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Title 32—National Defense–Volume 2
Subtitle A—Department of Defense (Continued)
CHAPTER I—OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (CONTINUED)
SUBCHAPTER M—MISCELLANEOUS
PART 191—THE DOD CIVILIAN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) PROGRAM
§ 191.1 Purpose.
This part:
(a) Implements the DoD Humans Goals Charter; 29 U.S.C. 791, 792, 793, and 795; guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); Executive Order 11830; General Services Administration Order ADM 5420.71A; Executive Orders 11141; 11246 Part II, 11375, and 12086; Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-11; 42 U.S.C. 2000E-16; Executive Order 11478; 38 U.S.C. 2014; 29 U.S.C. 631(b) and 633a; 5 U.S.C. chapters 43 and 72; Secretary of Defense Policy on Sexual Harassment, July 17, 1981; Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower, Reserve Affairs and Logistics) Multiple Addressee Memorandum, August 16, 1981; and 29 U.S.C. 206(d) by establishing the Civilian Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program, to include affirmative action programs, consistent with guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and the DoD Human Goals Charter.
(b) Consolidates in a single document provisions of Secretary of Defense Multiple Addressee Memorandum, June 23, 1981; DoD Directive 1100.11, DoD Directive 1450.1, DoD Directive 5120.46, and DoD Directive 1100.15, therefore cancelling each document.
(c) Authorizes, as an integral part of the Civilian EEO Program, the establishment of Special Emphasis Programs (SEPs) entitled the Federal Women’s Program (FWP), the Hispanic Employment Program (HEP), and the Program for People with Disabilities (PPD), the Asian/Pacific Islander Employment Program (AEP), the American Indian/Alaskan Native Employment Program (AIEP), and the Black Employment Program (BEP).
(d) Establishes the Defense Equal Opportunity Council (DEOC), the Civilian EEO Review Board, the SEP Boards.
(e) Authorizes the issuance of DoD Instructions and Manuals to implement this part and guidance from standard-setting agencies such as EEOC and OPM, consistent with DoD 5025.1-M.
§ 191.2 Applicability and scope.
This part:
(a) Applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and activities supported administratively by OSD, the Military Departments, the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (as an element of the OSD for the purposes of this program), the Unified and Specified Commands, the Defense Agencies, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, the National Guard Bureau, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the Office of Civilian Health and Medical Programs of the Uniformed Services, and the DoD Dependents Schools (hereafter referred to collectively as “DoD Components”).
(b) Applies worldwide to all civilian employees and applicants for civilian employment within the Department of Defense in appropriated and non-appropriated fund positions.
(c) Does not apply to military personnel, for whom equal opportunity is covered by DoD Directive 1350.2
(d) Covers Federal employment issues under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, even though DoD Directive 1020.1
§ 191.3 Definitions.
Affirmative action. A tool to achieve equal employment opportunity. A program of self-analysis, problem identification, data collection, policy statements, reporting systems, and elimination of discriminatory policies and practices, past and present.
Age. A prohibited basis discrimination. For purposes of this Directive, persons protected under age discrimination provisions are those 40 years of age or older, except when a maximum age requirement has been established by statute or the OPM. Aliens employed outside the limits of the United States are not covered by this definition.
Discrimination. Illegal treatment of a person or group based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). The right of all persons to work and advance on the basis of merit, ability, and potential, free from social, personal, or institutional barriers of prejudice and discrimination.
Minorities. All persons classified as black (not of Hispanic origin), Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaskan Native.
National origin. A prohibited basis for discrimination. An individual’s place of origin or his or her ancestor’s place of origin or the possession of physical, cultural, or linguistic characteristics of a national origin group.
People with disabilities. People who have physical or mental impairments that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. For purposes of this part, such term does not include any individual who is an alcoholic or drug abuser and whose current use of alcohol or drugs prevents such individual from performing the duties of the job in question, or whose employment, by reason of such current alcohol or drug abuse, would constitute a direct threat to property or to the safety of others. As used in this paragraph:
(a) Physical or mental impairment. Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal and special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genitourinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.
(b) Major life activities. Functions such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.
(c) Has a record of such impairment. Has a history of, or has been misclassified as having, a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
(d) Is regarded as having an impairment. Has:
(1) A physical or mental impairment that does not substantially limit major life activities but is treated by an employer as constituting such a limitation;
(2) A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities only as a result of the attitude of others toward such impairment; or
(3) None of the impairments defined above but is treated by an employer as having an impairment.
Race. A prohibited basis for discrimination. For purposes of this part, all persons are classified as black (not of Hispanic origin), Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaskan Native, and White, as follows:
(a) Black (not of Hispanic origin). A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.
(b) Hispanic origin. A person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race.
(c) Asian or Pacific Islander. A person having origin in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands. This area includes, for example, China, India, Japan, Korea, the Philippine Islands, and Samoa.
(d) American Indian or Alaskan Native. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North America, and who maintains cultural identification through tribal affiliation or community recognition.
(e) White. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East.
Religion. Traditional systems of religious belief and moral or ethical beliefs as to what is right and wrong that are sincerely held with the strength of traditional religious views. The phrase “religious practice” as used in this part includes both religious observances and practices. DoD Components are expected to accommodate an employee’s religious practices unless doing so causes undue hardship on the conduct of the Component’s business.
Sexual Harassment. A form of sex discrimination that involves unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
(a) Submission to or rejection of such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person’s job, pay, or career; or
(b) Submission to or rejection of such conduct by a person is used as a basis for career or employment decisions affecting that person, or
(c) Such conduct interferes with an individual’s performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
Special Emphasis Program (SEPs). Programs established as integral parts of the overall EEO program to enhance the employment, training, and advancement of a particular minority group, women, or people with disabilities.
Standard-setting agencies. Non-DoD Federal Agencies authorized to establish Federal Government-wide EEO policy or program requirements. The term includes the EEOC; OPM: DoL, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP); and OMB.
§ 191.4 Policy.
It is DoD Policy to:
(a) Recognize equal opportunity programs, including affirmative action programs, as essential elements of readiness that are vital to the accomplishment of the DoD national security mission. Equal employment opportunity is the objective of affirmative action programs.
(b) Develop and implement affirmative action programs to achieve the objective of a civilian work force in which the representation of minorities, women, and people with disabilities at all grade levels, in every occupational series, and in every major organization element is commensurate with the representation specified in EEOC and OPM guidance. Such programs, which shall be designed to identify, recruit, and select qualified personnel, shall be coordinated with the cognizant legal offices.
(c) Ensure that Civilian EEO Program activities for minorities, women, and people with disabilities are integrated fully into the civilian personnel management system.
(d) Assess progress in DoD Component programs in accordance with the affirmative action goals of the Department of Defense.
(e) Prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, mental or physical disability, or age.
(f) Eliminate barriers and practices that impede equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment, including sexual harassment in the work force and at work sites and architectural, transportation, and other barriers affecting people with disabilities.
§ 191.5 Responsibilities.
(a) The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Management and Personnel (ASD(FM&P)), or designee, shall:
(1) Represent the Secretary of Defense in all matters related to the DoD Civilian EEO Program, consistent with DoD Directive 5124.2
(2) Establish and chair the DEOC.
(3) Establish a Civilian EEO Review Board.
(4) Develop policy and provide program oversight for the Civilian EEO Program.
(5) Ensure full implementation of this part, monitor progress of affirmative action program elements, and advise the Secretary of Defense on matters relating to the Civilian EEO Program.
(6) Ensure that realistic goals that provide for significant continuing increases in the percentages of minorities, women, and people with disabilities in entry, middle, and higher grade positions in all organizations and occupations are set and accomplished until the overall DoD objective is met and sustained.
(7) Prepare a new DoD Human Goals Charter each time a new Secretary of Defense is appointed.
(8) Ensure fair, impartial, and timely investigation and resolution of complaints of discrimination in employment, including complaints of sexual harassment.
(9) Establish DoD SEPs for the FWP, HEP, HIP, AEP, AIEP, and BEP.
(10) Establish DoD Special Emphasis Program Boards to assist with implementation of SEPs under this part.
(11) Establish DoD Civilian EEO Award Programs to provide for the annual issuance of Secretary of Defense Certificates of Merit to DoD Components and individuals for outstanding achievement in the major areas covered by this part, and to review all awards and management training programs within the Department of Defense to ensure that minorities, women, and people with disabilities receive full and fair consideration consistent with their qualifications and the applicable program criteria.
(12) Issue implementing instructions and other documents, as required, to achieve the goals of the DoD Civilian EEO Program and to provide policy direction and overall guidance to the DoD Components.
(13) Represent the Department of Defense on programmatic EEO matters with EEOC, OPM, the Department of Justice, other Federal Agencies, and Congress.
(14) Represent the Department of Defense on the Interagency Committee on Handicapped Employees under E.O. 11830, as amended, and the Council on Accessible Technology under General Services Administration Order ADM 5420.71A.
(15) Represent the Department of Defense at meetings and conferences of non-Federal organizations concerned with EEO programs, and coordinate DoD support of such organizations’ activities with the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) and with DoD General Counsel in accordance with DoD Directive 5410.18
(16) Serve as the DoD liaison with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), Department of Labor (DoL), for the purpose of providing contract information, forwarding complaints of discrimination filed against DoD contractors, and implementing administrative sanctions imposed against DoD contractors for violations of E.O. 11141; E.O. 11246; as amended by E.O. 11375, E.O. 12088; and DoL implementing regulations.
(17) Ensure that the DoD FAR Supplement contains appropriate contract provisions for EEO for Government contractors and subcontractors under Executive Orders 11141, 11246 Part II, 11375, and 12086; Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended; Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and DoL implementing regulations.
(b) The Heads of DoD Components, or their designees, shall:
(1) Ensure that all EEO policies are disseminated widely and that they are understood and implemented at all levels within their Components.
(2) Ensure that their Components comply with EEOC and OPM guidance and this part and that minorities, women, and people with disabilities receive full and fair consideration for civilian employment in all grade levels, occupations, and major organizations, with special emphasis on mid-level and higher grades and executive-level jobs, including the Senior Executive Service (SES) and SES candidate pools.
(3) Treat equal opportunity and affirmative action programs as essential elements of readiness that are vital to accomplishment of the national security mission.
(4) Designate a Director of Civilian Equal Opportunity and allocate sufficient staff and other resources to ensure a viable EEO program under this Directive. This includes assignment of staff to be responsible for EEO and affirmative action programs generally and SEP Managers for the SEPs established under this part at the Component level.
(5) Establish DoD SEPs, for the FWP, HEP, PPD, AEP, AIEP, and BEP at Headquarters level and at all field activities levels unless exemptions are granted to field activities. Authority to grant exceptions to field activities of DoD Components is delegated to the Component Heads who, in turn, may redelegate this authority.
(6) Require that EEO be included in critical elements in the performance appraisals of all supervisors, managers, and other Component personnel, military and civilian, with EEO responsibilities.
(7) Ensure fair, impartial, and timely investigation and resolution of complaints of discrimination in employment, including complaints of sexual harassment.
(8) Set realistic Component goals and motivate subordinate managers and supervisors to set and meet their own goals until overall DoD and Component goals are met and sustained.
(9) Evaluate employment policies, practices, and patterns within their respective Components and identify and correct and institutional barriers that restrict opportunities for recruitment, employment, advancement, awards, or training for minorities, women, and people with disabilities and ensure that EEO officers and civilian personnel officers provide leadership in eliminating these barriers.
(10) Ensure that installations and activities establish focused external recruitment programs to produce employment applications from minorities, women, and people with disabilities who are qualified to compete effectively with internal DoD candidates for employment at all levels and in all occupations.
(11) Establish a continuing EEO educational program (including training in the prevention of sexual harassment) for civilian and military personnel who supervise civilian employees.
(12) Establish EEO Awards Programs to recognize individuals and organizational units for outstanding achievement in one or all of the major EEO areas covered by this part.
(13) Review all award and management training programs to ensure that minorities, women, and people with disabilities are considered, consistent with their qualifications and program criteria.
(14) At military installations having a civilian work force and military units, ensure that the Civilian EEO Program is managed by and conducted for civilian personnel only and that the Military Equal Opportunity Program is managed by and conducted for military personnel only. Any exceptions to this policy must be authorized by the Component head.
§ 191.6 Procedures.
(a) Officials designated in this Directive shall allocate resources necessary to develop methods and procedures to ensure that all elements of this part are fully implemented and are in compliance with the spirit and intent of the DoD Human Goals Charter, laws, executive orders, regulatory requirements, and other Directive and Instructions governing the Civilian EEO Program within the Department of Defense.
(b) Heads of DoD Components, in accordance with EEOC and OPM guidance and subject to oversight by and supplemental guidance from the ASD(FM&P), or designee shall:
(1) Develop procedures for and implement an affirmative action program for minorities and women, consistent with section 717 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; E.O. 11478; guidance from EEOC; and guidance from OPM.
(2) Develop procedures for and implement an affirmative action program for people with disabilities consistent with section 501 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and guidance from EEOC.
(3) Develop procedures for and implement an affirmative action program for disabled veterans, consistent with DoD Directive 1341.6.
(4) Develop procedures for and implement systems for investigation and resolution of complaints of employment discrimination under section 717 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; sections 501, 503, and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended and DoD Directive 1020.1; section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended; guidance from EEOC; and applicable case law.
(5) Develop procedures for and implement a Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment Program for minorities and women and a comparable special recruitment program for people with disabilities in accordance with the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978; EEOC instruction concerning affirmative action programs for people with disabilities; guidance from OPM; external recruitment programs to obtain employment applications from minorities, women, and people with disabilities who are competitive with internal DoD candidates for employment at all levels.
(6) Develop procedures for and implement all SEPs established under this part at the Component level. These SEPs shall be integral parts of the Civilian EEO Program and shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this part and applicable EEOC and OPM guidance.
(7) Develop procedures for and implement a program to eliminate sexual harassment in Component work places, consistent with DoD Policy on Sexual Harassment memorandums, and to ensure compliance with the Equal Pay Act.
(8) Develop procedures for and implement a program of employment preference for spouses of military personnel, in accordance with DoD Instruction 1404.12.
(9) Develop procedures for and implement a selective placement program for people with disabilities in accordance with guidance from OPM. This program shall be consistent with the program established in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, and coordinated with the Component’s PPD manager.
(10) Develop procedures for and implement staffing initiatives, training and development programs, and upward mobility programs designed to increase the representation of qualified minorities, women, and people with disabilities on certificates of eligibility and accompanying lists of individuals eligible for special appointments that are provided to selecting officials at all levels within the Component. These programs should include SES candidate programs and shall be targeted in career field in which there is underrepresentation and a likelihood of vacancies (e.g., science and engineering positions).
(11) Develop procedures for and implement a program to evaluate all supervisors and managers with EEO responsibilities on their contributions to and support of the Component’s EEO program. Specifically, Component SES and General Manager personnel, when appropriate, shall have their EEO responsibilities defined as a critical element in their performance appraisals in accordance with the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978.
(12) Develop procedures for an implement a program to participate in and conduct ceremonies, where appropriate, at all levels of the Component to observe nationally proclaimed or other specially-designated community activities that particularly affect minorities, women, and people with disabilities and that support the Civilian EEO Program. Military and civilian personnel should both participate whenever possible. Example of special observances include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday, Black History Month, National Women’s History Week, Women’s Equality Day, Hispanic Heritage Week, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and the Decade of Disabled Persons.
(13) Develop procedures for and implement a program to revise documents and change practices and policies that discriminate against civilian personnel on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, or age.
(14) Develop procedures for and implement and affirmative action program for the continued Federal employment of minorities, women, and people with disabilities who have lost their jobs in DoD Components because of contracting decisions made under OMB Circular No. A-76. (Under OMB Circular Federal employees have, in general, the right of first refusal of employment under these contracts.)
(15) Develop procedures for and implement a program for computer support of employees with disabilities consistent with DoD participation in activities of the Council on Accessible Technology in accordance with General Services Administration Order ADM 5420.71A.
§ 191.7 Civilian EEO program staff.
(a) EEO Managers, including SEP Managers and other staff who are responsible for EEO and affirmative action programs, shall function at a level that is sufficiently responsible with the assigned organization to enable them to communicate effectively the goals and objectives of the program and to enable them to obtain the understanding, support, and commitment of managers and other officials at all levels within the organization.
(b) It shall be the responsibility of EEO Managers, SEP Managers, and other program staff to develop, coordinate, implement, and recommend to managers, other officials, and covered groups the policy, guidance, information, and activities necessary to attain the goals of the SEPs and the overall DoD Civilian EEO Program.
§ 191.8 Defense equal opportunity council and EEO boards.
(a) The DEOC shall be chaired by the ASD (FM&P) and shall coordinate policy for and review civilian and military equal opportunity programs, monitor progress of program elements, and advise the secretary of Defense on pertinent matters. One of the mandates of the DEOC shall be to pursue an aggressive course of action to increase the numbers of minorities, women, and people with disabilities in management and executive positions at grades 13 and above, including the SES and, at the request of the Secretary of Defense, Schedule C, and other noncareer executive positions in the SES and on the Executive Schedule. Members of the DEOC shall include the assistant Secretary of Defense (Reserve Affairs), Director of Administration and Management, and the Assistant Secretaries with responsibility for personnel policy and reserve affairs in the Military Departments.
(b) The Civilian EEO Review Board shall be chaired by the ASD(FM&P), or designee. The Board shall support the DEOC and shall be made up of designated EEO and personnel representatives from the DoD Components and such other individuals as may be necessary to carry out the work of the DEOC and implement this part. The Board shall work with career management officials, other key management officials, and union representatives in developing policies, programs, and objectives.
(c) The DoD SEP Boards shall be chaired by the DoD SEP Managers. These Boards shall be comprised of designated SEP Managers from the DoD Components and such other individuals as may be necessary to advise and assist in EEO activities and policy development in the Department of Defense. The Boards shall work with career management officials, other key management officials, and union representatives in developing policies, programs, and objectives.
(d) The DEOC, Civilian EEO Review Board, and each SEP Board established at the DoD level shall have a Charter that describes its organization, management, functions, and operating procedures, consistent with DoD Directive 5105.18.
(e) Civilian EEO Review Boards and SEP Boards may be established at Component, command, and installation levels as well as the DoD level to assist in program activities.
(f) Members of covered groups should be represented on Civilian EEO Review Boards, SEP Boards, and subcommittees at all levels; and consideration should be given to participation by military personnel and by Federal employees who are union representatives.
§ 191.9 Information requirements.
(a) The ASD(FM&P) shall:
(1) Submit an annual report to the Secretary of Defense on the status of the DoD EEO program. This report shall be developed from existing documents, such as affirmative action plan accomplishment reports, civil rights budget reports, semiannual discrimination complaint reports, and Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment Program reports, plus statistical data obtained from the Defense Manpower Data Center and reports of visits to DoD installations.
(2) Submit consolidated DoD annual reports on discrimination complaints to the EEOC in accordance with EEOC guidance. This reporting requirement is assigned Interagency Report Control Number 0288-EEO-NA.
(b) Heads of DoD Components shall:
(1) Submit annual reports on discrimination complaints to the ASD(FM&P), or designee, in accordance with guidance from the EEOC. This reporting requirement is assigned Interagency Report Control Number 0288-EEO-NA.
(2) Submit copies of affirmative action program plan, affirmative action program plan updates, and affirmative action plan accomplishment reports for minorities, women, and people with disabilities to the ASD(FM&P), or designee, in addition to copies of annual reports for the Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment Program.
(3) Ensure that designated officials submit information for an annual report on computer support of employees with disabilities and for reports on individual computer accommodations for employees with disabilities. These reporting requirements are assigned RCS DD-FM&P (A) 1731 and RCS DD-FM&P (AR) 1732.
§ 191.10 Effective date.
This part is effective May 21, 1987.
PART 192—EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN OFF-BASE HOUSING
§ 192.1 Purpose.
This part:
(a) Revises 32 CFR part 192.
(b) Revises the references, policies, and procedures covering off-base housing and fair housing enforcement.
(c) Outlines discrimination complaint inquiries or investigative procedures and hearing requirements.
(d) Deletes the requirement for each Military Department to submit a semi-annual housing discrimination report to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Management and Personnel) (ASD(FM&P)).
(e) Requires each Military Service to report to the ASD(FM&P) any housing discrimination cases and their results in their Annual Military Equal Opportunity Assessment Report to the ASD(FM&P).
(f) Requires each Military Department to maintain all completed or resolved housing discrimination cases.
(g) Emphasizes liaison with other Government (local, State, or Federal) agencies.
§ 192.2 Applicability.
This part applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the Military Departments, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the Joint Staff, the Unified and Specified Commands, the Inspector General of the Department of Defense (IG, DoD), the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), the Defense Agencies, and DoD Field Activities (hereafter referred to collectively as “DoD Components”). The term “Military Services,” as used herein, refers to the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. DoD civilian employees (as defined in § 192.3) will be offered the same services that members of the Armed Forces receive.
§ 192.3 Definitions.
Agent. Real estate agency, manager, landlord, or owner of a housing facility doing business with DoD personnel or a housing referral service (HRS).
Area outside the United States. Foreign countries where DoD personnel reside.
Commander. The military or civilian head of any installation, organization, or agency of the Department of Defense who is assigned responsibility for the off-base housing program.
Commuting area. That area which is within a 1 hour commute by a privately-owned vehicle during rush hour and no farther than 30 miles from the installation, or within other limits to satisfy mission requirements.
Complainant. A member of the Armed Forces (or authorized dependent designated by the member) or a civilian employee of the Department of Defense (or authorized dependent designated by the civilian employee) who submits a complaint of discrimination under this part.
Discrimination. An act, policy, or procedure that arbitrarily denies equal treatment in housing because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or familial status to an individual or group of individuals.
DoD personnel. (1) Members of the Armed Forces (and their dependents) authorized to live off-base.
