section 223(c)(1)(B) and , and (iv) coverage under the TRICARE program under chapter 55 . (b) Provisions relating to election of ineligibility under TRICARE (1) In general Chapter 55 section 1097d 1097e. TRICARE program: election of eligibility (a) Election Beginning January 1, 2017, a TRICARE-eligible individual may elect at any time to be ineligible to enroll in (and receive any benefits under) the TRICARE program. (b) Change of election (1) If a TRICARE-eligible individual makes an election under subsection (a), the TRICARE-eligible individual may later elect to be eligible to enroll in the TRICARE program. An election made under this subsection may be made only during a special enrollment period. (2) The Secretary shall ensure that a TRICARE-eligible individual who makes an election under subsection (a) may efficiently enroll in the TRICARE program pursuant to an election under paragraph (1), including by maintaining the individual, as appropriate, in the health care enrollment system under section 1099 of this title in an inactive manner. (c) Period of election If a TRICARE-eligible individual makes an election under subsection (a), such election shall be in effect beginning on the date of such election and ending on the date that such individual makes an election under subsection (b)(1) to enroll in the TRICARE program. (d) Health savings account participation (1) For provisions allowing participation in a health savings account in connection with coverage under a high deductible health plan during the period that the election under subsection (a) is in effect, see section 223(c)(1)(B)(iv) (2) The Secretary shall submit to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue the name of, and any other information that the Commissioner may require with respect to, each TRICARE-eligible individual who makes an election under subsection (a) or (b), not later than 90 days after such election, for purposes of determining the eligibility of such TRICARE-eligible individual for a health savings account described in paragraph (1). (e) Records The Secretary shall ensure that a TRICARE-eligible individual who makes an election under subsection (a) is maintained on the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or successor system, regardless of whether the individual is eligible for the TRICARE program during the period of such election. (f) Provision of information The Secretary shall provide to each TRICARE-eligible individual who seeks to make an election under subsection (a) information regarding— (1) health savings accounts in connection with coverage under a high deductible health plan described in subsection (d)(1), including a comparison of such health saving accounts and the health care benefits the individual is eligible to receive under the TRICARE program; and (2) changing such an election under subsection (b)(1). (g) Annual report Not later than 60 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on elections by TRICARE-eligible individuals under this section that includes the following: (1) The number of TRICARE-eligible individuals, as of the date of the submittal of the report, who are ineligible to enroll in (and receive any benefits under) the TRICARE program pursuant to an election under subsection (a). (2) The number of TRICARE-eligible individuals who made an election described under subsection (a) but, as of the date of the submittal of the report, are enrolled in the TRICARE program pursuant to a change of election under subsection (b). (h) Definitions In this section: (1) The term TRICARE-eligible individual (A) eligible to be a covered beneficiary entitled to health care benefits under the TRICARE program (determined without regard to this section); and (B) not serving on active duty in the uniformed services. (2) The term special enrollment period chapter 89 . (2) Conforming amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 55 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1097d the following new item: 1097e. TRICARE program: election of eligibility. . (c) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to months beginning after December 31, 2016. November 14, 2016 Reported from the Committee on Ways and Means November 14, 2016 The Committee on Armed Services

Summary: Veterans TRICARE Choice Act of 2016 (Sec. 2) This bill allows, as of January 1, 2017, an individual who is eligible to be a covered beneficiary entitled to health care benefits under the TRICARE program (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed health care program) and who is not serving on active duty in the uniformed services to: (1) elect to be ineligible to enroll in TRICARE, (2) make tax deductible contributions to a health savings account during the period such individual elects to be ineligible for TRICARE coverage, and (3) enroll in the TRICARE program at a later date during a special enrollment period. DOD shall submit to the Internal Revenue Service information on each TRICARE-eligible individual who makes such election for purposes of determining such individual's eligibility for a health savings account. DOD shall provide to each TRICARE-eligible individual who seeks to make such election information regarding: (1) health savings accounts, and (2) changing an election.