(2) DoD civilian employees (and their dependents) who are transferred from one place of residence to another because of job requirements or recruited for job opportunities away from their current place of residence in the United States, and all DoD U.S. citizen appropriated fund and nonappropriated fund civilian employees and their dependents outside the United States.
Familial Status. One or more individuals (who have not attained the age of 18 years) being domiciled with a parent or another person having legal custody of such an individual or individuals; or the designee of such parent or other person having such custody, with the written permission of such parent or other person.
Listed facility. A suitable housing facility (not on restrictive sanction) listed with the HRS as available for occupancy by DoD personnel.
Minorities. All persons classified as black (not of Hispanic origin), Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, or American Indian or Alaskan native.
Relief for the complainant. Action taken by a commander for the benefit of a complainant.
Restrictive sanctions. Actions taken by a commander to prevent military personnel from moving to, or entering into a rental, lease, or purchase arrangement with, a housing facility, when its agent has been found to have discriminated against DoD personnel. Restrictive sanctions are effective against the agent and the facility.
Survey. The procedure by which the HRS identifies housing resources to ascertain the availability of housing facilities for occupancy by DoD personnel.
Verifiers. Volunteers used by the commander during the course of a housing discrimination investigation to determine if, in fact, housing discrimination is being practiced by an agent, as alleged. Verifiers are not required to be prospective tenants.
§ 192.4 Policy.
It is DoD policy that under DoD Directive 1350.2
(a) National Housing Policy. Federal law prohibits discrimination in housing in the United States against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, handicap, or familial status.
(1) Title VIII of P.L. 90-284 contains the following:
(i) The fair housing provisions.
(ii) Outlines the responsibilities of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with regard to Public Law 90-284.
(iii) Requires all Executive Departments and Agencies to administer housing and urban development programs and activities under their jurisdiction in a manner that shall reflect “affirmatively” the furthering of title VIII.
(2) Title IX of Public Law 90-284 makes it a crime to intimidate willfully or interfere with any person by force or threat because of that person’s activities in support of fair housing.
(3) Title 42 U.S.C. 1982 prohibits discrimination in housing in the United States. This statute protects DoD personnel.
(4) Public Law 100-430 amends title VIII of Public Law 90-284 by revising the procedures for the enforcement of fair housing requirements and adding protected classes of individuals.
(5) Title VIII of Public Law 90-284, as amended by Public Law 100-430, does not limit the applicability of any reasonable local, State, or Federal restrictions regarding the maximum number of occupants permitted to occupy a dwelling. Additionally, provisions of such title VIII regarding familial status do not apply with respect to housing intended for, and solely occupied by, persons 62 years of age or older or intended and operated for occupancy, but at least one person 55 years of age or older. For guidance regarding housing occupied by those 55 years of age or older, use the statutory provision at section 805 b(2)(c), 102 Stat. 1623, of Public Law 100-430.
(b) DoD Fair Housing Policy. The Department of Defense intends that Federal fair housing law shall be supported and that DoD personnel shall have equal opportunity for available housing regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, handicap, or familial status.
(1) That policy includes the objective of eliminating discrimination against DoD personnel in off-base housing. That objective is not achieved simply by finding a place to live in a particular part of town or in a particular facility for a specific person.
(2) The intent is achieved when a person meeting the ordinary standards of character and financial responsibility is able to obtain off-base housing equally as any other person anywhere in the area surrounding a military installation, without suffering discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, handicap or familial status.
(i) The accomplishment of this objective shall not be hampered by requiring the submission of a formal complaint of discrimination. A suspected discriminatory act, with or without the filing of a formal complaint, is a valid basis for investigation and, if discrimination is substantiated, imposition of restrictive sanctions.
(ii) On substantiation that an agent practiced discrimination, restrictive sanctions shall be imposed for a minimum of 180 days.
(iii) The fact that Public Law 90-284, 42 U.S.C. 1982, and Public Law 100-430 may or may not provide a remedy in a given case of discrimination affecting DoD personnel does not relieve a commander of the responsibility to ensure equal treatment and equal opportunity for such personnel or to impose restrictive sanctions against the agent and/or facility, when appropriate.
(iv) Military installations shall develop information programs to apprise Service members of the DoD policy and program for equal opportunity in off-base housing. Commanders should use local community resources, such as civil rights organizations, religious and service groups, and local information media, in support of their programs.
§ 192.5 Responsibilities.
The Secretaries of the Military Departments shall:
(a) Ensure nondiscrimination in referring DoD personnel to off-base housing facilities.
(b) Continue efforts (as described in DoD 4165.63-M
(c) Ensure that an office and staff required by DoD 4165.63-M are available in conjunction with the cognizant staff judge advocate or other legal authority to advise Service members on the following:
(1) The procedures in this part.
(2) The application of Public Law 90-284, 42 U.S.C. 1982, and Public Law 100-430 in specific situations.
(3) The rights of individuals to pursue remedies through civilian channels, without recourse and in addition to the procedures prescribed in this part, including the right to:
(i) Make a complaint directly to the Department of HUD and/or to the Department of Justice (DoJ) in the United States.
(ii) Bring a private civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(d) Periodically review off-base housing procedures and policies to ensure effectiveness and compliance with this part. (Appendix A to this part is a checklist to help commanders with this review.)
(e) Cooperate with other Government Agencies investigating housing discrimination complaints filed by Service members.
(f) Ensure that each Military Service reports any housing discrimination cases and their results in the Annual Military Equal Opportunity Assessment Report required by DoD Instruction 1350.3.
§ 192.6 Procedures.
(a) Appendix B to this part contains the detailed procedures for assisting Service members, investigating housing complaints, and reporting requirements for housing discrimination complaints.
(b) The complaint and investigative report required in section B., appendix B to this part is exempt from formal approval and licensing under DoD 7750.5-M.
Appendix A to Part 192—Checklist for Commanders
A. Are all assigned personnel informed of the Equal Opportunity in Off-Base Housing Program requirements before obtaining housing off base?
B. Is there an effective information program ensuring equal opportunity in off-base housing information program?
C. Are community resources being used to support the equal opportunity in off-base housing information program?
D. Are housing discrimination complaints being processed within the required time?
E. Are complainants being informed in writing of the results of housing discrimination inquiry and/or investigating actions?
F. Are housing surveys being conducted periodically to obtain new listings?
G. Are restrictive sanctions being imposed immediately for a minimum of 180 days on agents found to be practicing discrimination?
H. Are the services of command representatives provided to assist applicants in their search for housing?
I. Are HHS personnel and equal opportunity personnel aware of and sensitive to housing problems encountered by DoD personnel?
J. Are equal opportunity in off-base housing reports being submitted accurately and on time?
Appendix B to Part 192—Procedures and Reports
DoD personnel seeking off-base housing shall be processed as follows:
1. Seen by an HRS when available (optional for DoD civilian personnel).
2. Provided assistance in seeking temporary and permanent off-base housing, as follows:
a. Counseling on the equal opportunity in off-base housing program with particular emphasis placed on reporting any indication of discrimination against DoD personnel in their search for housing.
b. Counseling and personal assistance shall include the following services:
(1) Offering to check by telephone the availability of selected listings. A record shall be made and retained for future reference of the date, time, and nature of any conversation confirming the availability of a facility. The race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, or familial status of the applicant shall not be divulged. Caution must be exercised to ensure that a pattern of “confirmation only for minorities” does not develop.
(2) Offering the services of a command representative (such as a unit sponsor or other designated person, when available) to accompany and assist the applicant in the search for housing.
(3) Explaining various discriminatory methods that may be employed by agents. For instance, an agent may arbitrarily refuse to accept or consider the applicant as a tenant, falsely indicate the unit sought has been rented to another applicant, or refuse to make the unit available under the same terms and conditions as are ordinarily applied to applicants for the facilities. In such instances the following shall apply:
(a) The agent shall be queried on the reasons why the unit is not available. After all reasonable steps have been taken to ascertain whether any valid nondiscriminatory reason can be shown for the agent’s rejection of the applicant, and if there appears to be no such reason, a reasonable effort shall be made to persuade the agent to make the unit available to the applicant.
(b) The incident shall be reported immediately by the command representative and the applicant to the HRS for appropriate command action.
Commanders shall ensure that all DoD personnel are informed of the scope and provisions of the DoD Equal Opportunity in Off-Base Housing Program and advised to report immediately to the HRS (when available) any form of discrimination encountered when seeking housing within a Civilian Community. Incidents should be reported to base agencies or command representatives when an HRS is not available (i.e., equal opportunity officer, unit commander, supervisor). A verbal or written statement of discriminatory policy by an agent is considered to be an act or incident of discrimination, and the investigative procedures outlined in this appendix shall be followed.
1. Inquiry into Complaint. Complaints of off-base housing discrimination must receive prompt attention. An inquiry into the complaint shall begin within 3 working days after receipt of the complaint. The inquiry may be informal, but must be detailed sufficiently to determine if discrimination occurred. Upon receipt of a discrimination complaint, the HRS (if there is no HRS, a command designated representative) shall take the following action:
a. Immediately notify the commander.
b. Promptly interview the complainant to determine the details and circumstances of the alleged discriminatory act.
c. Immediately telephone or visit the facility and/or agent concerned, if the complaint is received shortly after the time of the alleged act and it concerns the change in availability of a vacancy (i.e., “just rented,” etc.). Attempt to determine if a vacancy exists without making reference to the complaint received. Request the commander to authorize the use of verifiers, as necessary. (See this appendix, subsection B.2.)
d. Advise the complainant of the provisions and procedures in this Instruction and of the right to pursue further actions through HUD, DoJ, and local or State agencies. Coordinate efforts with the Office of Judge Advocate or other cognizant legal counsel to determine to what extent legal assistance can be provided to the complainant. Assist the complainant in completing seven signed, dated, and notarized copies of HUD Form 903, “Housing Discrimination Complaint.” The fact that a complainant might report an act of alleged discriminatory treatment, but declines completing a HUD Form 903, does not relieve the command of responsibility for making further inquiry and taking such subsequent actions, as may be appropriate.
e. Document the complainant’s action for future reference and inform the commander of the results of the HRS preliminary inquiry and actions taken. The commander shall take action to assist the complainant in obtaining suitable housing. If, due to previous discriminatory practices in the community, suitable housing cannot be obtained by the complainant in a reasonable amount of time, the complainant and the commander may use this fact to justify a request for priority in obtaining military housing or for humanitarian reassignment. Reassignment action is a last resort and must be justified fully through command personnel channels.
2. Use of Verifiers. Verifiers are authorized to determine if a vacancy exists and whether or not rental or such practices are discriminatory. Verifiers shall not be used only for determining sincerity or normal practices of an agent about whom the HRS has not received a housing discrimination complaint.
a. When selecting and using verifiers, the following applies:
(1) Verification of the vacancy shall be made expediently after alleged act of discrimination.
(2) Verifiers may be volunteers. (The equal opportunity office is a possible source for identifying individuals to be used as verifiers.)
(3) The purpose of verification is to isolate the attribute of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or familial status that is the suspected basis for the alleged discrimination against the complainant. Except for those attributes that are considered to be the source of the discrimination complaint, the verifier should possess attributes that are similar to the complainant. If two verifiers are used, one may possess similar attributes to the complainant. Ideally, two verifiers should be used.
b. Instructions provided to the verifiers by HRS personnel should include the following:
(1) Explanation of the equal opportunity in off-base housing and off-base housing referral programs.
(2) Verifiers are to obtain information only on agent and/or facility operating policies, practices, and procedures for subsequent determination of complaint validity.
(3) Verifiers are not to make a verbal or written contract for the housing unit, pay any money, or say they want the housing unit.
(4) Verifiers shall be knowledgeable concerning family composition, pets, and housing requirements of the complainant; they shall ask for identical housing requirements.
(5) The following information shall be obtained by the verifier, if possible:
(a) Concerning the Facility. What is available? Does it meet the requirements of the complainant? Amount of rent or cost of facility? Deposit required? Is an application required? What is the time between filing an application and permission to move in? Are there minority families and/or singles in the facility? Make a note of the presence or absence of a vacancy sign, and any other information deemed appropriate.
(b) Concerning the Prospective Tenants/Purchasers. If possible, ascertain criteria and qualifications that must be met (credit rating, salary, marital status, deposit, written application, etc.) and obtain a complete description of all procedures for becoming a tenant/purchaser including all steps from initial inquiry to moving in. Does the agent’s subjective impression of the applicant appear to play any part in the decision to rent the unit?
(6) The verifier’s statement shall be completed immediately after the verification visit, if possible. It shall be accurate, objective, and factual. Include the following in the statement:
(a) Date, time of visit, persons contacted, positions of persons contacted. Include any other pertinent information obtained during visit; i.e., length of time employed at facility, in addition to the information in this appendix, subparagraph B.2.b.(5), above.
(b) When reconstructing a conversation, write in the first person and try to use direct quotes. Do not use pronouns such as “he,” “she,” or “they.” Clearly identify who said what to whom.
(c) Sign and date statement. Give full name, address, telephone number (duty or home), race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap or familial status, as relevant to the complaint.
3. Complaint Process. If the basic facts of the HRS preliminary inquiry appear to substantiate the complaint, the commander shall ensure that the following actions begin within 3 working days of receipt of the inquiry report:
a. Informal Hearing. Give written notice to the agent explaining the nature of the complaint and the agent’s right to request an informal hearing with the commander. The notification shall state specifically the nature of the discrimination complaint and the right of the agent to appear personally at the hearing, to be represented by an attorney, to present evidence, and to call witnesses. The notification also shall state that the agent has 5 days after receipt of the written notice to request a hearing. If no request is received within 5 days, the lack of response shall be considered as a waiver of the right to such hearing. The written notification either shall be delivered to the agent personally by a representative of the commander, or shall be sent to the agent by certified mail with return receipt requested.
(1) Composition of an Informal Hearing. The informal hearing shall be conducted by the commander or designee at a convenient location. The agent, agent’s attorney, the complainant, the complainant’s attorney, the equal opportunity officer, the HRS, the Staff Judge Advocate or other cognizant legal counsel, or other designated persons may attend.
(2) Record of Hearing. A summary of the hearing shall be made a part of the complaint file.
b. Legal Review. A legal review shall be accomplished following the inquiry and informal hearing (if applicable) and before the commander’s final decision that the inquiry supports or fails to support the complaint. The summary and other pertinent documents shall be reviewed for content and completeness. A statement that such a review was conducted and signed by the Staff Judge Advocate or other cognizant legal counsel performing the review shall be made a part of the case file. That statement shall include:
(1) Any necessary explanatory remarks, including comments on the facts and evidence presented.
(2) Information known about pending complaints brought by other parties on the same facility and/or agent.
(3) Comments on the civil rights laws relevant to the particular case.
4. Commander’s Decision. The responsibility for imposition of restrictive sanctions rests with the commander and cannot be delegated. The commander’s decision shall be based on a full and impartial review of all facts and the policies and requirements as stated in this part. The commander’s options include the following:
a. If the commander determines that more information is required, or for any reason further inquiry is deemed necessary, an officer shall be appointed from sources other than the HRS to conduct a formal inquiry or investigation, as the situation warrants. The officer, if not an attorney, shall be afforded the advice and assistance of a Staff Judge Advocate or other cognizant legal counsel.
b. If, in the commander’s judgment, the inquiry or investigation fails to support the complaint the case shall be considered closed and the commander shall:
(1) Inform the complainant in writing of all actions taken and advise the complainant of rights to pursue further actions to include the following:
(a) The right to submit a complaint to the HUD and the DoJ.
(b) The right to bring a private civil action in a State or Federal court of competent jurisdiction.
(c) The availability of legal assistance from their local Staff Judge Advocate or other cognizant legal counsel in pursuing civil redress.
(2) Summarize in the report file the practices giving rise to the complaint, the actions and results of the inquiry or investigation, and if discriminatory practices were found, written assurances from the agent on future facility and/or agent practices. The following statement, completed by the complainant, shall be included, as part of the case file: “I am (am not) satisfied with the efforts taken by the commander on my behalf to achieve satisfactory resolution of my off-base housing discrimination complaint.” If the complainant indicates a lack of satisfaction, the reasons must be included in the case file.
(3) Inform the agent of the results of the inquiry by command correspondence if an informal hearing was held. Such correspondence should reiterate DoD policy and requirements for equal opportunity in off-base housing.
(4) Forward unsubstantiated complaint reports and HUD Form 903 to the HUD and the DoJ if requested by the complainant.
(5) Retain a copy of the report file for 2 years for future reference.
c. If the inquiry or investigation supports the complainant’s charge of discrimination and the discriminatory act is determined by the commander to conflict with DoD policy, the commander shall:
(1) Impose restrictive sanctions against the agent and/or facility for a minimum of 180 days. Sanctions shall remain in effect until the requirements in this appendix, subparagraphs B.6.a.(1) or B.6.a.(2), below, are met. Restrictive sanctions shall be imposed when a suspected discriminatory act, despite the absence of a formal complaint, is investigated and found valid. The fact that a validated discrimination complaint and/or incident has been or is scheduled to be forwarded to another Agency (the HUD, the DoJ, etc.) is not cause for withholding sanction action pending the outcome of that Agency’s further review or investigation. When imposing a restrictive sanction, the commander shall:
(a) Remove the facility listing(s) from HRO files.
(b) Impose restrictive sanctions against all facilities owned or operated by the agent concerned.
(c) Place the facility on the restrictive sanction list maintained by the HRS. The restrictive sanction list shall be prepared on official letterhead stationery, signed by the commander, and include the authority for and conditions of the restrictive sanctions.
(d) Inform the agent concerned by command correspondence that:
(1) Restrictive sanctions have been imposed.
(2) The reasons, nature, and minimum duration of the restrictions.
(3) The action required for the removal of sanctions at the conclusion of the minimum period.
(e) Provide all DoD personnel reporting to the HRS with a copy of the restrictive sanction list, and advise members of the Armed Forces that they may not rent, lease, purchase, or reside in any of the listed facilities. Obtain a signed acknowledgment of receipt of the restrictive sanction list from the HRS using a DD Form 1746, “Application for Assignment to Housing.”
(f) Advise other military installations of the restrictive sanction action taken when the sanctioned facility is located within the commuting area of their military installations.
(2) Inform the complainant in writing of all actions taken and advise the complainant that his or her case will receive continuing action to include, if the complainant requests, forwarding the case file to the HUD and/or the DoJ for action.
(3) Before forwarding the report to the respective Military Department, prepare a memorandum outlining the following:
(a) The base efforts made to obtain housing relief for the complainant.
(b) The impact of restrictive sanctions on the off-base housing program and DoD personnel and their dependents.
(c) Any other considerations deemed relevant.
(4) Include a statement completed by the complainant for the case file. (See this appendix, subparagraph B.4.b.(3), above.)
(5) If the act of discrimination falls within existing regulations, forward a copy of the complaint and investigation report directly to the HUD within 180 days after the occurrence of the alleged discriminating act, using HUD Form 903. The original report shall be sent to the appropriate HUD Regional Office or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, 451 7th Street SW., Washington, DC 20410. A copy of the complaint and investigation report shall be forwarded to the Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20530.
(6) When more than one complaint alleging discrimination in the same facility or by the same agent has been received, consolidate the complaints for the inquiry, legal review, and commander’s memorandum.
d. When a commander receives a complaint alleging further discrimination in a facility or by an agent after a completed case file has been closed, the commander shall forward the summary of the facts on the subsequent complaint, outlined in this enclosure, subparagraph B.4.c.(6), above. Include brief comments indicating the extent to which the new complaint affects the previous action.
5. Followup Actions. After forwarding the report and all required attachments to the HUD and the DoJ, the commander shall take the following actions:
a. Cooperate with the HUD, the DoJ, and the local and State agency representatives during their investigation and processing of the case, should those entities seek assistance.
b. Periodically determine the status of the case by maintaining liaison with the HUD office concerned. Contact shall be maintained until such time as the case is resolved by the HUD.
c. Ensure that the complainant is kept informed directly by the HUD and/or the DoJ.
d. Ensure that DoD personnel comply with the restrictive sanctions imposed on the facility and/or the agent. Housing personnel will comply with the following:
(1) Military personnel moving into or changing their place of residence in the commuting area of a military installation or activity may not enter into a rental, purchase, or lease arrangement with an agent or a facility that is under restrictive sanction.
(2) Implement procedures for ensuring that DoD personnel seeking housing are made aware of, and are counselled on, current restrictive sanctions.
(3) Sanctions are not applicable to the DoD personnel who may be residing in a facility when the sanction is imposed or to the extension or renewal of a rental or lease agreement originally entered into before the imposition of the sanction. Relocation of a military tenant within a restricted facility is prohibited without the written approval of the commander.
(4) If it is determined that a member of the Armed Forces has intentionally taken residency in a restricted facility contrary to instructions received by Housing Referral personnel, the commander shall take appropriate disciplinary action against that number.
(5) Periodically publish a current listing of restricted facilities in the base bulletin (or other appropriate means of internal distribution). Minimally, such publication shall occur when there has been an addition or deletion to the list.
6. Removal of Restrictive Sanction
a. A facility and/or agent may be removed from restrictive sanction only if one of the following actions is taken:
(1) The restrictive sanction may be removed before completion of the 180 day restrictive period if an approved waiver request is obtained from the senior installation commander concerned, or designee. Consideration shall be given to lifting an imposed sanction only in exceptional circumstances and in conjunction with a written assurance of nondiscrimination from the agent concerned.
(2) After completion of 180 days on restrictive sanction, if the agent provides written assurance of future nondiscrimination to the HRS.
b. The commander shall inform the HRS, the equal opportunity office, and the agent in writing of the removal from restrictive sanction.
7. “Privacy Act” and “Freedom of Information Act” Inquiries. Requests for information from reports of housing discrimination shall be processed in accordance with 32 CFR parts 285 and 286a.
Commanders of installations or activities outside the United States shall ensure that all DoD personnel, on reporting to the HRS, are clearly informed of the scope and provisions of the DoD Equal Opportunity in Off-Base Housing Program and advised to report immediately to the HRS any form of discrimination encountered as a tenant, prospective tenant, or purchaser. Incidents reported to base agencies or representatives other than the HRS (i.e., equal opportunity officer, unit commander, supervisor) shall be brought to the immediate attention of the HRS for appropriate action. On receiving a complaint of discrimination, the commander and HRS shall:
1. Consult with the Staff Judge Advocate or other cognizant legal counsel to determine if the laws of the country concerned (or any subdivision thereof) prohibit any of the actions outlined in this appendix, section B., above.
2. Take actions outlined in this appendix, section B, above, except that a HUD Form 903 shall not be completed because reports of cases arising outside the United States are not forwarded to the HUD or the DoJ. Complainants should understand that the fair housing provisions of the P.L. 90-284, “Civil Rights Act,” Title 42, United States, 1982, and Public Law 100-430, “Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988,” September 13, 1988, are not applicable in areas outside the United States.
3. Determine, with legal advice, whether redress for the discriminatory act should be sought from authorities in the host country. Redress shall be based on the laws of the country (or subdivision thereof) concerned.
1. A copy of each complaint and investigative report that substantiates a housing discrimination shall be submitted to the appropriate Military Department (manpower and reserve affairs and/or the equal opportunity office) not later than 45 days from the date the case is completed. Under normal circumstances, the commander of the installation concerned shall complete the required investigation and processing complaints within 45 days from the date that a housing complaint is filed by a complainant.
2. A copy of complaint and investigative reports that do not substantiate allegations of housing discrimination shall be kept on file at the installation level for a 24-month period beginning from the date the case was completed.
PART 193—HIGHWAYS FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE
§ 193.1 Purpose and scope.
This part sets forth policy, responsibilities, and authority in matters pertaining to Department of Defense highway needs and, when appropriate, to the highway needs of other Federal agencies, during peacetime and emergencies in the United States and its territories and possessions.
§ 193.2 Applicability.
The provisions of this part apply to all components of the Department of Defense.
§ 193.3 Policy.
In order to insure that the national defense is served by adequate, safe and efficient highway transportation, it shall be the policy of the DoD to (a) integrate the highway needs of the national defense into the civil highway programs of the various State and Federal agencies, and (b) cooperate with those agencies in matters pertaining to the use of public highways and in planning their development and construction.
§ 193.4 Authorities and responsibilities.
(a) The Secretary of the Army, as the Single Manager for Military Traffic, Land Transportation, and Common-User Ocean Terminals (see DoD Directive 5160.53, Single Manager Assignment for Military Traffic, Land Transportation, and Common-User Ocean Terminals, March 24, 1967 (32 FR 5295)), is hereby designated as the Executive Agent for the Department of Defense (hereinafter referred to as the Executive Agent), in matters pertaining to public highways to serve the national defense in meeting both peacetime and mobilization highway transportation needs in the United States, its territories and possessions; and highway needs of other Federal agencies, when appropriate. The Executive Agent, or his designee, under the policy guidance of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Installations and Logistics), will:
(1) Coordinate the defense transportation interest in public highways, including the implementation of subsection (h), section 210 of Title 23 U.S. Code, and integrate foreseen DoD highway needs and operational requirements into the highway programs of the United States, its territories and possessions.
(2) Review and analyze DoD access road needs, and, when appropriate, those of other Federal agencies from the standpoint of approved transportation engineering practices, statutory provisions, and policies and procedures of the Bureau of Public Roads, Department of Transportation.
(3) Represent the DoD in matters pertaining to highways to serve the national defense in liaison with the Bureau of Public Roads, the American Association of State Highway Officials, and other appropriate Government and non-Government agencies.
(4) Certify on behalf of the Secretary of Defense to the appropriate Government agency, the public highway needs of the DoD and, when appropriate, the needs of other Federal agencies, as being important to the national defense. (See section 210, Title 23, U.S. Code.)
(5) Advise and assist the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) in matters pertaining to the (i) preparation and justification of budget requirements for defense access road needs, and (ii) transfer of funds appropriated for this purpose to the Bureau of Public Roads.
(6) Develop and maintain an efficient relationship between the design of military vehicles and State and Federal standards for the design of public highways to ensure the effective and efficient utilization of such highways by military vehicles.
(7) Provide highway traffic engineering services to DoD components, when requested.
(8) Insure effective cooperation between the Department of Defense and state highway authorities in matters pertaining to special defense utilization of public highways.
(b) The other DoD Components will:
(1) Maintain official liaison with the Executive Agent in matters pertaining to the provision of public highways to serve the national defense and the access road needs of new or expanded DoD installations and activities.
(2) Furnish the Executive Agent with information and data on current and potential access-road and highway-system needs on request.
(c) The Secretaries of the Military Departments, or their designees, are authorized to act for the Secretary of Defense under the provisions of subsection (h) of section 210, Title 23, U.S. Code, in determining, in connection with the funding of contracts for the construction of classified military installations and facilities for ballistic missiles, that construction estimates and the bids of contractors did not include allowances for repairing road damages.
(d) The Secretaries of the Military Departments and the Directors of DoD Agencies will program, budget, and finance for the responsibilities assigned by this part and their access road requirements (see Pub. L. 90-180, Military Construction Appropriation Act, fiscal year 1968, and successor statutes) in accordance with applicable program and financial guidelines and procedures.
PART 194 [RESERVED]
PART 195—NONDISCRIMINATION IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE—EFFECTUATION OF TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964
§ 195.1 Purpose.
The purpose of this part is to effectuate the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (referred to in this part as the “Act”) to the end that no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance from any component of the Department of Defense.
§ 195.2 Definitions.
(a) Component means the Office of the Secretary of Defense, a military department or a Defense agency.
(b) Responsible Department official means the Secretary of Defense or other official of the Department of Defense or component thereof who by law or by delegation has the principal responsibility within the Department or component for the administration of the law extending such assistance.
(c) The term United States means the States of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Wake Island, the Canal Zone, and the territories and possessions of the United States, and the term “State” means any one of the foregoing.
(d) The term Federal financial assistance includes:
(1) Grants and loans of Federal funds,
(2) The grant or donation of Federal property and interests in property,
(3) The detail of Federal personnel,
(4) The sale and lease of, and the permission to use (on other than a casual or transient basis), Federal property or any interest in such property without consideration or at a nominal consideration, or at a consideration which is reduced for the purpose of assisting the recipient, or in recognition of the public interest to be served by such sale or lease to the recipient, and
(5) Any Federal agreement, arrangement, or other contract which has as one of its purposes the provision of assistance.
(e) The term program includes any program, project, or activity for the provision of services, financial aid, or other benefits to individuals, or for the provision of facilities for furnishing services, financial aid or other benefits to individuals. The services, financial aid, or other benefits provided under a program receiving Federal financial assistance shall be deemed to include any services, financial aid, or other benefits provided with the aid of Federal financial assistance or with the aid of any non-Federal funds, property, or other resources required to be expended or made available for the program to meet matching requirements or other conditions which must be met in order to receive the Federal financial assistance, and to include any services, financial aid, or other benefits provided in or through a facility provided with the aid of Federal financial assistance or such non-Federal resources.
(f) The term facility includes all or any portion of structures, equipment, or other real or personal property or interests therein, and the provision of facilities includes the construction, expansion, renovation, remodeling, alteration or acquisition of facilities.
(g) The term recipient means any State, political subdivision of any State, or instrumentality of any State or political subdivision, any public or private agency, institution, or organization, or other entity, or any individual, in any State, to whom Federal financial assistance is extended, directly or through another recipient, for any program, including any successor, assign, or transferee thereof, but such term does not include any ultimate beneficiary under any such program.
(h) The term primary recipient means any recipient which is authorized or required to extend Federal financial assistance to another recipient for the purpose of carrying out a program.
(i) The term applicant means one who submits an application, request, or plan required to be approved by a responsible Department official, or by a primary recipient, as a condition to eligibility for Federal financial assistance, and the term “application” means such an application, request or plan.
§ 195.3 Application.
This part applies to any program for which Federal financial assistance is authorized under a law administered by any component of the Department of Defense, including the federally assisted programs and activities listed in appendix A of this part. This directive applies to money paid, property transferred, or other Federal financial assistance extended under any such program after January 7, 1965 pursuant to an application approved prior to such date. This directive does not apply to: (a) Any Federal financial assistance by way of insurance guaranty contracts, (b) money paid, property transferred, or other assistance extended under any such program before January 7, 1965, (c) any assistance to any individual who is the ultimate beneficiary under any such program, or (d) any employment practice, under any such program, of any employer, employment agency, or labor organization, except as noted in § 195.4(b)(5) of this part. The fact that a program or activity is not listed in appendix A shall not mean, if title VI of the Act is otherwise applicable, that such program is not covered. Other programs under statutes now in force or hereinafter enacted may be added to this list by notice published in the
§ 195.4 Policy.
(a) General. No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program to which this (part) applies.
(b) Specific discriminatory actions prohibited. (1) A recipient under any program to which this part applies may not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, on the ground of race, color, or national origin:
(i) Deny an individual any service, financial aid, or other benefit provided under the program;
(ii) Provide any service, financial aid, or other benefit to an individual which is different, or is provided in a different manner, from that provided to others under the program;
(iii) In determining the site or location of facilities, a recipient may not make selections with the purpose of excluding individuals from, denying them the benefits of, or subjecting them to discrimination under any program to which this part applies, on the ground of race, color, or national origin; or with the purpose or effect of defeating or substantially impairing the accomplishment of the objectives of the Act or this part.
(iv) Subject an individual to segregation or separate treatment in any matter related to his receipt of any service, financial aid, or other benefit under the program;
(v) Restrict an individual in any way in the enjoyment of any advantage or privilege enjoyed by others receiving any service, financial aid, or other benefit under the program;
(vi) Treat an individual differently from others in determining whether he satisfies any admission, enrollment, quota, eligibility, membership or other requirement or condition which individuals must meet in order to be provided any service, financial aid, or other benefit provided under the program;
(vii) Deny an individual an opportunity to participate in the program through the provision of services or otherwise or afford him an opportunity to do so which is different from that afforded others under the program;
(viii) Deny a person the opportunity to participate as a member of a planning or advisory body which is an integral part of the program.
(2) A recipient, in determining the types of services, financial aid, or other benefits, or facilities which will be provided under any such program, or the class of individuals to whom, or the situations in which, such services, financial aid, other benefits, or facilities will be provided under any such program, or the class of individuals to be afforded an opportunity to participate in any such program, may not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, utilize criteria or methods of administration which have the effect of subjecting individuals to discrimination because of their race, color, or national origin, or have the effect of defeating or substantially impairing accomplishment of the objectives of the program as respect individuals of a particular race, color, or national origin.
(3) As used in this section the services, financial aid, or other benefits provided under a program receiving Federal financial assistance shall be deemed to include any service, financial aid, or other benefit provided in or through a facility provided with the aid of Federal financial assistance.
(4)(i) In administering a program regarding which the recipient has previously discriminated against persons on the ground of race, color, or national origin, the recipient must take affirmative action to overcome the effects of prior discrimination.
(ii) Even in the absence of such prior discrimination, a recipient in administering a program may take affirmative action to overcome the effects of conditions which resulted in limiting participation by persons of a particular race, color, or national origin.
(5) Where a primary objective of the Federal financial assistance is not to provide employment, but nevertheless discrimination on the grounds of race, color or national origin in the employment practices of the recipient or other persons subject to this Directive tends, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin of the intended beneficiaries, to exclude intended beneficiaries from participation in, to deny them benefits of, or to subject them to discrimination under any program to which this Directive applies, the recipient or other persons subject to this Directive are prohibited from (directly or through contractual or other arrangements) subjecting an individual to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in its employment practices under such program (including recruitment or recruitment advertising; employment, layoff or termination; upgrading, demotion or transfer; rates of pay and/or other forms of compensation; and use of facilities), to the extent necessary to assure equality of opportunity to, and nondiscriminatory treatment of the beneficiaries. Any action taken by a component pursuant to this provision with respect to a state or local agency subject to Standards for a Merit System of Personnel Administration, 45 CFR part 70, shall be consistent with those standards and shall be coordinated with the U.S. Civil Service Commission.
(6) The enumeration of specific forms of prohibited discrimination in this section does not limit the generality of the prohibition in paragraph (a) of this section.
§ 195.5 Responsibilities.
(a) The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower) shall be responsible for insuring that the policies of this part are effectuated throughout the Department of Defense. He may review from time to time as he deems necessary the implementation of these policies by the components of the Department of Defense.
(b) The Secretary of each Military Department is responsible for implementing this part with respect to programs and activities receiving financial assistance from his Military Department; and the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower) is responsible for similarly implementing this part with respect to all other components of the Department of Defense. Each may designate official(s) to fulfill this responsibility in accordance with § 195.2(b).
(c) The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower) or, after consultation with the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower), the Secretary of each Military Department or other responsible Department official designated by the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower) may assign to officials of other departments or agencies of the Government, with the consent of such departments or agencies, responsibilities in connection with the effectuation of the purposes of Title VI of the Act and this part (other than responsibility for final decision as provided in § 195.11), including the achievement of effective coordination and maximum uniformity within the Department and within the Executive Branch of the Government in the application of Title VI and this part to similar programs and in similar situations.
§ 195.6 Assurances required.
(a) General. (1)(i) Every application for Federal financial assistance to carry out a program to which this part applies, except a program to which paragraph (b) of this section applies, and every application for Federal financial assistance to provide a facility shall, as a condition to its approval and the extension of any Federal financial assistance pursuant to the application, contain or be accompanied by an assurance that the program will be conducted or the facility operated in compliance with all requirements imposed by or pursuant to this part.
(ii) In the case where the Federal financial assistance is to provide or is in the form of personal property, or real property or interest therein or structures thereon, the assurance shall obligate the recipient, or, in the case of a subsequent transfer, the transferee, for the period during which the property or structures are used for a purpose for which the Federal financial assistance is extended or for another purpose involving the provision of similar services and benefits, or for as long as the recipient retains ownership or possession of the property, whichever is longer. In all other cases the assurance shall obligate the recipient for the period during which Federal financial assistance is extended pursuant to the application. In any case in which Federal financial assistance is extended without an application having been made, such extension shall be subject to the same assurances as if an application had been made. The responsible Department official shall specify the form of the foregoing assurances for each program, and the extent to which like assurances will be required of subguarantees, contractors and subcontractors, transferees, successors in interest, and other participants in the program. Any such assurance shall include provisions which give the United States a right to seek its judicial enforcement.
(2) In the case of real property, structures or improvements thereon, or interest therein, which was acquired through a program of Federal financial assistance, or in the case where Federal financial assistance is provided in the form of a transfer of real property or interest therein from the Federal Government, the instrument effecting or recording the transfer, shall contain a covenant running with the land assuring nondiscrimination for the period during which the real property is used for a purpose for which the Federal financial assistance is extended or for another purpose involving the provision of similar services or benefits, or for as long as the recipient retains ownership or possession of the property, whichever is longer. Where no transfer of property is involved, but property is improved under a program of Federal financial assistance, the recipient shall agree to include such a covenant in any subsequent transfer of such property. Where the property is obtained from the Federal Government, such covenant may also include a condition coupled with a right to be reserved by the Department to revert title to the property in the event of a breach of the covenant where, in the discretion of the responsible Department official, such a condition and right of reverter is appropriate to the program under which the real property is obtained and to the nature of the grant and the grantee. In the event a transferee of real property proposes to mortgage or otherwise encumber the real property as security for financing construction of new, or improvement of existing facilities on such property for the purposes for which the property was transferred, the responsible Department official may agree, upon request of the transferee and if necessary to accomplish such financing, and upon such conditions as he deems appropriate, to forbear the exercise of such right to revert title for so long as the lien of such mortgage or other encumbrance remains effective. In programs receiving Federal financial assistance in the form, or for the acquisition of real property or an interest in real property, to the extent that rights to space on, over, or under any such property are included as part of the program receiving such assistance, the nondiscrimination requirements of this part shall extend to any facility located wholly or in part in such space.
(3) The assurance required in the case of a transfer of surplus personal property shall be inserted in a written agreement by and between the Department of Defense component concerned and the recipient.
(b) Continuing State programs. Every application by a State agency to carry out a program involving continuing Federal financial assistance to which this part applies shall as a condition to its approval and the extension of any Federal financial assistance pursuant to the application (1) contain or be accompanied by a statement that the program is (or, in the case of a new program, will be) conducted in compliance with all requirements imposed by or pursuant to this part, and (2) provide or be accompanied by provision for such methods of administration for the program as are found by the responsible Department official to give reasonable assurance that the applicant and all recipients of Federal financial assistance under such program will comply with all requirements imposed by or pursuant to this part. In cases of continuing State programs in which applications are not made, the extension of Federal financial assistance shall be subject to the same conditions under this subsection as if applications had been made.
(c) Assurances from institutions. (1) In the case of Federal financial assistance to an institution of higher education, the assurance required by this section shall extend to admission practices and to all other practices relating to the treatment of students.
(2) The assurance required with respect to an institution of higher education, or any other institution, insofar as the assurance relates to the institution’s practices with respect to admission or other treatment of individuals as students of the institution or to the opportunity to participate in the provision of services or other benefits to such individuals, shall be applicable to the entire institution unless the applicant establishes, to the satisfaction of the responsible Department official, that the institution’s practices in designated parts or programs of the institution will in no way affect its practices in the program of the institution for which Federal financial assistance is sought, or the beneficiaries of or participants in such program. If in any such case the assistance sought is for the construction of a facility or part of a facility, the assurance shall in any event extend to the entire facility and to facilities operated in connection therewith.
(d) Elementary and secondary schools. The requirement of paragraph (a), (b), or (c) of this section, with respect to any elementary or secondary school or school system shall be deemed to be satisfied if such school or school system (1) is subject to a final order of a court of the United States for the desegregation of such school or school system, and provides an assurance that it will comply with such order, including any future modification of such order, or (2) submits a plan for the desegregation of such school or school system which the responsible official of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare determines is adequate to accomplish the purposes of the Act and this part, and provides reasonable assurance that it will carry out such plan; in any case of continuing Federal financial assistance the said Department officer may reserve the right to redetermine, after such period as may be specified by him, the adequacy of the plan to accomplish the purpose of the Act or this part within the earliest practicable time. In any case in which a final order of a court of the United States for the desegregation of such school or school system is entered after submission of such a plan, such plan shall be revised to conform to such final order, including any future modification of said order.
§ 195.7 Compliance information.
(a) Cooperation and assistance. Each responsible Department official shall to the fullest extent practicable seek the cooperation of recipients in obtaining compliance with this part and shall provide assistance and guidance to recipients to help them comply voluntarily with this part.
(b) Compliance reports. Each recipient shall keep such records and submit to the responsible Department official timely, complete and accurate compliance reports at such times, and in such form and containing such information, as the responsible Department official may determine to be necessary to enable him to ascertain whether the recipient has complied or is complying with this part. In general, recipients should have available for the Department racial and ethnic data showing the extent to which members of minority groups are beneficiaries of federally assisted programs. In the case of any program under which a primary recipient extends Federal financial assistance to any other recipient, such other recipient shall also submit such compliance reports to the primary recipient as may be necessary to enable the primary recipient to carry out its obligations imposed pursuant to this part.
(c) Access to sources of information. Each recipient shall permit access by the responsible Department official during normal business hours to such of its books, records, accounts, and other sources of information, and its facilities as may be pertinent to ascertain compliance with this part. Where any information required of a recipient is in the exclusive possession of any other institution or person and this institution or person shall fail or refuse to furnish this information, the recipient shall so certify in its report and shall set forth what efforts it has made to obtain the information.
(d) Information to beneficiaries and participants. Each recipient shall make available to participants, beneficiaries, and other interested persons such information regarding the provisions of this part and its applicability to the program under which the recipient receives Federal financial assistance, and make such information available to them in such manner, as the responsible Department official finds necessary to apprise such persons of the protections against discrimination assured them by the Act and this part.
§ 195.8 Conduct of investigations.
(a) Periodic compliance reviews. The responsible Department official or his designee(s) shall from time to time review the practices of recipients to determine whether they are complying with this part.
(b) Complaints. Any person who believes himself or any specific class of individuals to be subjected to discrimination prohibited by this part may by himself or by a representative file with the responsible Department official a written complaint. A complaint must be filed not later than 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination, unless the time for filing is extended by the responsible Department official.
(c) Investigations. The responsible Department official will make a prompt investigation whenever a compliance review, report, complaint, or any other information indicates a possible failure to comply with this part. The investigation should include, where appropriate, a review of the pertinent practices and policies of the recipient, the circumstances under which the possible noncompliance with this part occurred, and other factors relevant to a determination of whether the recipient has failed to comply with this part.
(d) Resolution of matters. (1) If an investigation pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section indicates a failure to comply with this part, the responsible Department official will so inform the recipient and the matter will be resolved by informal means whenever possible. If it has been determined that the matter cannot be resolved by informal means, action will be taken as provided in § 195.9.
(2) If an investigation does not warrant action pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the responsible Department official will so inform the recipient and the complainant, if any, in writing.
(e) Intimidatory or retaliatory acts prohibited. No recipient or other person shall intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by section 601 of the Act or this part, or because he has made a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this part. The identity of complainants shall not be disclosed except when necessary to carry out the purposes of this part including the conduct of any investigation, hearing, or judicial proceeding arising thereunder.
§ 195.9 Procedure for effecting compliance.
(a) General. If there appears to be a failure or threatened failure to comply with this part, and if the noncompliance or threatened noncompliance cannot be corrected by informal means, compliance with this part may be effected by the suspension or termination of or refusal to grant or to continue Federal financial assistance or by any other means authorized by law as determined by the responsible Department official. Such other means may include, but are not limited to (1) a reference to the Department of Justice with a recommendation that appropriate proceedings be brought to enforce any rights of the United States under any law of the United States (including other titles of the Act), or any assurance or other contractual undertaking, and (2) any applicable proceedings under State or local law.
(b) Noncompliance with § 195.6. If an applicant fails or refuses to furnish an assurance required under § 195.6 or otherwise fails or refuses to comply with a requirement imposed by or pursuant to that section Federal financial assistance may be refused in accordance with the procedures of paragraph (c) of this section. The component of the Department of Defense concerned shall not be required to provide assistance in such a case during the pendency of the administrative proceedings under such paragraph except that the component shall continue assistance during the pendency of such proceedings where such assistance is due and payable pursuant to an application therefor approved prior to the effective date of this part.
(c) Termination of or refusal to grant or to continue Federal financial assistance. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section no order suspending, terminating or refusing to grant or continue Federal financial assistance shall become effective until (1) the responsible Department official has advised the applicant or recipient of his failure to comply and has determined that compliance cannot be secured by voluntary means, (2) there has been an express finding, after opportunity for a hearing (as provided in § 195.10), of a failure by the applicant or recipient to comply with a requirement imposed by or pursuant to this part, (3) the action has been approved by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to § 195.11, and (4) the expiration of 30 days after the Secretary of Defense has filed with the committee of the House and the committee of the Senate having legislative jurisdiction over the program involved, a full written report of the circumstances and the grounds for such action. Any action to suspend or terminate or to refuse to grant or to continue Federal financial assistance shall be limited to the particular political entity, or part thereof, or other applicant or recipient as to whom such a finding has been made and shall be limited in its effect to the particular program, or part thereof, in which such noncompliance has been so found.
(d) Other means authorized by law. No action to affect compliance by any other means authorized by law shall be taken until (1) the responsible Department official has determined that compliance cannot be secured by voluntary means, (2) the action has been approved by the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower), (3) the recipient or other person has been notified of its failure to comply and of the action to be taken to effect compliance, and (4) the expiration of at least 10 days from the mailing of such notice to the recipient or other person. During this period of at least 10 days additional efforts shall be made to persuade the recipient or other person to comply with this part and to take such corrective action as may be appropriate.
§ 195.10 Hearings.
(a) Opportunity for hearing. Whenever an opportunity for a hearing is required by § 195.9, reasonable notice shall be given by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the affected applicant or recipient. This notice shall advise the applicant or recipient of the action proposed to be taken, the specific provision under which the proposed action against it is to be taken, and the matters of fact or law asserted as the basis for this action, and either (1) fix a date not less than 20 days after the date of such notice within which the applicant or recipient may request of the responsible Department official that the matter be scheduled for hearing or (2) advise the applicant or recipient that the matter in question has been set down for hearing at a stated place and time. The time and place so fixed shall be reasonable and shall be subject to change for cause. The complainant, if any, shall be advised of the time and place of hearing. An applicant or recipient may waive a hearing and submit written information and argument. The failure of an applicant or recipient to request a hearing under this paragraph or to appear at a hearing for which a date has been set shall be deemed to be a waiver of the right to a hearing under section 602 of the Act and § 195.11(c) and consent to the making of a decision on the basis of such information as is available.
(b) Time and place of hearing. Hearings shall be held at the offices of the responsible component of the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C., at a time fixed by the responsible Department official unless he determines that the convenience of the applicant or recipient or of the component requires that another place be selected. Hearings shall be held before the responsible Department official or, at his discretion, before a hearing examiner designated by him.
(c) Hearing examiner. The examiner shall be a field grade officer or civilian employee above the grade of GS-12 (or the equivalent) who shall be a person admitted to practice law before a Federal court or the highest court of a State.
(d) Right to counsel. In all proceedings under this section, the applicant or recipient and the responsible component of the Department shall have the right to be represented by counsel.
(e) Procedures. (1) The recipient shall receive an open hearing at which he or his counsel may examine any witnesses present. Both the responsible Department official and the applicant or recipient shall be entitled to introduce all relevant evidence on the issues as stated in the notice for hearing or as determined by the officer conducting the hearing at the outset of or during the hearing.
(2) Technical rules of evidence shall not apply to hearings conducted pursuant to this part, but rules or principles designed to assure production of the most credible evidence available and to subject testimony to test by cross-examination shall be applied where reasonably necessary by the officer conducting the hearing. The hearing officer may exclude irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious evidence. All documents and other evidence offered or taken for record shall be open to examination by the parties and opportunity shall be given to refute facts and arguments advanced on either side of the issues. A transcript shall be made of the oral evidence except to the extent the substance thereof is stipulated for the record. All decisions shall be based upon the hearing record and written findings shall be made.
(f) Consolidated or joint hearings. In cases in which the same or related facts are asserted to constitute noncompliance with this part with respect to two or more programs to which this part applies, or noncompliance with this part and the regulations of one or more other Federal departments or agencies issued under Title VI of the Act, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower), the Secretary of a Military Department, or other responsible Department official designated by the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower) after consultation with the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower) may, by agreement with such other departments or agencies where applicable, provide for the conduct of consolidated or joint hearings, and for the application to such hearings of appropriate procedures not inconsistent with this part. Final decisions in such cases, insofar as this part is concerned, shall be made in accordance with § 195.11.
§ 195.11 Decisions and notices.
(a) Decision by person other than the responsible department official. If the hearing is held by a hearing examiner such hearing examiner shall either make an initial decision, if so authorized, or certify the entire record including his recommended findings and proposed decision to the responsible Department official for a final decision, and a copy of such initial decision or certification shall be mailed to the applicant or recipient. Where the initial decision is made by the hearing examiner the applicant or recipient may within 30 days of the mailing of such notice of initial decision file with the responsible Department official his exceptions to the initial decision, with his reasons therefor. In the absence of exceptions, the responsible Department official may on his own motion within 45 days after the initial decision serve on the applicant or recipient a notice that he will review the decision. Upon the filing of such exceptions or of such notice of review the responsible Department official shall review the initial decision and issue his own decision thereon including the reasons therefor. In the absence of either exceptions or a notice of review the initial decision shall constitute the final decision of the responsible Department official.
(b) Decisions on record or review by the responsible department official. Whenever a record is certified to the responsible Department official for decision or he reviews the decision of a hearing examiner pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section or whenever the responsible Department official conducts the hearing, the applicant or recipient shall be given reasonable opportunity to file with him briefs or other written statements of its contentions, and a copy of the final decision of the responsible Department official shall be given in writing to the applicant or recipient and to the complainant, if any.
(c) Decisions on record where a hearing is waived. Whenever a hearing is waived pursuant to § 195.10(a), a decision shall be made by the responsible Department official on the record and a copy of such decision shall be given in writing to the applicant or recipient, and to the complainant, if any.
(d) Rulings required. Each decision of a hearing officer or responsible Department official shall set forth his ruling on each finding, conclusion, or exception presented, and shall identify the requirement or requirements imposed by or pursuant to this part with which it is found that the applicant or recipient has failed to comply.
(e) Approval by the Secretary of Defense. Any final decision of a responsible Department official which provides for the suspension or termination of, or the refusal to grant or continue Federal financial assistance, or the imposition of any other sanction available under this part or the Act, shall promptly be transmitted to the Secretary of Defense, who may approve such decision, may vacate it, or remit or mitigate any sanction imposed.
(f) Contents of orders. The final decision may provide for suspension or termination of, or refusal to grant or continue Federal financial assistance, in whole or in part, under the program involved, and may contain such terms, conditions, and other provisions as are consistent with and will effectuate the purposes of the Act and this part, including provisions designed to assure that no Federal financial assistance will thereafter be extended under such program to the applicant or recipient determined by such decision to be in default in its performance of an assurance given by it pursuant to this part, or to have otherwise failed to comply with this part, unless and until it corrects its noncompliance and satisfies the responsible Department official that it will fully comply with this part.
(g) Post-termination proceedings. (1) An applicant or recipient adversely affected by an order issued under paragraph (f) of this section shall be restored to full eligibility to receive Federal financial assistance if it satisfies the terms and conditions of that order for such eligibility or if it brings itself into compliance with this part and provides reasonable assurance that it will fully comply with this part.
(2) Any applicant or recipient adversely affected by an order entered pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section may at any time request the responsible Department official to restore fully its eligibility to receive Federal financial assistance. Any such request shall be supported by information showing that the applicant or recipient has met the requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of this section. If the responsible Department official determines that those requirements have been satisfied, he shall restore such eligibility.
(3) If the responsible Department official denies any such request, the applicant or recipient may submit a request for a hearing in writing, specifying why it believes such official to have been in error. It shall thereupon be given an expeditious hearing, with a decision on the record, in accordance with rules of procedure issued by the responsible Department official. The applicant or recipient will be restored to such eligibility if it proves at such a hearing that it satisfied the requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of this section. While proceedings under this subsection are pending, the sanctions imposed by the order issued under paragraph (f) of this section shall remain in effect.
§ 195.12 Judicial review.
Action taken pursuant to section 602 of the Act is subject to judicial review as provided in section 603 of the Act.
§ 195.13 Effect on other issuances.
All issuances heretofore issued by any officer of the Department of Defense or its components which impose requirements designed to prohibit any discrimination against individuals on the ground of race, color, or national origin under any program to which this part applies, and which authorize the suspension or termination of or refusal to grant or to continue Federal financial assistance to any applicant for or recipient of such assistance under such program for failure to comply with such requirements, are hereby superseded to the extent that such discrimination is prohibited by this part, except that nothing in this part shall be deemed to relieve any person of any obligation assumed or imposed under any such superseded regulation, order, instruction, or like direction prior to the effective date of this part. Nothing in this part, however, shall be deemed to supersede any of the following (including future amendments thereof):
(a) Executive Orders 10925 and 11114 and issuances thereunder,
(b) The “Standards for a Merit System of Personnel Administration,” issued jointly by the Secretaries of Defense, of Health, Education, and Welfare, and of Labor, 28 FR 734, or
(c) Executive Order 11063 and issuances thereunder, or any other issuances, insofar as such Order or issuances prohibit discrimination on the ground of race, color, or national origin in any program or situation to which this part is inapplicable, or prohibit discrimination on any other ground.
§ 195.14 Implementation.
The Secretary of each Military Department shall submit regulations implementing this part to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower).
Appendix A to Part 195—Programs to Which This Part Applies
1. The Army and Air National Guard (Title 32, United States Code).
2. Various programs involving loan or other disposition of surplus property (various general and specialized statutory provisions including: 40 United States Code 483, 484, 512; 49 United States Code 1101-1119; 10 United States Code 2541, 2542, 2543, 2572, 2662, 7308, 7541, 7542, 7545, 7546, 7547).
3. National Program for Promotion of Rifle Practice (10 United States Code 4307 and annual Department of Defense Appropriation Act).
4. National Defense Cadet Corps Program (10 United States Code 3540(b), 4651).
5. Office of Civil Defense assistance to programs of adult education in civil defense subjects (50 United States Code App. 2281 (e), (f)).
6. Office of Civil Defense radiological instruments grants (50 United States Code App. 2281(h)).
7. Office of Civil Defense program (with Public Health Service) for development of instructional materials on medical self-help (50 United States Code App. 2281 (e), (f)).
8. Office of Civil Defense university extension programs for civil defense instructor training (50 United States Code App. 2281 (e)).
9. Office of Civil Defense programs for survival supplies and equipment, survival training, emergency operating center construction, and personnel and administrative expenses (50 United States Code App. 2281(i), 2285).
10. Office of Civil Defense Shelter Provisioning Program (50 United States Code App. 2281(h)).
11. Office of Civil Defense assistance to students attending Office of Civil Defense schools (50 United States Code App. 2281(e)).
12. Office of Civil Defense loans of equipment or materials from OCD stockpiles for civil defense, including local disaster purposes (50 United States Code App. 2281).
13. Navy Science Cruiser Program (SecNav Instruction 5720.19A).
14. Civil Air Patrol (10 United States Code 9441).
15. Research grants made under the authority of Pub. L. 85-934 (42 United States Code 1892).
16. Contracts with nonprofit institutions of higher education or with nonprofit organizations whose primary purpose is the conduct of scientific research, wherein title to equipment purchased with funds under such contracts may be vested in such institutions or organizations under the authority of Pub. L. 85-934 (42 United States Code 1891).
17. Army Corps of Engineers participation in cooperative investigations and studies concerning erosion of shores of coastal and lake waters (33 United States Code 426).
18. Army Corps of Engineers assistance in the construction of works for the restoration and protection of shores and beaches (33 United States Code 426e-h).
19. Public park and recreational facilities at water resource development projects under the administrative jurisdiction of the Department of the Army (16 United States Code 460d and Federal Water Project Recreation Act, Pub. L. 89-72, 79 Stat. 218, July 9, 1965).
20. Payment to States of proceeds of lands acquired by the United States for flood control, navigation, and allied purposes (33 United States Code 701-c-3).
21. Grants of easements without consideration, or at a nominal or reduced consideration, on lands under the control of the Department of the Army at water resource development projects (33 United States Code 558c and 702d-1; 10 United States Code 2668 and 2669); 43 United States Code 961; 40 United States Code 319).
22. Army Corps of Engineers assistance in the construction of small boat harbor projects (33 United States Code 540 and 577, and 47 Stat. 42, Feb. 10, 1932).
23. Emergency bank protection works constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers for protection of highways, bridge approaches, and public works (33 United States Code 701r).
24. Assistance to States and local interests in the development of water supplies for municipal and industrial purposes in connection with Army Corps of Engineers reservoir projects (Water Supply Act of 1958, 43 United States Code 390b).
25. Army Corps of Engineers contracts for remedial works under authority of section 111 of Act of July 3, 1958 (33 United States Code 633).
PART 196—NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Subpart A—Introduction
§ 196.100 Purpose and effective date.
The purpose of these Title IX regulations is to effectuate Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (except sections 904 and 906 of those Amendments) (20 U.S.C. 1681, 1682, 1683, 1685, 1686, 1687, 1688), which is designed to eliminate (with certain exceptions) discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, whether or not such program or activity is offered or sponsored by an educational institution as defined in these Title IX regulations. The effective date of these Title IX regulations shall be September 29, 2000.
§ 196.105 Definitions.
As used in these Title IX regulations, the term:
Administratively separate unit means a school, department, or college of an educational institution (other than a local educational agency) admission to which is independent of admission to any other component of such institution.
Admission means selection for part-time, full-time, special, associate, transfer, exchange, or any other enrollment, membership, or matriculation in or at an education program or activity operated by a recipient.
Applicant means one who submits an application, request, or plan required to be approved by an official of the Federal agency that awards Federal financial assistance, or by a recipient, as a condition to becoming a recipient.
Designated agency official means Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Management Policy).
Educational institution means a local educational agency (LEA) as defined by 20 U.S.C. 8801(18), a preschool, a private elementary or secondary school, or an applicant or recipient that is an institution of graduate higher education, an institution of undergraduate higher education, an institution of professional education, or an institution of vocational education, as defined in this section.
Federal financial assistance means any of the following, when authorized or extended under a law administered by the Federal agency that awards such assistance:
(1) A grant or loan of Federal financial assistance, including funds made available for:
(i) The acquisition, construction, renovation, restoration, or repair of a building or facility or any portion thereof; and
(ii) Scholarships, loans, grants, wages, or other funds extended to any entity for payment to or on behalf of students admitted to that entity, or extended directly to such students for payment to that entity.
(2) A grant of Federal real or personal property or any interest therein, including surplus property, and the proceeds of the sale or transfer of such property, if the Federal share of the fair market value of the property is not, upon such sale or transfer, properly accounted for to the Federal Government.
(3) Provision of the services of Federal personnel.
(4) Sale or lease of Federal property or any interest therein at nominal consideration, or at consideration reduced for the purpose of assisting the recipient or in recognition of public interest to be served thereby, or permission to use Federal property or any interest therein without consideration.
(5) Any other contract, agreement, or arrangement that has as one of its purposes the provision of assistance to any education program or activity, except a contract of insurance or guaranty.
Institution of graduate higher education means an institution that:
(1) Offers academic study beyond the bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree, whether or not leading to a certificate of any higher degree in the liberal arts and sciences;
(2) Awards any degree in a professional field beyond the first professional degree (regardless of whether the first professional degree in such field is awarded by an institution of undergraduate higher education or professional education); or
(3) Awards no degree and offers no further academic study, but operates ordinarily for the purpose of facilitating research by persons who have received the highest graduate degree in any field of study.
Institution of professional education means an institution (except any institution of undergraduate higher education) that offers a program of academic study that leads to a first professional degree in a field for which there is a national specialized accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary of Education.
Institution of undergraduate higher education means:
(1) An institution offering at least two but less than four years of college-level study beyond the high school level, leading to a diploma or an associate degree, or wholly or principally creditable toward a baccalaureate degree; or
(2) An institution offering academic study leading to a baccalaureate degree; or
(3) An agency or body that certifies credentials or offers degrees, but that may or may not offer academic study.
Institution of vocational education means a school or institution (except an institution of professional or graduate or undergraduate higher education) that has as its primary purpose preparation of students to pursue a technical, skilled, or semiskilled occupation or trade, or to pursue study in a technical field, whether or not the school or institution offers certificates, diplomas, or degrees and whether or not it offers full-time study.
Recipient means any State or political subdivision thereof, or any instrumentality of a State or political subdivision thereof, any public or private agency, institution, or organization, or other entity, or any person, to whom Federal financial assistance is extended directly or through another recipient and that operates an education program or activity that receives such assistance, including any subunit, successor, assignee, or transferee thereof.
Student means a person who has gained admission.
Title IX means Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Public Law 92-318, 86 Stat. 235, 373 (codified as amended at 20 U.S.C. 1681-1688) (except sections 904 and 906 thereof), as amended by section 3 of Public Law 93-568, 88 Stat. 1855, by section 412 of the Education Amendments of 1976, Public Law 94-482, 90 Stat. 2234, and by Section 3 of Public Law 100-259, 102 Stat. 28, 28-29 (20 U.S.C. 1681, 1682, 1683, 1685, 1686, 1687, 1688).
Title IX regulations means the provisions set forth at §§ 196.100 through 196.605.
Transition plan means a plan subject to the approval of the Secretary of Education pursuant to section 901(a)(2) of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. 1681(a)(2), under which an educational institution operates in making the transition from being an educational institution that admits only students of one sex to being one that admits students of both sexes without discrimination.
§ 196.110 Remedial and affirmative action and self-evaluation.
(a) Remedial action. If the designated agency official finds that a recipient has discriminated against persons on the basis of sex in an education program or activity, such recipient shall take such remedial action as the designated agency official deems necessary to overcome the effects of such discrimination.
(b) Affirmative action. In the absence of a finding of discrimination on the basis of sex in an education program or activity, a recipient may take affirmative action consistent with law to overcome the effects of conditions that resulted in limited participation therein by persons of a particular sex. Nothing in these Title IX regulations shall be interpreted to alter any affirmative action obligations that a recipient may have under Executive Order 11246, 3 CFR, 1964-1965 Comp., p. 339; as amended by Executive Order 11375, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 684; as amended by Executive Order 11478, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 803; as amended by Executive Order 12086, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 230; as amended by Executive Order 12107, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 264.
(c) Self-evaluation. Each recipient education institution shall, within one year of September 29, 2000:
(1) Evaluate, in terms of the requirements of these Title IX regulations, its current policies and practices and the effects thereof concerning admission of students, treatment of students, and employment of both academic and non-academic personnel working in connection with the recipient’s education program or activity;
(2) Modify any of these policies and practices that do not or may not meet the requirements of these Title IX regulations; and
(3) Take appropriate remedial steps to eliminate the effects of any discrimination that resulted or may have resulted from adherence to these policies and practices.
(d) Availability of self-evaluation and related materials. Recipients shall maintain on file for at least three years following completion of the evaluation required under paragraph (c) of this section, and shall provide to the designated agency official upon request, a description of any modifications made pursuant to paragraph (c)(2) of this section and of any remedial steps taken pursuant to paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
§ 196.115 Assurance required.
(a) General. Either at the application stage or the award stage, Federal agencies must ensure that applications for Federal financial assistance or awards of Federal financial assistance contain, be accompanied by, or be covered by a specifically identified assurance from the applicant or recipient, satisfactory to the designated agency official, that each education program or activity operated by the applicant or recipient and to which these Title IX regulations apply will be operated in compliance with these Title IX regulations. An assurance of compliance with these Title IX regulations shall not be satisfactory to the designated agency official if the applicant or recipient to whom such assurance applies fails to commit itself to take whatever remedial action is necessary in accordance with § 196.110(a) to eliminate existing discrimination on the basis of sex or to eliminate the effects of past discrimination whether occurring prior to or subsequent to the submission to the designated agency official of such assurance.
(b) Duration of obligation. (1) In the case of Federal financial assistance extended to provide real property or structures thereon, such assurance shall obligate the recipient or, in the case of a subsequent transfer, the transferee, for the period during which the real property or structures are used to provide an education program or activity.
(2) In the case of Federal financial assistance extended to provide personal property, such assurance shall obligate the recipient for the period during which it retains ownership or possession of the property.
(3) In all other cases such assurance shall obligate the recipient for the period during which Federal financial assistance is extended.
(c) Form. (1) The assurances required by paragraph (a) of this section, which may be included as part of a document that addresses other assurances or obligations, shall include that the applicant or recipient will comply with all applicable Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. These include but are not limited to: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1681-1683, 1685-1688).
(2) The designated agency official will specify the extent to which such assurances will be required of the applicant’s or recipient’s subgrantees, contractors, subcontractors, transferees, or successors in interest.
§ 196.120 Transfers of property.
If a recipient sells or otherwise transfers property financed in whole or in part with Federal financial assistance to a transferee that operates any education program or activity, and the Federal share of the fair market value of the property is not upon such sale or transfer properly accounted for to the Federal Government, both the transferor and the transferee shall be deemed to be recipients, subject to the provisions of §§ 196.205 through 196.235(a).
§ 196.125 Effect of other requirements.
(a) Effect of other Federal provisions. The obligations imposed by these Title IX regulations are independent of, and do not alter, obligations not to discriminate on the basis of sex imposed by Executive Order 11246, 3 CFR, 1964-1965 Comp., p. 339; as amended by Executive Order 11375, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 684; as amended by Executive Order 11478, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 803; as amended by Executive Order 12087, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 230; as amended by Executive Order 12107, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 264; sections 704 and 855 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295m, 298b-2); Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.); the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (29 U.S.C. 206); and any other Act of Congress or Federal regulation.
(b) Effect of State or local law or other requirements. The obligation to comply with these Title IX regulations is not obviated or alleviated by any State or local law or other requirement that would render any applicant or student ineligible, or limit the eligibility of any applicant or student, on the basis of sex, to practice any occupation or profession.
(c) Effect of rules or regulations of private organizations. The obligation to comply with these Title IX regulations is not obviated or alleviated by any rule or regulation of any organization, club, athletic or other league, or association that would render any applicant or student ineligible to participate or limit the eligibility or participation of any applicant or student, on the basis of sex, in any education program or activity operated by a recipient and that receives Federal financial assistance.
§ 196.130 Effect of employment opportunities.
The obligation to comply with these Title IX regulations is not obviated or alleviated because employment opportunities in any occupation or profession are or may be more limited for members of one sex than for members of the other sex.
§ 196.135 Designation of responsible employee and adoption of grievance procedures.
(a) Designation of responsible employee. Each recipient shall designate at least one employee to coordinate its efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under these Title IX regulations, including any investigation of any complaint communicated to such recipient alleging its noncompliance with these Title IX regulations or alleging any actions that would be prohibited by these Title IX regulations. The recipient shall notify all its students and employees of the name, office address, and telephone number of the employee or employees appointed pursuant to this paragraph.
(b) Complaint procedure of recipient. A recipient shall adopt and publish grievance procedures providing for prompt and equitable resolution of student and employee complaints alleging any action that would be prohibited by these Title IX regulations.
§ 196.140 Dissemination of policy.
(a) Notification of policy. (1) Each recipient shall implement specific and continuing steps to notify applicants for admission and employment, students and parents of elementary and secondary school students, employees, sources of referral of applicants for admission and employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with the recipient, that it does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs or activities that it operates, and that it is required by Title IX and these Title IX regulations not to discriminate in such a manner. Such notification shall contain such information, and be made in such manner, as the designated agency official finds necessary to apprise such persons of the protections against discrimination assured them by Title IX and these Title IX regulations, but shall state at least that the requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to employment therein, and to admission thereto unless §§ 196.300 through 196.310 do not apply to the recipient, and that inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and these Title IX regulations to such recipient may be referred to the employee designated pursuant to § 196.135, or to the designated agency official.
(2) Each recipient shall make the initial notification required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section within 90 days of September 29, 2000 or of the date these Title IX regulations first apply to such recipient, whichever comes later, which notification shall include publication in:
(i) Newspapers and magazines operated by such recipient or by student, alumnae, or alumni groups for or in connection with such recipient; and
(ii) Memoranda or other written communications distributed to every student and employee of such recipient.
(b) Publications. (1) Each recipient shall prominently include a statement of the policy described in paragraph (a) of this section in each announcement, bulletin, catalog, or application form that it makes available to any person of a type, described in paragraph (a) of this section, or which is otherwise used in connection with the recruitment of students or employees.
(2) A recipient shall not use or distribute a publication of the type described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section that suggests, by text or illustration, that such recipient treats applicants, students, or employees differently on the basis of sex except as such treatment is permitted by these Title IX regulations.
(c) Distribution. Each recipient shall distribute without discrimination on the basis of sex each publication described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, and shall apprise each of its admission and employment recruitment representatives of the policy of nondiscrimination described in paragraph (a) of this section, and shall require such representatives to adhere to such policy.
Subpart B—Coverage
§ 196.200 Application.
Except as provided in §§ 196.205 through 196.235(a), these Title IX regulations apply to every recipient and to each education program or activity operated by such recipient that receives Federal financial assistance.
§ 196.205 Educational institutions and other entities controlled by religious organizations.
(a) Exemption. These Title IX regulations do not apply to any operation of an educational institution or other entity that is controlled by a religious organization to the extent that application of these Title IX regulations would not be consistent with the religious tenets of such organization.
(b) Exemption claims. An educational institution or other entity that wishes to claim the exemption set forth in paragraph (a) of this section shall do so by submitting in writing to the designated agency official a statement by the highest-ranking official of the institution, identifying the provisions of these Title IX regulations that conflict with a specific tenet of the religious organization.
§ 196.210 Military and merchant marine educational institutions.
These Title IX regulations do not apply to an educational institution whose primary purpose is the training of individuals for a military service of the United States or for the merchant marine.
§ 196.215 Membership practices of certain organizations.
(a) Social fraternities and sororities. These Title IX regulations do not apply to the membership practices of social fraternities and sororities that are exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, 26 U.S.C. 501(a), the active membership of which consists primarily of students in attendance at institutions of higher education.
(b) YMCA, YWCA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Camp Fire Girls. These Title IX regulations do not apply to the membership practices of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, and Camp Fire Girls.
(c) Voluntary youth service organizations. These Title IX regulations do not apply to the membership practices of a voluntary youth service organization that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, 26 U.S.C. 501(a), and the membership of which has been traditionally limited to members of one sex and principally to persons of less than nineteen years of age.
§ 196.220 Admissions.
(a) Admissions to educational institutions prior to June 24, 1973, are not covered by these Title IX regulations.
(b) Administratively separate units. For the purposes only of this section, §§ 196.225 and 196.230, and §§ 196.300 through 196.310, each administratively separate unit shall be deemed to be an educational institution.
(c) Application of §§ 196.300 through 196.310. Except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, §§ 196.300 through 196.310 apply to each recipient. A recipient to which §§ 196.300 through 196.310 apply shall not discriminate on the basis of sex in admission or recruitment in violation of §§ 196.300 through 196.310.
(d) Educational institutions. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section as to recipients that are educational institutions, §§ 196.300 through 196.310 apply only to institutions of vocational education, professional education, graduate higher education, and public institutions of undergraduate higher education.
(e) Public institutions of undergraduate higher education. §§ 196.300 through 196.310 do not apply to any public institution of undergraduate higher education that traditionally and continually from its establishment has had a policy of admitting students of only one sex.
§ 196.225 Educational institutions eligible to submit transition plans.
(a) Application. This section applies to each educational institution to which §§ 196.300 through 196.310 apply that:
(1) Admitted students of only one sex as regular students as of June 23, 1972; or
(2) Admitted students of only one sex as regular students as of June 23, 1965, but thereafter admitted, as regular students, students of the sex not admitted prior to June 23, 1965.
(b) Provision for transition plans. An educational institution to which this section applies shall not discriminate on the basis of sex in admission or recruitment in violation of §§ 196.300 through 196.310.
§ 196.230 Transition plans.
(a) Submission of plans. An institution to which § 196.225 applies and that is composed of more than one administratively separate unit may submit either a single transition plan applicable to all such units, or a separate transition plan applicable to each such unit.
(b) Content of plans. In order to be approved by the Secretary of Education, a transition plan shall:
(1) State the name, address, and Federal Interagency Committee on Education Code of the educational institution submitting such plan, the administratively separate units to which the plan is applicable, and the name, address, and telephone number of the person to whom questions concerning the plan may be addressed. The person who submits the plan shall be the chief administrator or president of the institution, or another individual legally authorized to bind the institution to all actions set forth in the plan.
(2) State whether the educational institution or administratively separate unit admits students of both sexes as regular students and, if so, when it began to do so.
(3) Identify and describe with respect to the educational institution or administratively separate unit any obstacles to admitting students without discrimination on the basis of sex.
(4) Describe in detail the steps necessary to eliminate as soon as practicable each obstacle so identified and indicate the schedule for taking these steps and the individual directly responsible for their implementation.
(5) Include estimates of the number of students, by sex, expected to apply for, be admitted to, and enter each class during the period covered by the plan.
(c) Nondiscrimination. No policy or practice of a recipient to which § 196.225 applies shall result in treatment of applicants to or students of such recipient in violation of §§ 196.300 through 196.310 unless such treatment is necessitated by an obstacle identified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section and a schedule for eliminating that obstacle has been provided as required by paragraph (b)(4) of this section.
(d) Effects of past exclusion. To overcome the effects of past exclusion of students on the basis of sex, each educational institution to which § 196.225 applies shall include in its transition plan, and shall implement, specific steps designed to encourage individuals of the previously excluded sex to apply for admission to such institution. Such steps shall include instituting recruitment programs that emphasize the institution’s commitment to enrolling students of the sex previously excluded.
§ 196.235 Statutory amendments.
(a) This section, which applies to all provisions of these Title IX regulations, addresses statutory amendments to Title IX.
(b) These Title IX regulations shall not apply to or preclude:
(1) Any program or activity of the American Legion undertaken in connection with the organization or operation of any Boys State conference, Boys Nation conference, Girls State conference, or Girls Nation conference;
(2) Any program or activity of a secondary school or educational institution specifically for:
(i) The promotion of any Boys State conference, Boys Nation conference, Girls State conference, or Girls Nation conference; or
(ii) The selection of students to attend any such conference;
(3) Father-son or mother-daughter activities at an educational institution or in an education program or activity, but if such activities are provided for students of one sex, opportunities for reasonably comparable activities shall be provided to students of the other sex;
(4) Any scholarship or other financial assistance awarded by an institution of higher education to an individual because such individual has received such award in a single-sex pageant based upon a combination of factors related to the individual’s personal appearance, poise, and talent. The pageant, however, must comply with other nondiscrimination provisions of Federal law.
(c) Program or activity or program means:
(1) All of the operations of any entity described in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (iv) of this section, any part of which is extended Federal financial assistance:
(i)(A) A department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of a State or of a local government; or
(B) The entity of such State or local government that distributes such assistance and each such department or agency (and each other State or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended, in the case of assistance to a State or local government;
(ii)(A) A college, university, or other postsecondary institution, or a public system of higher education; or
(B) A local educational agency (as defined in section 8801 of title 20), system of vocational education, or other school system;
(iii)(A) An entire corporation, partnership, or other private organization, or an entire sole proprietorship—
(1) If assistance is extended to such corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole proprietorship as a whole; or
(2) Which is principally engaged in the business of providing education, health care, housing, social services, or parks and recreation; or
(B) The entire plant or other comparable, geographically separate facility to which Federal financial assistance is extended, in the case of any other corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole proprietorship; or
(iv) Any other entity that is established by two or more of the entities described in paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section.
(2)(i) Program or activity does not include any operation of an entity that is controlled by a religious organization if the application of 20 U.S.C. 1681 to such operation would not be consistent with the religious tenets of such organization.
(ii) For example, all of the operations of a college, university, or other postsecondary institution, including but not limited to traditional educational operations, faculty and student housing, campus shuttle bus service, campus restaurants, the bookstore, and other commercial activities are part of a “program or activity” subject to these Title IX regulations if the college, university, or other institution receives Federal financial assistance.
(d)(1) Nothing in these Title IX regulations shall be construed to require or prohibit any person, or public or private entity, to provide or pay for any benefit or service, including the use of facilities, related to an abortion. Medical procedures, benefits, services, and the use of facilities, necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman or to address complications related to an abortion are not subject to this section.
(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit a penalty to be imposed on any person or individual because such person or individual is seeking or has received any benefit or service related to a legal abortion. Accordingly, subject to paragraph (d)(1) of this section, no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any academic, extracurricular, research, occupational training, employment, or other educational program or activity operated by a recipient that receives Federal financial assistance because such individual has sought or received, or is seeking, a legal abortion, or any benefit or service related to a legal abortion.
Subpart C—Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Admission and Recruitment Prohibited
§ 196.300 Admission.
(a) General. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be denied admission, or be subjected to discrimination in admission, by any recipient to which §§ 196.300 through §§ 196.310 apply, except as provided in §§ 196.225 and §§ 196.230.
(b) Specific prohibitions. (1) In determining whether a person satisfies any policy or criterion for admission, or in making any offer of admission, a recipient to which §§ 196.300 through 196.310 apply shall not:
(i) Give preference to one person over another on the basis of sex, by ranking applicants separately on such basis, or otherwise;
(ii) Apply numerical limitations upon the number or proportion of persons of either sex who may be admitted; or
(iii) Otherwise treat one individual differently from another on the basis of sex.
(2) A recipient shall not administer or operate any test or other criterion for admission that has a disproportionately adverse effect on persons on the basis of sex unless the use of such test or criterion is shown to predict validly success in the education program or activity in question and alternative tests or criteria that do not have such a disproportionately adverse effect are shown to be unavailable.
(c) Prohibitions relating to marital or parental status. In determining whether a person satisfies any policy or criterion for admission, or in making any offer of admission, a recipient to which §§ 196.300 through 196.310 apply:
(1) Shall not apply any rule concerning the actual or potential parental, family, or marital status of a student or applicant that treats persons differently on the basis of sex;
(2) Shall not discriminate against or exclude any person on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom, or establish or follow any rule or practice that so discriminates or excludes;
(3) Subject to § 196.235(d), shall treat disabilities related to pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom in the same manner and under the same policies as any other temporary disability or physical condition; and
(4) Shall not make pre-admission inquiry as to the marital status of an applicant for admission, including whether such applicant is “Miss” or “Mrs.” A recipient may make pre-admission inquiry as to the sex of an applicant for admission, but only if such inquiry is made equally of such applicants of both sexes and if the results of such inquiry are not used in connection with discrimination prohibited by these Title IX regulations.
§ 196.305 Preference in admission.
A recipient to which §§ 196.300 through 196.310 apply shall not give preference to applicants for admission, on the basis of attendance at any educational institution or other school or entity that admits as students only or predominantly members of one sex, if the giving of such preference has the effect of discriminating on the basis of sex in violation of §§ 196.300 through 196.310.
§ 196.310 Recruitment.
(a) Nondiscriminatory recruitment. A recipient to which §§ 196.300 through 196.310 apply shall not discriminate on the basis of sex in the recruitment and admission of students. A recipient may be required to undertake additional recruitment efforts for one sex as remedial action pursuant to § 196.110(a), and may choose to undertake such efforts as affirmative action pursuant to § 196.110(b).
(b) Recruitment at certain institutions. A recipient to which §§ 196.300 through 196.310 apply shall not recruit primarily or exclusively at educational institutions, schools, or entities that admit as students only or predominantly members of one sex, if such actions have the effect of discriminating on the basis of sex in violation of §§ 196.300 through 196.310.
Subpart D—Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Prohibited
§ 196.400 Education programs or activities.
(a) General. Except as provided elsewhere in these Title IX regulations, no person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any academic, extracurricular, research, occupational training, or other education program or activity operated by a recipient that receives Federal financial assistance. Sections 196.400 through 196.455 do not apply to actions of a recipient in connection with admission of its students to an education program or activity of a recipient to which §§ 196.300 through 196.310 do not apply, or an entity, not a recipient, to which §§ 196.300 through 196.310 would not apply if the entity were a recipient.
(b) Specific prohibitions. Except as provided in §§ 196.400 through 196.455, in providing any aid, benefit, or service to a student, a recipient shall not, on the basis of sex:
(1) Treat one person differently from another in determining whether such person satisfies any requirement or condition for the provision of such aid, benefit, or service;
(2) Provide different aid, benefits, or services or provide aid, benefits, or services in a different manner;
(3) Deny any person any such aid, benefit, or service;
(4) Subject any person to separate or different rules of behavior, sanctions, or other treatment;
(5) Apply any rule concerning the domicile or residence of a student or applicant, including eligibility for in-state fees and tuition;
(6) Aid or perpetuate discrimination against any person by providing significant assistance to any agency, organization, or person that discriminates on the basis of sex in providing any aid, benefit, or service to students or employees;
(7) Otherwise limit any person in the enjoyment of any right, privilege, advantage, or opportunity.
(c) Assistance administered by a recipient educational institution to study at a foreign institution. A recipient educational institution may administer or assist in the administration of scholarships, fellowships, or other awards established by foreign or domestic wills, trusts, or similar legal instruments, or by acts of foreign governments and restricted to members of one sex, that are designed to provide opportunities to study abroad, and that are awarded to students who are already matriculating at or who are graduates of the recipient institution; Provided, that a recipient educational institution that administers or assists in the administration of such scholarships, fellowships, or other awards that are restricted to members of one sex provides, or otherwise makes available, reasonable opportunities for similar studies for members of the other sex. Such opportunities may be derived from either domestic or foreign sources.
(d) Aids, benefits or services not provided by recipient. (1) This paragraph (d) applies to any recipient that requires participation by any applicant, student, or employee in any education program or activity not operated wholly by such recipient, or that facilitates, permits, or considers such participation as part of or equivalent to an education program or activity operated by such recipient, including participation in educational consortia and cooperative employment and student-teaching assignments.
(2) Such recipient:
(i) Shall develop and implement a procedure designed to assure itself that the operator or sponsor of such other education program or activity takes no action affecting any applicant, student, or employee of such recipient that these Title IX regulations would prohibit such recipient from taking; and
(ii) Shall not facilitate, require, permit, or consider such participation if such action occurs.
§ 196.405 Housing.
(a) Generally. A recipient shall not, on the basis of sex, apply different rules or regulations, impose different fees or requirements, or offer different services or benefits related to housing, except as provided in this section (including housing provided only to married students).
(b) Housing provided by recipient. (1) A recipient may provide separate housing on the basis of sex.
(2) Housing provided by a recipient to students of one sex, when compared to that provided to students of the other sex, shall be as a whole:
(i) Proportionate in quantity to the number of students of that sex applying for such housing; and
(ii) Comparable in quality and cost to the student.
(c) Other housing. (1) A recipient shall not, on the basis of sex, administer different policies or practices concerning occupancy by its students of housing other than that provided by such recipient.
(2)(i) A recipient which, through solicitation, listing, approval of housing, or otherwise, assists any agency, organization, or person in making housing available to any of its students, shall take such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure itself that such housing as is provided to students of one sex, when compared to that provided to students of the other sex, is as a whole:
(A) Proportionate in quantity; and
(B) Comparable in quality and cost to the student.
(ii) A recipient may render such assistance to any agency, organization, or person that provides all or part of such housing to students of only one sex.
§ 196.410 Comparable facilities.
A recipient may provide separate toilet, locker room, and shower facilities on the basis of sex, but such facilities provided for students of one sex shall be comparable to such facilities provided for students of the other sex.
§ 196.415 Access to course offerings.
(a) A recipient shall not provide any course or otherwise carry out any of its education program or activity separately on the basis of sex, or require or refuse participation therein by any of its students on such basis, including health, physical education, industrial, business, vocational, technical, home economics, music, and adult education courses.
(b)(1) With respect to classes and activities in physical education at the elementary school level, the recipient shall comply fully with this section as expeditiously as possible but in no event later than one year from September 29, 2000. With respect to physical education classes and activities at the secondary and post-secondary levels, the recipient shall comply fully with this section as expeditiously as possible but in no event later than three years from September 29, 2000.
(2) This section does not prohibit grouping of students in physical education classes and activities by ability as assessed by objective standards of individual performance developed and applied without regard to sex.
(3) This section does not prohibit separation of students by sex within physical education classes or activities during participation in wrestling, boxing, rugby, ice hockey, football, basketball, and other sports the purpose or major activity of which involves bodily contact.
(4) Where use of a single standard of measuring skill or progress in a physical education class has an adverse effect on members of one sex, the recipient shall use appropriate standards that do not have such effect.
(5) Portions of classes in elementary and secondary schools, or portions of education programs or activities, that deal exclusively with human sexuality may be conducted in separate sessions for boys and girls.
(6) Recipients may make requirements based on vocal range or quality that may result in a chorus or choruses of one or predominantly one sex.
§ 196.420 Access to schools operated by LEAs.
A recipient that is a local educational agency shall not, on the basis of sex, exclude any person from admission to:
(a) Any institution of vocational education operated by such recipient; or
(b) Any other school or educational unit operated by such recipient, unless such recipient otherwise makes available to such person, pursuant to the same policies and criteria of admission, courses, services, and facilities comparable to each course, service, and facility offered in or through such schools.
§ 196.425 Counseling and use of appraisal and counseling materials.
(a) Counseling. A recipient shall not discriminate against any person on the basis of sex in the counseling or guidance of students or applicants for admission.
(b) Use of appraisal and counseling materials. A recipient that uses testing or other materials for appraising or counseling students shall not use different materials for students on the basis of their sex or use materials that permit or require different treatment of students on such basis unless such different materials cover the same occupations and interest areas and the use of such different materials is shown to be essential to eliminate sex bias. Recipients shall develop and use internal procedures for ensuring that such materials do not discriminate on the basis of sex. Where the use of a counseling test or other instrument results in a substantially disproportionate number of members of one sex in any particular course of study or classification, the recipient shall take such action as is necessary to assure itself that such disproportion is not the result of discrimination in the instrument or its application.
(c) Disproportion in classes. Where a recipient finds that a particular class contains a substantially disproportionate number of individuals of one sex, the recipient shall take such action as is necessary to assure itself that such disproportion is not the result of discrimination on the basis of sex in counseling or appraisal materials or by counselors.
§ 196.430 Financial assistance.
(a) General. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, in providing financial assistance to any of its students, a recipient shall not:
(1) On the basis of sex, provide different amounts or types of such assistance, limit eligibility for such assistance that is of any particular type or source, apply different criteria, or otherwise discriminate;
(2) Through solicitation, listing, approval, provision of facilities, or other services, assist any foundation, trust, agency, organization, or person that provides assistance to any of such recipient’s students in a manner that discriminates on the basis of sex; or
(3) Apply any rule or assist in application of any rule concerning eligibility for such assistance that treats persons of one sex differently from persons of the other sex with regard to marital or parental status.
(b) Financial aid established by certain legal instruments. (1) A recipient may administer or assist in the administration of scholarships, fellowships, or other forms of financial assistance established pursuant to domestic or foreign wills, trusts, bequests, or similar legal instruments or by acts of a foreign government that require that awards be made to members of a particular sex specified therein; Provided, that the overall effect of the award of such sex-restricted scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of financial assistance does not discriminate on the basis of sex.
(2) To ensure nondiscriminatory awards of assistance as required in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, recipients shall develop and use procedures under which:
(i) Students are selected for award of financial assistance on the basis of nondiscriminatory criteria and not on the basis of availability of funds restricted to members of a particular sex;
(ii) An appropriate sex-restricted scholarship, fellowship, or other form of financial assistance is allocated to each student selected under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section; and
(iii) No student is denied the award for which he or she was selected under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section because of the absence of a scholarship, fellowship, or other form of financial assistance designated for a member of that student’s sex.
(c) Athletic scholarships. (1) To the extent that a recipient awards athletic scholarships or grants-in-aid, it must provide reasonable opportunities for such awards for members of each sex in proportion to the number of students of each sex participating in interscholastic or intercollegiate athletics.
(2) A recipient may provide separate athletic scholarships or grants-in-aid for members of each sex as part of separate athletic teams for members of each sex to the extent consistent with this paragraph (c) and § 196.450.
§ 196.435 Employment assistance to students.
(a) Assistance by recipient in making available outside employment. A recipient that assists any agency, organization, or person in making employment available to any of its students:
(1) Shall assure itself that such employment is made available without discrimination on the basis of sex; and
(2) Shall not render such services to any agency, organization, or person that discriminates on the basis of sex in its employment practices.
(b) Employment of students by recipients. A recipient that employs any of its students shall not do so in a manner that violates §§ 196.500 through 196.550.
§ 196.440 Health and insurance benefits and services.
Subject to § 196.235(d), in providing a medical, hospital, accident, or life insurance benefit, service, policy, or plan to any of its students, a recipient shall not discriminate on the basis of sex, or provide such benefit, service, policy, or plan in a manner that would violate §§ 196.500 through 196.550 if it were provided to employees of the recipient. This section shall not prohibit a recipient from providing any benefit or service that may be used by a different proportion of students of one sex than of the other, including family planning services. However, any recipient that provides full coverage health service shall provide gynecological care.
§ 196.445 Marital or parental status.
(a) Status generally. A recipient shall not apply any rule concerning a student’s actual or potential parental, family, or marital status that treats students differently on the basis of sex.
(b) Pregnancy and related conditions. (1) A recipient shall not discriminate against any student, or exclude any student from its education program or activity, including any class or extracurricular activity, on the basis of such student’s pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom, unless the student requests voluntarily to participate in a separate portion of the program or activity of the recipient.
(2) A recipient may require such a student to obtain the certification of a physician that the student is physically and emotionally able to continue participation as long as such a certification is required of all students for other physical or emotional conditions requiring the attention of a physician.
(3) A recipient that operates a portion of its education program or activity separately for pregnant students, admittance to which is completely voluntary on the part of the student as provided in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, shall ensure that the separate portion is comparable to that offered to non-pregnant students.
(4) Subject to § 196.235(d), a recipient shall treat pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy and recovery therefrom in the same manner and under the same policies as any other temporary disability with respect to any medical or hospital benefit, service, plan, or policy that such recipient administers, operates, offers, or participates in with respect to students admitted to the recipient’s educational program or activity.
(5) In the case of a recipient that does not maintain a leave policy for its students, or in the case of a student who does not otherwise qualify for leave under such a policy, a recipient shall treat pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, and recovery therefrom as a justification for a leave of absence for as long a period of time as is deemed medically necessary by the student’s physician, at the conclusion of which the student shall be reinstated to the status that she held when the leave began.
§ 196.450 Athletics.
(a) General. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, be treated differently from another person, or otherwise be discriminated against in any interscholastic, intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics offered by a recipient, and no recipient shall provide any such athletics separately on such basis.
(b) Separate teams. Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, a recipient may operate or sponsor separate teams for members of each sex where selection for such teams is based upon competitive skill or the activity involved is a contact sport. However, where a recipient operates or sponsors a team in a particular sport for members of one sex but operates or sponsors no such team for members of the other sex, and athletic opportunities for members of that sex have previously been limited, members of the excluded sex must be allowed to try out for the team offered unless the sport involved is a contact sport. For the purposes of these Title IX regulations, contact sports include boxing, wrestling, rugby, ice hockey, football, basketball, and other sports the purpose or major activity of which involves bodily contact.
(c) Equal opportunity. (1) A recipient that operates or sponsors interscholastic, intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics shall provide equal athletic opportunity for members of both sexes. In determining whether equal opportunities are available, the designated agency official will consider, among other factors:
(i) Whether the selection of sports and levels of competition effectively accommodate the interests and abilities of members of both sexes;
(ii) The provision of equipment and supplies;
(iii) Scheduling of games and practice time;
(iv) Travel and per diem allowance;
(v) Opportunity to receive coaching and academic tutoring;
(vi) Assignment and compensation of coaches and tutors;
(vii) Provision of locker rooms, practice, and competitive facilities;
(viii) Provision of medical and training facilities and services;
(ix) Provision of housing and dining facilities and services;
(x) Publicity.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (c)(1) of this section, unequal aggregate expenditures for members of each sex or unequal expenditures for male and female teams if a recipient operates or sponsors separate teams will not constitute noncompliance with this section, but the designated agency official may consider the failure to provide necessary funds for teams for one sex in assessing equality of opportunity for members of each sex.
(d) Adjustment period. A recipient that operates or sponsors interscholastic, intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics at the elementary school level shall comply fully with this section as expeditiously as possible but in no event later than one year from September 29, 2000. A recipient that operates or sponsors interscholastic, intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics at the secondary or postsecondary school level shall comply fully with this section as expeditiously as possible but in no event later than three years from September 29, 2000.
§ 196.455 Textbooks and curricular material.
Nothing in these Title IX regulations shall be interpreted as requiring or prohibiting or abridging in any way the use of particular textbooks or curricular materials.
Subpart E—Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Employment in Education Programs or Activities Prohibited
§ 196.500 Employment.
(a) General. (1) No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in employment, or recruitment, consideration, or selection therefor, whether full-time or part-time, under any education program or activity operated by a recipient that receives Federal financial assistance.
(2) A recipient shall make all employment decisions in any education program or activity operated by such recipient in a nondiscriminatory manner and shall not limit, segregate, or classify applicants or employees in any way that could adversely affect any applicant’s or employee’s employment opportunities or status because of sex.
(3) A recipient shall not enter into any contractual or other relationship which directly or indirectly has the effect of subjecting employees or students to discrimination prohibited by §§ 196.500 through 196.550, including relationships with employment and referral agencies, with labor unions, and with organizations providing or administering fringe benefits to employees of the recipient.
(4) A recipient shall not grant preferences to applicants for employment on the basis of attendance at any educational institution or entity that admits as students only or predominantly members of one sex, if the giving of such preferences has the effect of discriminating on the basis of sex in violation of these Title IX regulations.
(b) Application. The provisions of §§ 196.500 through 196.550 apply to:
(1) Recruitment, advertising, and the process of application for employment;
(2) Hiring, upgrading, promotion, consideration for and award of tenure, demotion, transfer, layoff, termination, application of nepotism policies, right of return from layoff, and rehiring;
(3) Rates of pay or any other form of compensation, and changes in compensation;
(4) Job assignments, classifications, and structure, including position descriptions, lines of progression, and seniority lists;
(5) The terms of any collective bargaining agreement;
(6) Granting and return from leaves of absence, leave for pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, leave for persons of either sex to care for children or dependents, or any other leave;
(7) Fringe benefits available by virtue of employment, whether or not administered by the recipient;
(8) Selection and financial support for training, including apprenticeship, professional meetings, conferences, and other related activities, selection for tuition assistance, selection for sabbaticals and leaves of absence to pursue training;
(9) Employer-sponsored activities, including social or recreational programs; and
(10) Any other term, condition, or privilege of employment.
§ 196.505 Employment criteria.
A recipient shall not administer or operate any test or other criterion for any employment opportunity that has a disproportionately adverse effect on persons on the basis of sex unless:
(a) Use of such test or other criterion is shown to predict validly successful performance in the position in question; and
(b) Alternative tests or criteria for such purpose, which do not have such disproportionately adverse effect, are shown to be unavailable.
§ 196.510 Recruitment.
(a) Nondiscriminatory recruitment and hiring. A recipient shall not discriminate on the basis of sex in the recruitment and hiring of employees. Where a recipient has been found to be presently discriminating on the basis of sex in the recruitment or hiring of employees, or has been found to have so discriminated in the past, the recipient shall recruit members of the sex so discriminated against so as to overcome the effects of such past or present discrimination.
(b) Recruitment patterns. A recipient shall not recruit primarily or exclusively at entities that furnish as applicants only or predominantly members of one sex if such actions have the effect of discriminating on the basis of sex in violation of §§ 196.500 through 196.550.
§ 196.515 Compensation.
A recipient shall not make or enforce any policy or practice that, on the basis of sex:
(a) Makes distinctions in rates of pay or other compensation;
(b) Results in the payment of wages to employees of one sex at a rate less than that paid to employees of the opposite sex for equal work on jobs the performance of which requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility, and that are performed under similar working conditions.
§ 196.520 Job classification and structure.
A recipient shall not:
(a) Classify a job as being for males or for females;
(b) Maintain or establish separate lines of progression, seniority lists, career ladders, or tenure systems based on sex; or
(c) Maintain or establish separate lines of progression, seniority systems, career ladders, or tenure systems for similar jobs, position descriptions, or job requirements that classify persons on the basis of sex, unless sex is a bona fide occupational qualification for the positions in question as set forth in § 196.550.
§ 196.525 Fringe benefits.
(a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any profit-sharing or bonus plan, leave, and any other benefit or service of employment not subject to the provision of § 196.515.
(b) Prohibitions. A recipient shall not:
(1) Discriminate on the basis of sex with regard to making fringe benefits available to employees or make fringe benefits available to spouses, families, or dependents of employees differently upon the basis of the employee’s sex;
(2) Administer, operate, offer, or participate in a fringe benefit plan that does not provide for equal periodic benefits for members of each sex and for equal contributions to the plan by such recipient for members of each sex; or
(3) Administer, operate, offer, or participate in a pension or retirement plan that establishes different optional or compulsory retirement ages based on sex or that otherwise discriminates in benefits on the basis of sex.
§ 196.530 Marital or parental status.
(a) General. A recipient shall not apply any policy or take any employment action:
(1) Concerning the potential marital, parental, or family status of an employee or applicant for employment that treats persons differently on the basis of sex; or
(2) Which is based upon whether an employee or applicant for employment is the head of household or principal wage earner in such employee’s or applicant’s family unit.
(b) Pregnancy. A recipient shall not discriminate against or exclude from employment any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom.
(c) Pregnancy as a temporary disability. Subject to § 196.235(d), a recipient shall treat pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, recovery therefrom, and any temporary disability resulting therefrom as any other temporary disability for all job-related purposes, including commencement, duration, and extensions of leave, payment of disability income, accrual of seniority and any other benefit or service, and reinstatement, and under any fringe benefit offered to employees by virtue of employment.
(d) Pregnancy leave. In the case of a recipient that does not maintain a leave policy for its employees, or in the case of an employee with insufficient leave or accrued employment time to qualify for leave under such a policy, a recipient shall treat pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, and recovery therefrom as a justification for a leave of absence without pay for a reasonable period of time, at the conclusion of which the employee shall be reinstated to the status that she held when the leave began or to a comparable position, without decrease in rate of compensation or loss of promotional opportunities, or any other right or privilege of employment.
§ 196.535 Effect of state or local law or other requirements.
(a) Prohibitory requirements. The obligation to comply with §§ 196.500 through 196.550 is not obviated or alleviated by the existence of any State or local law or other requirement that imposes prohibitions or limits upon employment of members of one sex that are not imposed upon members of the other sex.
(b) Benefits. A recipient that provides any compensation, service, or benefit to members of one sex pursuant to a State or local law or other requirement shall provide the same compensation, service, or benefit to members of the other sex.
§ 196.540 Advertising.
A recipient shall not in any advertising related to employment indicate preference, limitation, specification, or discrimination based on sex unless sex is a bona fide occupational qualification for the particular job in question.
§ 196.545 Pre-employment inquiries.
(a) Marital status. A recipient shall not make pre-employment inquiry as to the marital status of an applicant for employment, including whether such applicant is “Miss” or “Mrs.”
(b) Sex. A recipient may make pre-employment inquiry as to the sex of an applicant for employment, but only if such inquiry is made equally of such applicants of both sexes and if the results of such inquiry are not used in connection with discrimination prohibited by these Title IX regulations.
§ 196.550 Sex as a bona fide occupational qualification.
A recipient may take action otherwise prohibited by §§ 196.500 through 196.550 provided it is shown that sex is a bona fide occupational qualification for that action, such that consideration of sex with regard to such action is essential to successful operation of the employment function concerned. A recipient shall not take action pursuant to this section that is based upon alleged comparative employment characteristics or stereotyped characterizations of one or the other sex, or upon preference based on sex of the recipient, employees, students, or other persons, but nothing contained in this section shall prevent a recipient from considering an employee’s sex in relation to employment in a locker room or toilet facility used only by members of one sex.
Subpart F—Procedures
§ 196.600 Notice of covered programs.
Within 60 days of September 29, 2000, each Federal agency that awards Federal financial assistance shall publish in the
§ 196.605 Enforcement procedures.
The investigative, compliance, and enforcement procedural provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d) (“Title VI”) are hereby adopted and applied to these Title IX regulations. These procedures may be found at 32 CFR 195.7 through 195.12.
PART 197—HISTORICAL RESEARCH IN THE FILES OF THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (OSD)
§ 197.1 Purpose.
This part, in accordance with the authority in DoD Directive 5110.4, implements policy and updates procedures for the programs that permit authorized personnel to perform historical research in records created by or in the custody of Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) consistent with Executive Order 13526; DoD Manual 5230.30, “DoD Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Program” (available at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/523030m.pdf); 32 CFR part 286; 32 CFR part 310; DoD Manual 5200.01, “DoD Information Security Program” Volumes 1-4 (available at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/520001_vol1.pdf, http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/520001_vol2.pdf, http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/520001_vol3.pdf, and http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/520001_vol4.pdf); 36 CFR 1230.10 and 36 CFR part 1236; DoD Directive 5230.09, “Clearance of DoD Information for Public Release” (available at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/523009p.pdf); and 32 CFR 197.5.
§ 197.2 Applicability.
This part applies to:
(a) The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the Defense Agencies, and the DoD Field Activities in the National Capital Region that are serviced by Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) (referred to collectively in this part as the “WHS-Serviced Components”).
(b) All historical researchers as defined in § 197.3.
(c) Cabinet Level Officials, Former Presidential Appointees (FPAs) to include their personnel, aides and researchers, seeking access to records containing information they originated, reviewed, signed, or received while serving in an official capacity.
§ 197.3 Definitions.
The following definitions apply to this part:
Access. The availability of or the permission to consult records, archives, or manuscripts. The ability and opportunity to obtain classified, unclassified, or administratively controlled information or records.
Electronic records. Records stored in a form that only a computer can process and satisfies the definition of a federal record, also referred to as machine-readable records or automatic data processing records (including email).
Historical researchers or requestors. A person approved to conduct research in OSD files for historical information to use in a DoD approved project (e.g., agency historical office projects, books, articles, studies, or reports), regardless of the person’s employment status. Excluded are Military personnel assigned to OSD; OSD employees, contractors, and students conducting research in response to academic requirements.
Records (also referred to as federal records or official records). All books, papers, maps, photographs, machine-readable materials, or other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received by an agency of the U.S. Government under federal law or in connection with the transaction of public business and preserved or appropriate for preservation by that agency or its legitimate successor as evidence of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the U.S. Government or because of the informational value of data in them.
§ 197.4 Policy.
It is OSD policy that:
(a) Pursuant to Executive Order 13526, anyone requesting access to classified material must possess the requisite security clearance.
(b) Members of the public seeking the declassification of DoD documents under the provisions of section 3.5 of Executive Order 13526 will contact the appropriate OSD Component as listed in DoD Manual 5230.30.
(c) Records and information requested by FPA and approved historical researchers will be accessed at a facility under the control of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), NARA’s Archives II in College Park, Maryland, a Presidential library, or an appropriate U.S. military facility or a DoD activity in accordance with Vol 3 of DoD Manual 5200.01, “DoD Information Security Program,” February 24, 2012, as amended.
(d) Access to records and information will be limited to the specific records within the scope of the proposed research request over which OSD has authority and to any other records for which the written consent of other agencies with authority has been granted in accordance with Vol 3 of DoD Manual 5200.01, “DoD Information Security Program,” February 24, 2012, as amended.
(e) Access to unclassified OSD Component records and information will be permitted consistent with the restrictions of the exemptions of 5 U.S.C. 552(b) (also known and referred to in this part as the “Freedom of Information Act” (FOIA), 32 CFR part 286, § 197.5 of this part, and consistent with 32 CFR part 310. The procedures for access to classified information will be used if the requested unclassified information is contained in OSD files whose overall markings are classified.
(f) Except as otherwise provided in DoD Manual 5200.01 volume 3, no person may have access to classified information unless that person has been determined to be trustworthy and access is essential to the accomplishment of a lawful and authorized purpose.
(g) Persons outside the Executive Branch who are engaged in approved historical research projects may be granted access to classified information, consistent with the provisions of Executive Order 13526 and DoD Manual 5200.01 volume 1 provided that the OSD official with classification jurisdiction over that information grants access.
(h) Contractors working for Executive Branch agencies may be allowed access to classified OSD Component files provided the contractors meet all the required criteria for such access as an historical researcher including the appropriate level of personnel security clearance set forth in paragraphs (a) and (i) of this section. No copies of OSD records and information may be released directly to the contractors. The Washington Headquarters Services Records and Declassification Division (WHS/RDD) will be responsible for ensuring that the contractor safeguards the documents and the information is only used for the project for which it was requested per section 4.1 of Executive Order 13526, “Classified National Security Information,” December 29, 2009.
(i) All DoD-employed requesters, to include DoD contractors, must have critical nuclear weapons design information (CNWDI) to access CNWDI information. All other non DoD and non-Executive Branch personnel must have a Department of Energy-issued “Q” clearance to access CNWDI information in accordance with DoD Manual 5220.22, “National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM),” February 28, 2006, as amended.
(j) The removal of federal records and information from OSD custody is not authorized; this includes copies and email according to 36 CFR 1230.10. Copies of records and information that are national security classified will remain under the control of the agency.
(k) Access for FPAs is limited to records they originated, reviewed, signed, or received while serving as Presidential appointees, unless there is another basis for providing access in accordance with Vol 3 of DoD Manual 5200.01, “DoD Information Security Program,” February 24, 2012, as amended.
(l) Authorization is required from all agencies whose classified information is, or is expected to be, in the requested files prior to granting approval for access. Separate authorizations for access to records and information maintained in OSD Component office files or at the federal records centers will not be required in accordance with Vol 3 of DoD Manual 5200.01, “DoD Information Security Program,” February 24, 2012, as amended.
§ 197.5 Responsibilities.
(a) The Director of Administration (DA), Office of the Deputy Chief Management Officer (ODCMO), or designee is the approval authority for access to DoD information in OSD Component files and in files at the National Archives, Presidential libraries, and other similar institutions in accordance with DoD Directive 5110.4 and DoD Manual 5230.30.
(b) OSD Records Administrator. Under the authority, direction, and control of the DA, ODCMO, the OSD Records Administrator:
(1) Exercises approval authority for research access to OSD and WHS Serviced Components records, information, and the Historical Research Program.
(2) Maintains records necessary to process and monitor each case.
(3) Obtains all required authorizations.
(4) Obtains, when warranted, the legal opinion of the General Counsel of the Department of Defense regarding the requested access.
(5) Coordinates, with the originator, on the public release review on documents selected by the researchers for use in unclassified projects in accordance with DoD Directive 5230.09 and DoD Instruction 5230.29, “Security and Policy Review of DoD Information for Public Release” (available at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/523029p.pdf).
(6) Coordinates requests with the OSD Historian.
(7) Provides prospective researchers the procedures necessary for requesting access to OSD Component files.
(c) The WHS-serviced Components heads, when requested:
(1) Determine whether access is for a lawful and authorized government purpose or in the interest of national security.
(2) Determine whether the specific records requested are within the scope of the proposed historical research.
(3) Determine the location of the requested records.
(4) Provide a point of contact to the OSD Records Administrator.
§ 197.6 Procedures.
(a) Procedures for historical researchers permanently assigned within the Executive Branch working on official projects. (1) In accordance with § 197.5, the WHS-serviced Components heads, when requested, will:
(i) Make a written determination that the requested access is essential to the accomplishment of a lawful and authorized U.S. Government purpose, stating whether the requested records can be made available. If disapproved, cite specific reasons.
(ii) Provide the location of the requested records, including accession and box numbers if the material has been retired to the Washington National Records Center (WNRC).
(iii) Provide a point of contact for liaison with the OSD Records Administrator if any requested records are located in OSD Component working files.
(2) The historical researcher or requestor will:
(i) Submit a request for access to OSD files to: OSD Records Administrator, WHS/Records and Declassification Division, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Suite 02F09-02, Alexandria, VA 22350-3100.
(ii) All requests must be signed by an appropriate official and must contain:
(A) The name(s) of the researcher(s) and any assistant(s), level of security clearance, and the federal agency, institute, or company to which the researcher is assigned.
(B) A statement on the purpose of the project, including whether the final product is to be classified or unclassified.
(C) An explicit description of the information being requested and, if known, the originating office, so that the identification and location of the information may be facilitated.
(D) Appropriate higher authorization of the request.
(E) Ensure researcher’s security manager or personnel security office verifies his or her security clearances in writing to the OSD Records Administrator’s Security Manager.
(iii) Maintain the file integrity of the records being reviewed, ensuring that no records are removed and that all folders are replaced in the correct box in their proper order.
(iv) Make copies of any documents pertinent to the project, ensuring that staples are carefully removed and that the documents are re-stapled before they are replaced in the folder.
(v) Submit the completed manuscript for review prior to public presentation or publication to:
(vi) If the requester is an official historian of a federal agency requiring access to DoD records at the National Archives facilities or a Presidential library, the requested must be addressed directly to the pertinent facility with an information copy sent to the OSD Records Administrator. The historian’s security clearances must be verified to the National Archives or the Presidential library.
(3) The use of computers, laptops, computer tablets, personal digital assistants, recorders, or similar devices listed in § 197.6(f) is prohibited. Researchers will use letter-sized paper (approximately 8
(4) The following applies to all notes taken during research:
(i) All notes are considered classified at the level of the document from which they were taken.
(ii) Indicate at the top of each page of notes the document:
(A) Originator.
(B) Date.
(C) Subject (if the subject is classified, indicate the classification).
(D) Folder number or other identification.
(E) Accession number and box number in which the document was found.
(F) Security classification of the document.
(iii) Number each page of notes consecutively.
(iv) Leave the last 1
(v) Ensure the notes are legible, in English, and in black ink.
(vi) All notes must be given to the staff at the end of each day. The facility staff will forward the notes to the OSD Records Administrator for an official review and release to the researcher.
(5) The OSD Records Administrator will:
(i) Process all requests from Executive Branch employees requesting access to OSD Component files for official projects.
(ii) Determine which OSD Component originated the requested records and, if necessary, request an access determination from the OSD Component and the location of the requested records, including but not limited to electronic information systems, databases or accession number and box numbers if the hardcopy records have been retired offsite.
(iii) Request authorization for access from other OSD Component as necessary.
(A) Official historians employed by federal agencies may have access to the classified information of any other agency found in DoD files, as long as authorization for access has been obtained from these agencies.
(B) If the requester is not an official historian, authorization for access must be obtained from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), National Security Council (NSC), Department of State (DOS), and any other non-DoD agency whose classified information is expected to be found in the files to be accessed.
(iv) Make a written determination as to the researcher’s trustworthiness based on the researcher having been issued a security clearance.
(v) Compile all information on the request for access to classified information, to include evidence of an appropriately issued personnel security clearance, and forward the information to the DA, ODCMO; OSD Component or designee, who will make the access determination.
(vi) Notify the researcher of the authorization and conditions for access to the requested records or of the denial of access and the reason(s).
(vii) Ensure that all conditions for access and release of information for use in the project are met.
(viii) Make all necessary arrangements for the researcher to visit the review location and review the requested records.
(ix) Provide all requested records and information under OSD control in electronic formats consistent with 36 CFR part 1236. For all other information, a staff member will be assigned to supervise the researcher’s copying of pertinent documents at the assigned facility.
(x) If the records are maintained in the OSD Component’s working files, arrange for the material to be converted to electronic format for the researchers to review.
(xi) Notify the National Archives, Presidential library, or military facility of the authorization and access conditions of all researchers approved to research OSD records held in those facilities.
(b) Procedures for the DOS Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS) series. (1) The DOS historians will:
(i) Submit requests for access to OSD files. The request should list the names and security clearances for the historians doing the research and an explicit description, including the accession and box numbers, of the files being requested. Submit request to: OSD Records Administrator, WHS/Records and Declassification Division, 4800 Mark Center Dr, Suite 02F09-02, Alexandria, VA 22380-2100.
(ii) Submit to the OSD Records Administrator requests for access for members of the Advisory Committee on Historical Diplomatic Documentation to documents copied by the DOS historians for the series or the files reviewed to obtain the documents.
(iii) Request that the DOS Diplomatic Security staff verify all security clearances in writing to the OSD Records Administrator’s Security Manager.
(iv) Give all document copies to the OSD Records Administrator staff member who is supervising the copying as they are made.
(v) Submit any OSD documents desired for use or pages of the manuscript containing OSD classified information for declassification review prior to publication to the Chief, Security Review Division at: WHS/Chief, Security Review Division, Office of Security Review, 1155 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-1155.
(2) The OSD Records Administrator will:
(i) Determine the location of the records being requested by the DOS for the FRUS series according to Title IV of Public Law 102-138, “The Foreign Relations of the United States Historical Series.”
(ii) Act as a liaison with the CIA, NSC, and any other non-OSD agency for access by DOS historians to records and information and such non-DoD agency classified information expected to be interfiled with the requested OSD records.
(iii) Obtain written verification from the DOS Diplomatic Security staff of all security clearances, including “Q” clearances.
(iv) Make all necessary arrangements for the DOS historians to access, review, and copy documents selected for use in their research in accordance with procedures in accordance with § 197.6(a).
(v) Provide a staff member to supervise document copying in accordance with the guidance provided in § 197.6(d) of this part.
(vi) Compile a list of the documents that were copied by the DOS historians.
(vii) Scan and transfer copies to DOS in NARA an approved electronic format.
(viii) Submit to the respective agency a list of CIA and NSC documents copied and released to the DOS historians.
(ix) Process DOS Historian Office requests for members of the Advisory Committee on Historical Diplomatic Documentation with appropriate security clearances to have access to documents copied and used by the DOS historians to compile the FRUS series volumes or to the files that were reviewed to obtain the copied documents. Make all necessary arrangements for the Advisory Committee to review any documents that are at the WNRC.
(c) Procedures for historical researchers not permanently assigned to the Executive Branch. (1) The WHS-serviced Components heads, when required, will:
(i) Recommend to the DA, ODCMO, or his or her designee, approval or disapproval of requests to access OSD information. State whether access to, release, and clearance of the requested information is in the interest of national security and whether the information can be made available. If disapproval is recommended, specific reasons should be cited.
(ii) Provide the location of the requested information, including but not limited to the office, component, information system or accession and box numbers for any records that have been retired to the WNRC.
(iii) Provide a point of contact for liaison with the OSD Records Administrator if any requested records are located in OSD Component working files.
(2) The OSD Records Administrator will:
(i) Process all requests from non-Executive Branch researchers for access to OSD or WHS-serviced Components files. Certify via the WHS Security Officer that the requester has the appropriate clearances.
(ii) Determine which OSD Component originated the requested records and, as necessary, obtain written recommendations for the research to review the classified information.
(iii) Obtain prior authorization to review their classified information from the DOS, CIA, NSC, and any other agency whose classified information is expected to be interfiled with OSD records.
(iv) Obtain agreement from the researcher(s) and any assistant(s) that they will comply with conditions governing access to the classified information (see Figure to § 197.6).
(v) If the requester is an FPA, submit a memorandum after completion of the actions described in this part to WHS, Human Resources Directorate, Security Operations Division, requesting the issuance (including an interim) or reinstatement of an inactive security clearance for the FPA and any assistant and a copy of any signed form letters. The Security Division will contact the researcher(s) and any assistant(s) to obtain the forms required to reinstate or initiate the personnel security investigation to obtain a security clearance. Upon completion of the adjudication process, notify the OSD Records Administrator in writing of the reinstatement, issuance, or denial of a security clearance.
(vi) Make a written determination as to the researcher’s trustworthiness based on his or her having been issued a security clearance.
(vii) Compile all information on the request for access to classified information, to include either evidence of an appropriately issued or reinstated personnel security clearance. Forward the information to the DA, ODCMO or designee, who will make the final determination on the applicant’s eligibility for access to classified OSD or WHS-serviced Component files. If the determination is favorable, the DA, ODCMO or designee will then execute an authorization for access, which will be valid for not more than 2 years.
(viii) Notify the researcher of the approval or disapproval of the request. If the request has been approved, the notification will identify the files authorized for review and specify that the authorization:
(A) Is approved for a predetermined time period.
(B) Is limited to the designated files.
(C) Does not include access to records and/or information of other federal agencies, unless such access has been specifically authorized by those agencies.
(ix) Make all necessary arrangements for the researcher to visit the WNRC and review any requested records that have been retired there, to include written authorization, conditions for the access, and a copy of the security clearance verification.
(x) If the requested records are at the WNRC, make all necessary arrangements for the scanning of documents.
(xi) If the requested records are maintained in OSD or WHS-serviced Component working files, make arrangements for the researcher to review the requested information and, if authorized, copy pertinent documents in the OSD or WHS-serviced Component’s office. Provide the OSD Component with a copy of the written authorization and conditions under which the access is permitted.
(xii) Compile a list of all the documents requested by the researcher.
(xiii) Coordinate the official review on all notes taken and documents copied by the researcher.
(xiv) If the classified information to be reviewed is on file at the National Archives, a Presidential library, or other facility, notify the pertinent facility in writing of the authorization and conditions for access.
(3) The researcher will:
(i) Submit a request for access to OSD Component files to OSD Records Administrator, WHS/Records and Declassification Division, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Suite 02F09-02, Alexandria VA 22350-3100. The request must contain:
(A) As explicit a description as possible of the information being requested so that identification and location of the information may be facilitated.
(B) A statement as to how the information will be used, including whether the final project is to be classified or unclassified.
(C) A statement as to whether the researcher has a security clearance, including the level of clearance and the name of the issuing agency.
(D) The names of any persons who will be assisting the researcher with the project. If the assistants have security clearances, provide the level of clearance and the name of the issuing agency.
(E) A signed copy of their agreement (see Figure) to safeguard the information and to authorize a review of any notes and manuscript for a determination that they contain no classified information. Each project assistant must also sign a copy of the letter.
(F) The forms necessary to obtain a security clearance, if the requester is an FPA without an active security clearance. Each project assistant without an active security clearance will also need to complete these forms. If the FPA or assistant have current security clearances, their personnel security office must provide verification in writing to the OSD Records Administrator’s Security Manager.
(ii) Maintain the integrity of the files being reviewed, ensuring that no records are removed and that all folders are replaced in the correct box in their proper order.
(iii) If copies are authorized, give all copies to the custodian of the files at the end of each day. The custodian will forward the copies of the documents to the OSD Records Administrator for a declassification review and release to the requester.
(A) For records at the WNRC, if authorized, provide the requested information in an electronic format. Review will occur only in the presence of an OSD Records Administrator staff member.
(B) Ensure that all staples are carefully removed and that the documents are re-stapled before the documents are replaced in the folder.
(C) Submit all classified and unclassified notes made from the records to the custodian of the files at the end of each day of research. The custodian will transmit the notes to the OSD Records Administrator for an official review and release to the researcher at the completion of researcher’s project.
(D) Submit the final manuscript to the OSD Records Administrator for forwarding to the Chief, Security Review Division, Office of Security Review, for a security review and public release clearance in accordance with DoD Directive 5230.09 and DoD 5220.22-M, “National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM)” (available at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/522022m.pdf) prior to publication, presentation, or any other public use.
(d) Procedures for document review for the FRUS series. (1) When documents are being reviewed, a WHS/RDD staff member must be present at all times.
(2) The records maybe reviewed at a Presidential Library Archives II, College Park Maryland, WNRC, Suitland, Maryland, or an appropriate military facility. All requested information will remain under the control of the WHS/RDD staff until a public release review is completed, and then provided in electronic formats.
(3) If the requested records have been reviewed in accordance with the automatic declassification provisions of Executive Order 13526, any tabs removed during the research and copying must be replaced in accordance with DoD Manual 5200.01 volume 2.
(4) The number of boxes to be reviewed will determine which of the following procedures will apply. The WHS/RDD staff member will make that determination at the time the request is processed. When the historian completes the review of the boxes, he or she must contact the WHS/RDD to establish a final schedule for scanning the documents. To avoid a possible delay, a tentative schedule will be established at the time that the review schedule is set.
(i) For 24 boxes or fewer, review and scanning will take place simultaneously. Estimated time to complete scanning is 7 work days.
(ii) For 25 boxes or more, the historian will review the boxes and mark the documents that are to be scanned using WHS/RDD authorized reproduction tabs.
(iii) If the review occurs at facilities that OSD does not control ownership of the document, the documents must be given to the WHS/RDD staff member for transmittal for processing.
(5) WHS/RDD will notify the historian when the documents are ready to be picked up. All administrative procedures for classified material transfers will be followed in accordance with DoD Manual 5200.01 volume 1 and DoD 5220.22-M and appropriate receipt for unclassified information will be used.
(e) Procedures for copying documents. (1) The records will be reviewed and copied at a Presidential Library, Archives II, College Park Maryland, WNRC, Suitland, Maryland, or an appropriate U.S. military facility.
(2) If the requested records have been reviewed in accordance with the automatic declassification provisions of Executive Order 13526 any tabs removed during the research and copying must be replaced in accordance with DoD Manual 5200.01 volume 2.
(3) The researcher will mark the documents that he or she wants to copy using WHS/RDD authorized reproduction tabs.
(4) Any notes taken during the review process must be given to the WHS/RDD staff member present for transmittal to the WHS/RDD.
(5) All reproduction charges are to the responsibility of the researcher.
(6) All documents requested will be copied to an approved electronic format by WHS/RDD staff after official review.
(i) The researcher will need to bring paper, staples, staple remover, and stapler.
(ii) When the researcher completes the review of the boxes, he or she must contact the WHS/RDD to establish a final schedule for scanning the requested documents.
(iii) When the documents are scanned, the WHS/RDD will notify the researcher.
(iv) All questions pertaining to the review, copying, or transmittal of OSD documents must be addressed to the WHS/RDD staff member.
(f) General guidelines for researching DoD records. DoD records and information are unique and often cannot be replaced should they be lost or damaged. In order to protect its collections and archives, the OSD Records Administrator has set rules that researchers must follow.
(1) Researchers will work in room assigned. Researchers are not allowed in restricted areas.
(2) Special care must be taken in handling all records. Records may not be leaned on, written on, folded, traced from, or handled in any way likely to damage them.
(3) Records should be kept in the same order in which they are presented.
(4) Items that may not be brought into these research areas include, but are not limited to:
(i) Briefcases.
(ii) Cases for equipment (laptop computers).
(iii) Computers. This includes laptops, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, smart phones, and other similar devices.
(iv) Cellular phones.
(v) Computer peripherals including handheld document scanners and digital or analog cameras.
(vi) Containers larger than 9.5″ × 6.25″ (e.g., paper bags, boxes, backpacks, shopping bags, and sleeping bags).
(vii) Food, drinks (includes bottled water) and cigarettes, cigars, or pipes.
(viii) Handbags or purses larger than 9.5″ × 6.25″.
(ix) Luggage.
(x) Musical instruments and their cases.
(xi) Newspapers.
(xii) Outerwear (e.g., raincoats and overcoats).
(xiii) Pets (exception for service animals, i.e., any guide dog or signal dog that is trained to provide a service to a person with a disability).
(xiv) Scissors or other cutting implements.
(xv) Televisions and audio or video equipment.
(xvi) Umbrellas.
(5) Eating, drinking, or smoking is prohibited.
Appendix A to Part 197—Explanation of FOIA Exemptions and Classification Categories
(a) Explanation of FOIA Exemptions and Classification Categories—(1) Explanation of FOIA Exemptions. Exemptions and their explanations are provided in the Table to Appendix A. See chapter III of 32 CFR part 286 for further information.
Table to Appendix A—Explanation of FOIA Exemptions
| Exemption | Explanation |
|---|---|
| (b)(1) | Applies to records and information currently and properly classified in the interest of national security. |
| (b)(2) | Applies to records related solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of an agency. |
| (b)(3) | Applies to records and information protected by another law that specifically exempts the information from public release. |
| (b)(4) | Applies to records and information on trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a |
| (b)(5) | Applies to records and information of internal records that are deliberative in nature and are part of the decision making process that contain opinions and recommendations. |
| (b)(6) | Applies to records or information the release of which could reasonably be expected to constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of the personal privacy of individuals. |
| (b)(7) | Applies to records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes that could: (a) Reasonably be expected to interfere with law enforcement proceedings; (b) deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or impartial adjudication; (c) reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of the personal privacy of others; (d) disclose the identity of a confidential source; (e) disclose investigative techniques and procedures; or (f) reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual. |
| (b)(8) | Applies to records and information for the use of any agency responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial institutions. |
| (b)(9) | Applies to records and information containing geological and geophysical information (including maps) concerning wells. |
(2) Classification Categories. Information will not be considered for classification unless its unauthorized disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause identifiable or describable damage to the national security in accordance with section 1.2 of Executive Order 13526, and it pertains to one or more of the following:
(i) Military plans, weapons systems, or operations;
(ii) Foreign government information;
(iii) Intelligence activities (including covert action), intelligence sources or methods, or cryptology;
(iv) Foreign relations or foreign activities of the United States, including confidential sources;
(v) Scientific, technological, or economic matters relating to the national security;
(vi) U.S. Government programs for safeguarding nuclear materials or facilities;
(vii) Vulnerabilities or capabilities of systems, installations, infrastructures, projects, plans, or protection services relating to the national security; or
(viii) The development, production, or use of weapons of mass destruction.
(b) [Reserved]
PART 199—CIVILIAN HEALTH AND MEDICAL PROGRAM OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES (CHAMPUS)
§ 199.1 General provisions.
(a) Purpose. This part prescribes guidelines and policies for the administration of the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) for the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) and the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
(b) Applicability—(1) Geographic. This part is applicable geographically within the 50 States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the United States possessions and territories, and in all foreign countries, unless specific exemptions are granted in writing by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee.
(2) Agency. The provisions of this part apply throughout the Department of Defense (DoD), the Coast Guard, the Commissioned Corps of the USPHS, and the Commissioned Corps of the NOAA.
(c) Authority and responsibility—(1) Legislative authority—(i) Joint regulations. 10 U.S.C. chapter 55 authorizes the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Transportation jointly to prescribe regulations for the administration of CHAMPUS.
(ii) Administration. 10 U.S.C. chapter 55 also authorizes the Secretary of Defense to administer CHAMPUS for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps under DoD jurisdiction, the Secretary of Transportation to administer CHAMPUS for the Coast Guard, when the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Navy, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to administer CHAMPUS for the Commissioned Corps of the NOAA and the USPHS.
(2) Organizational delegations and assignments—(i) Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) (ASD(HA)). The Secretary of Defense, by 32 CFR part 367, delegated authority to the ASD(HA) to provide policy guidance, management control and coordination as required for CHAMPUS, and to develop, issue, and maintain regulations with the coordination of the Military Departments and consistent with DoD 5025.1-M.
(ii) Department of Health and Human Services. The Secretary of Health and Human Services has delegated authority to the Assistant Secretary for Health, DHHS, to consult with the Secretary of Defense or a designee and to approve and issue joint regulations implementing 10 U.S.C. chapter 55. This delegation was effective April 19, 1976 (41 FR 18698, May 6, 1976).
(iii) Department of Transportation. The Secretary of Transportation has delegated authority to the Commandant, United States Coast Guard, to consult with the Secretary of Defense or a designee and to approve an issue joint regulations implementing 10 U.S.C., chapter 55.
(iv) Office of CHAMPUS (OCHAMPUS). By DoD Directive 5105.46, OCHAMPUS was established as an OSD field activity under the policy guidance and direction of the ASD(HA). The Director, OCHAMPUS, is directed to execute the following responsibilities and functions:
(A) Supervise and administer the programs and missions to:
(1) Provide technical direction and guidance on organizational, administrative, and operational matters.
(2) Conduct studies and research activities in the health care area to assist in formulating policy required to guide OCHAMPUS in carrying out its programs.
(3) Enter into agreements through the Department of Defense with respect to the Military Departments or other U.S. Government entities, as required, for the effective performance of CHAMPUS.
(4) Supervise and administer OCHAMPUS financial management activities to include:
(i) Formulating budget estimates and justifications to be submitted to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Administration) (DASD(A)) for inclusion in the overall budget for the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
(ii) Ensuring the establishment and maintenance of necessary accounting records and submission of required financial reports to the DASD(A).
(iii) Ensuring the effective execution of approved budgets.
(5) Contract for claims processing services, studies and research, supplies, equipment, an other services necessary to carry out the CHAMPUS programs.
(6) Monitor claims adjudication and processing contracts to ensure that CHAMPUS fiscal intermediaries are fulfilling their obligations.
(7) Convey appropriate CHAMPUS information to providers of care, practitioners, professional societies, health industry organizations, fiscal agents, hospital contractors, and others who have need of such information.
(8) Collect, maintain, and analyze program cost and utilization data appropriate for preparation of budgets, fiscal planning, and as otherwise needed to carry out CHAMPUS programs and missions.
(9) Arrange for the facilities logistical and administrative support to be provided by the Military Departments.
(10) Execute such other functions as appropriate to administer the programs and missions assigned.
(B) Direct and control of the office, activities, and functions of OCHAMPUS Europe (OCHAMPUSEUR).
The Director, OCHAMPUS, may also establish similar offices for OCHAMPUS Southern Hemisphere (OCHAMPUSSO) and OCHAMPUS Pacific (OCHAMPUSPAC).
(C) Develop for issuance, subject to approval by the ASD(HA), such policies or regulations as required to administer and manage CHAMPUS effectively.
(v) Evidence of eligibility. The Department of Defense, through the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), is responsible for establishing and maintaining a listing of persons eligible to receive benefits under CHAMPUS. Identification cards or devices bearing information necessary for preliminary evidence of eligibility, subject to verification through the DEERS, shall be issued to eligible persons by the appropriate Uniformed Services (DoD 1341.1-M, “Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) Program Manual”).
(d) Medical benefits program. The CHAMPUS is a program of medical benefits provided by the U.S. Government under public law to specified categories of individuals who are qualified for these benefits by virtue of their relationship to one of the seven Uniformed Services. Although similar in structure in many of its aspects, CHAMPUS is not an insurance program in that it does not involve a contract guaranteeing the indemnification of an insured party against a specified loss in return for a premium paid. Further, CHAMPUS is not subject to those state regulatory bodies or agencies that control the insurance business generally.
(e) Program funds. The funds used by CHAMPUS are appropriated funds furnished by the Congress through the annual appropriation acts for the Department of Defense and the DHHS. These funds are further disbursed by agents of the government under contracts negotiated by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, under the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). These agents (referred to in this part as CHAMPUS fiscal intermediaries) receive claims against CHAMPUS and adjudicate the claims under this part and in accordance with administrative procedures and instructions prescribed in their contracts. The funds expended for CHAMPUS benefits are federal funds provided CHAMPUS fiscal intermediaries solely to pay CHAMPUS claims, and are not a part of or obtained from the CHAMPUS fiscal intermediary’s funds related to other programs or insurance coverage. CHAMPUS fiscal intermediaries are reimbursed for the adjudication and payment of CHAMPUS claims at a rate (generally fixed-price) prescribed in their contracts.
(f) Claims adjudication and processing. The Director, OCHAMPUS, is responsible for making such arrangements as are necessary to adjudicate and process CHAMPUS claims worldwide.
(1) The United States—(i) Contracting out. The primary method of processing CHAMPUS claims in the United States is through competitively procured, fixed-price contracts. The Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, is responsible for negotiating, under the provisions of the FAR, contracts for the purpose of adjudicating and processing CHAMPUS claims (and related supporting activities).
(ii) In-house. The Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, is authorized to adjudicate and process certain CHAMPUS claims in-house at OCHAMPUS, when it is determined to be in the best interests of CHAMPUS subject to applicable considerations set forth in OMB Circular A-76. Such in-house claims processing may involve special or unique claims, or all claims for a specific geographic area.
(2) Outside the United States—(i) Special subsidiary office or contracting out. For adjudicating and processing CHAMPUS claims for services or supplies provided outside the United States, the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, has the option of either setting up a special subsidiary claims paying operation (such as OCHAMPUSEUR) or contracting out as described in paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this section. Such claims paying operations are reviewed periodically to determine whether current arrangements continue to be appropriate and the most effective.
(ii) Support agreements. In those situations outside the United States that demand special arrangements, the Director, OCHAMPUS, may enter into support agreements through the Department of Defense with any of the Military Departments or other government agency to process CHAMPUS claims in specific geographic locations. Such agreements may be negotiated for such period of time as the Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, may determine to be necessary to meet identified special demands.
(g) Recommendations for change to part. The Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, shall establish procedures for receiving and processing recommendations for changes to this part from interested parties.
(h) CHAMPUS, claims forms. The Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, is responsible for the development and updating of all CHAMPUS claim forms and any other forms necessary in the administration of CHAMPUS.
(i) The CHAMPUS handbook. The Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, shall develop the CHAMPUS, Handbook. The CHAMPUS Handbook is a general program guide for the use of CHAMPUS beneficiaries and providers and shall be updated, as required.
(j) Program integrity. The Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, shall oversee all CHAMPUS personnel, fiscal intermediaries, providers, and beneficiaries to ensure compliance with this part. The Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, shall accomplish this by means of proper delegation of authority, separation of responsibilities, establishment of reports, performance evaluations, internal and external management and fiscal audits, personal or delegated reviews of CHAMPUS responsibilities, taking affidavits, exchange of information among state and Federal governmental agencies, insurers, providers and associations of providers, and such other means as may be appropriate. Compliance with law and this part shall include compliance with specific contracts and agreements, regardless of form, and general instructions, such as CHAMPUS policies, instructions, procedures, and criteria relating to CHAMPUS operation.
(k) Role of CHAMPUS Health Benefits Advisor (HBA). The CHAMPUS HBA is appointed (generally by the commander of a Uniformed Services medical treatment facility) to serve as an advisor to patients and staff in matters involving CHAMPUS. The CHAMPUS HBA may assist beneficiaries or sponsors in applying for CHAMPUS benefits, in the preparation of claims, and in their relations with OCHAMPUS and CHAMPUS fiscal intermediaries. However, the CHAMPUS HBA is not responsible for CHAMPUS policies and procedures and has no authority to make benefit determinations or obligate Government funds. Advice given to beneficiaries as to determination of benefits or level of payment is not binding on OCHAMPUS or CHAMPUS fiscal intermediaries.
(l) Cooperation and exchange of information with other Federal programs. The Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, shall disclose to appropriate officers or employees of the DHHS:
(1) Investigation for fraud. The name and address of any physician or other individual actively being investigated for possible fraud in connection with CHAMPUS, and the nature of such suspected fraud. An active investigation exists when there is significant evidence supporting an initial complaint but there is need for further investigation.
(2) Unnecessary services. The name and address of any provider of medical services, organization, or other person found, after consultation with an appropriate professional association or appropriate peer review body, to have provided unnecessary services. Such information will be released only for the purpose of conducting an investigation or prosecution, or for the administration of titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act, provided that the information will be released only to the agency’s enforcement branch and that the agency will preserve the confidentiality of the information received and will not disclose such information for other than program purposes.
(m) Disclosure of information to the public. Records and information acquired in the administration of CHAMPUS are records of the Department of Defense and may be disclosed in accordance with DoD Directive 5400.7
(n) Discretionary authority. When it is determined to be in the best interest of CHAMPUS, the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, is granted discretionary authority to waive any requirements of this part, except that any requirement specifically set forth in 10 U.S.C. chapter 55, or otherwise imposed by law, may not be waived. It is the intent that such discretionary authority be used only under very unusual and limited circumstances and not to deny any individual any right, benefit, or privilege provided to him or her by statute or this part. Any such exception granted by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, shall apply only to the individual circumstance or case involved and will in no way be construed to be precedent-setting.
(o) Demonstration projects—(1) Authority. The Director, OCHAMPUS may waive or alter any requirements of this regulation in connection with the conduct of a demonstration project required or authorized by law except for any requirement that may not be waived or altered pursuant to 10 U.S.C. chapter 55, or other applicable law.
(2) Procedures. At least 30 days prior to taking effect, OCHAMPUS shall publish a notice describing the demonstration project, the requirements of this regulation being waived or altered under paragraph (o)(1) of this section and the duration of the waiver or alteration. Consistent with the purpose and nature of demonstration projects, these notices are not covered by public comment practices under DoD Directive 5400.9 (32 CFR part 296) or DoD Instruction 6010.8.
(3) Definition. For purposes of this section, a “demonstration project” is a project of limited duration designed to test a different method for the finance, delivery or administration of health care activities for the uniformed services. Demonstration projects may be required or authorized by 10 U.S.C. 1092, any other statutory provision requiring or authorizing a demonstration project or any other provision of law that authorizes the activity involved in the demonstration project.”.
(p) Military-Civilian Health Services Partnership Program. The Secretary of Defense, or designee, may enter into an agreement (external or internal) providing for the sharing of resources between facilities of the uniformed services and facilities of a civilian health care provider or providers if the Secretary determines that such an agreement would result in the delivery of health care in a more effective, efficient or economical manner. This partnership allows CHAMPUS beneficiaries to receive inpatient and outpatient services through CHAMPUS from civilian personnel providing health care services in military treatment facilities and from uniformed service professional providers in civilian facilities. The policies and procedures by which partnership agreements may be executed are set forth in Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 6010.12, “Military-Civilian Health Services Partnership Program.” The Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, shall issue policies, instructions, procedures, guidelines, standards, or criteria as may be necessary to provide support for implementation of DoDI 6010.12, to promulgate and manage benefit and financial policy issues, and to develop a program evaluation process to ensure the Partnership Program accomplishes the purpose for which it was developed.
(1) Partnership agreements. Military treatment facility commanders, based upon the authority provided by their representative Surgeons General of the military departments, are responsible for entering into individual partnership agreements only when they have determined specifically that use of the Partnership Program is more economical overall to the Government than referring the need for health care services to the civilian community under the normal operation of the CHAMPUS Program. All such agreements are subject to the review and approval of the Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, and the appropriate Surgeon General.
(i) External partnership agreements. The external partnership agreement is an agreement between a military treatment facility Commander and a CHAMPUS-authorized institutional provider, enabling Uniformed Services health care personnel to provide otherwise covered medical care to CHAMPUS beneficiaries in a civilian facility. Authorized costs associated with the use of the facility will be financed through CHAMPUS under normal cost-sharing and reimbursement procedures currently applicable under the basic CHAMPUS. Savings will be realized under this type of agreement by using available military health care personnel to avoid the civilian professional provider charges which would otherwise be billed to CHAMPUS.
(ii) Internal partnership agreements. The internal partnership agreement is an agreement between a military treatment facility commander and a CHAMPUS-authorized civilian health care provider which enables the use of civilian health care personnel or other resources to provide medical care to CHAMPUS beneficiaries on the premises of a military treatment facility. These internal agreements may be established when a military treatment facility is unable to provide sufficient health care services for CHAMPUS beneficiaries due to shortages of personnel and other required resources. In addition to allowing the military treatment facility to achieve maximum use of available facility space, the internal agreement will result in savings to the Government by using civilian medical specialists to provide inpatient care in Government-owned facilities, thereby avoiding the civilian facility charges which would have otherwise been billed to CHAMPUS.
(2) Beneficiary cost-sharing. Beneficiary cost-sharing under the Partnership Program is outlined in § 199.4(f)(5) of this part.
(3) Reimbursement. Reimbursement under the Partnership Program is outlined in § 199.14(f) of this part.
(4) Beneficiary eligibility and authorized providers. Existing requirements of this Regulation remain in effect as concerns beneficiary eligibility and authorized providers.
(5) Range of benefits. Health care services provided CHAMPUS beneficiaries under the terms of the Partnership Program must be consistent with the CHAMPUS range of benefits outlined in this Regulation. The services rendered must be otherwise covered. Charges allowed for professional services provided under the Partnership Program may include costs of support personnel, equipment, and supplies when specifically outlined in the partnership agreement, However, all CHAMPUS coverage and provider requirements must be met.
(q) Equality of benefits. All claims submitted for benefits under CHAMPUS shall be adjudicated in a consistent, fair, and equitable manner, without regard to the rank of the sponsor.
(r) TRICARE program. Many rules and procedures established in sections of this part are subject to revision in areas where the TRICARE program is implemented. The TRICARE program is the means by which managed care activities designed to improve the delivery and financing of health care services in the Military Health Services System(MHSS) are carried out. Rules and procedures for the TRICARE program are set forth in § 199.17.
§ 199.2 Definitions.
(a) General. In an effort to be as specific as possible as to the word and intent of CHAMPUS, the following definitions have been developed. While many of the definitions are general and some assign meaning to relatively common terms within the health insurance environment, others are applicable only to CHAMPUS; however, they all appear in this part solely for the purpose of the Program. Except when otherwise specified, the definitions in this section apply generally throughout this part.
(b) Specific definitions. Abortion. Abortion means the intentional termination of a pregnancy by artificial means done for a purpose other than that of producing a live birth. A spontaneous, missed or threatened abortion or termination of an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy are not included within the term “abortion” as used herein.
Absent treatment. Services performed by Christian Science practitioners for a person when the person is physically present.
Technically, “Absent Treatment” is an obsolete term. The current Christian Science terminology is “treatment through prayer and spiritual means,” which is employed by an authorized Christian Science practitioner either with the beneficiary being present or absent. However, to be considered for coverage under CHAMPUS, the beneficiary must be present physically when a Christian Science service is rendered, regardless of the terminology used.
Abuse. For the purposes of this part, abuse is defined as any practice that is inconsistent with accepted sound fiscal, business, or professional practice which results in a CHAMPUS claim, unnecessary cost, or CHAMPUS payment for services or supplies that are: (1) Not within the concepts of medically necessary and appropriate care, as defined in this part, or (2) that fail to meet professionally recognized standards for health care providers. The term “abuse” includes deception or misrepresentation by a provider, or any person or entity acting on behalf of a provider in relation to a CHAMPUS claim.
Unless a specific action is deemed gross and flagrant, a pattern of inappropriate practice will normally be required to find that abuse has occurred. Also, any practice or action that constitutes fraud, as defined by this part, would also be abuse.
Abused dependent. An eligible spouse or child, who meets the criteria in § 199.3 of this part, of a former member who received a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge or was dismissed from a Uniformed Service as a result of a court-martial conviction for an offense involving physical or emotional abuse or was administratively discharged as a result of such an offense, or of a member or former member who has had their entitlement to receive retired pay terminated because of misconduct involving physical or emotional abuse.
Accidental injury. Physical bodily injury resulting from an external force, blow or fall, or the ingestion of a foreign body or harmful substance, requiring immediate medical treatment. Accidental injury also includes animal and insect bites and sunstrokes. For the purpose of CHAMPUS, the breaking of a tooth or teeth does not constitute a physical bodily injury.
Active duty. Full-time duty in the Uniformed Services of the United States. It includes duty on the active list, full-time training duty, annual training duty, and attendance while in the active Military Service, at a school designated as a Service school by law or by the Secretary of the Military Department concerned.
Active duty member. A person on active duty in a Uniformed Service under a call or order that does not specify a period of 30 days or less.
Activities of daily living. Care that consists of providing food (including special diets), clothing, and shelter; personal hygiene services; observation and general monitoring; bowel training or management (unless abnormalities in bowel function are of a severity to result in a need for medical or surgical intervention in the absence of skilled services); safety precautions; general preventive procedures (such as turning to prevent bedsores); passive exercise; companionship; recreation; transportation; and such other elements of personal care that reasonably can be performed by an untrained adult with minimal instruction or supervision. Activities of daily living may also be referred to as “essentials of daily living”.
Acupuncture. The practice of inserting needles into various body parts to pierce specific peripheral nerves for the production of counter-irritation to relieve the discomfort of pain, induce surgical anesthesia, or for other treatment purposes.
Acupuncture is not covered by CHAMPUS.
Adequate Medical Documentation, Medical Treatment Records. Adequate medical documentation contains sufficient information to justify the diagnosis, the treatment plan, and the services and supplies furnished. Under CHAMPUS, it is required that adequate and sufficient clinical records be kept by the health care provider(s) to substantiate that specific care was actually and appropriately furnished, was medically necessary and appropriate (as defined by this part), and to identify the individual(s) who provided the care. All procedures billed must be documented in the records. In determining whether medical records are adequate, the records will be reviewed under the generally acceptable standards such as the applicable Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards, the Peer Review Organization (PRO) standards (and the provider’s state or local licensing requirements) and other requirements specified by this part. In general, the documentation requirements for a professional provider are not less in the outpatient setting than the inpatient setting.
Adequate medical documentation, mental health records. Adequate medical documentation provides the means for measuring the type, frequency, and duration of active treatment mechanisms employed and progress under the treatment plan. Under CHAMPUS, it is required that adequate and sufficient clinical records be kept by the provider to substantiate that specific care was actually and appropriately furnished, was medically or psychologically necessary (as defined by this part), and to identify the individual(s) who provided the care. Each service provided or billed must be documented in the records. In determining whether medical records are adequate, the records will be reviewed under the generally acceptable standards (e.g., the standards of an accrediting organization approved by the Director, and the provider’s state or local licensing requirements) and other requirements specified by this part. The psychiatric and psychological evaluations, physician orders, the treatment plan, integrated progress notes (and physician progress notes if separate from the integrated progress notes), and the discharge summary are the more critical elements of the mental health record. However, nursing and staff notes, no matter how complete, are not a substitute for the documentation of services by the individual professional provider who furnished treatment to the beneficiary. In general, the documentation requirements of a professional provider are not less in the outpatient setting than the inpatient setting. Furthermore, even though a hospital that provides psychiatric care may be accredited under The Joint Commission (TJC) manual for hospitals rather than the behavioral health standards manual, the critical elements of the mental health record listed above are required for CHAMPUS claims.
Adjunctive dental care. Dental care which is medically necessary in the treatment of an otherwise covered medical (not dental) condition, is an integral part of the treatment of such medical condition and is essential to the control of the primary medical condition; or, is required in preparation for or as the result of dental trauma which may be or is caused by medically necessary treatment of an injury or disease (iatrogenic).
Admission. The formal acceptance by a CHAMPUS authorized institutional provider of a CHAMPUS beneficiary for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment of illness, injury, pregnancy, or mental disorder.
Adopted child. A child taken into one’s own family by legal process and treated as one’s own child. In case of adoption, CHAMPUS eligibility begins as of 12:01 a.m. of the day of the final adoption decree.
There is no CHAMPUS benefit entitlement during any interim waiting period.
All-inclusive per diem rate. The OCHAMPUS determined rate that encompasses the daily charge for inpatient care and, unless specifically excepted, all other treatment determined necessary and rendered as part of the treatment plan established for a patient, and accepted by OCHAMPUS.
Allowable charge. The CHAMPUS-determined level of payment to physicians, other individual professional providers and other providers, based on one of the approved reimbursement methods set forth in § 199.14 of this part. Allowable charge also may be referred to as the CHAMPUS-determined reasonable charge.
Allowable cost. The CHAMPUS-determined level of payment to hospitals or other institutions, based on one of the approved reimbursement methods set fourth in § 199.14 of this part. Allowable cost may also be referred to as the CHAMPUS-determined reasonable cost.
Ambulance. A specially designed vehicle for transporting the sick or injured that contains a stretcher, linens, first aid supplies, oxygen equipment, and such lifesaving equipment required by state and local law, and that is staffed by personnel trained to provide first aid treatment.
Ambulatory Payment Classifications (APCs). Payment of services under the TRICARE OPPS is based on grouping outpatient procedures and services into ambulatory payment classification groups based on clinical and resource homogeneity, provider concentration, frequency of service and minimal opportunities for upcoding and code fragmentation. Nationally established rates for each APC are calculated by multiplying the APC’s relative weight derived from median costs for procedures assigned to the APC group, scaled to the median cost of the APC group representing the most frequently provided services, by the conversion factor.
Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC). Any distinct entity that is classified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as an Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) under 42 CFR part 416 and meets the applicable requirements established by § 199.6(b)(4)(x). Any ASC that would otherwise meet the CMS classification as an ASC but does not have a participation agreement with Medicare due to the nature of the patients they treat (e.g., pediatric) must meet the applicable requirements established by § 199.6(b)(4)(x) in order to be a TRICARE authorized ASC. All ASCs must also enter into participation agreements with TRICARE as required by § 199.6(b)(4)(x) in order to be an authorized TRICARE provider of ASC services. Additionally, ASCs are prohibited from billing TRICARE beneficiaries for procedures that are not included in Medicare’s ASC list of procedures allowable for facility fee payment in an ASC setting, unless the beneficiary agreed in advance in writing to pay for the non-covered services, in accordance with the “hold harmless” provision under § 199.6(b)(4)(x)(B)(1)(ii) and (iii).
Amount in dispute. The amount of money, determined under this part, that CHAMPUS would pay for medical services and supplies involved in an adverse determination being appealed if the appeal were resolved in favor of the appealing party. See § 199.10 for additional information concerning the determination of “amount in dispute” under this part.
Anesthesia services. The administration of an anesthetic agent by injection or inhalation, the purpose and effect of which is to produce surgical anesthesia characterized by muscular relaxation, loss of sensation, or loss of consciousness when administered by or under the direction of a physician or dentist in connection with otherwise covered surgery or obstetrical care, or shock therapy. Anesthesia services do not include hypnosis or acupuncture.
Appealable issue. Disputed questions of fact which, if resolved in favor of the appealing party, would result in the authorization of CHAMPUS benefits, or approval as an authorized provider in accordance with this part. An appealable issue does not exist if no facts are in dispute, if no CHAMPUS benefits would be payable, or if there is no authorized provider, regardless of the resolution of any disputed facts. See § 199.10 for additional information concerning the determination of “appealable issue” under this part.
Appealing party. Any party to the initial determination who files an appeal of an adverse determination or requests a hearing under the provisions of this part.
Appropriate medical care. (i) Services performed in connection with the diagnosis or treatment of disease or injury, pregnancy, mental disorder, or well-baby care which are in keeping with the generally accepted norms for medical practice in the United States;
(ii) The authorized individual professional provider rendering the medical care is qualified to perform such medical services by reason of his or her training and education and is licensed or certified by the state where the service is rendered or appropriate national organization or otherwise meets CHAMPUS standards; and
(iii) The services are furnished economically. For purposes of this part, “economically” means that the services are furnished in the least expensive level of care or medical environment adequate to provide the required medical care regardless of whether or not that level of care is covered by CHAMPUS.
Approved teaching programs. For purposes of CHAMPUS, an approved teaching program is a program of graduate medical education which has been duly approved in its respective specialty or subspecialty by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education of the American Medical Association, by the Committee on Hospitals of the Bureau of Professional Education of the American Osteopathic Association, by the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association, or by the Council on Podiatry Education of the American Podiatry Association.
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs). An authority of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) includes any person designated by the Assistant Secretary to exercise the authority involved.
Assistive technology devices. Equipment that generally does not treat an underlying injury, illness, disease or their symptoms. Assistive technology devices are authorized only under the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO). Assistive technology devices help an ECHO beneficiary overcome or remove a disability and are used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of an individual. Assistive technology devices may include non-medical devices but do not include any structural alterations (e.g., permanent structure of wheelchair ramps or alterations to street curbs) service animals (e.g., Seeing Eye dogs, hearing/handicapped assistance animals, etc.) or specialized equipment and devices whose primary purpose is to enable the individual to engage in sports or recreational events. Assistive technology devices are authorized only under coverage criteria determined by the Director, TRICARE Management Activity to assist in the reduction of the disabling effects of a qualifying condition for individuals eligible to receive benefits under the ECHO program, as provided in § 199.5.
Attending physician. The physician who has the primary responsibility for the medical diagnosis and treatment of the patient. A consultant or an assistant surgeon, for example, would not be an attending physician. Under very extraordinary circumstances, because of the presence of complex, serious, and multiple, but unrelated, medical conditions, a patient may have more than one attending physician concurrently rendering medical treatment during a single period of time. An attending physician also may be a teaching physician.
Augmentative communication device (ACD). A voice prosthesis as determined by the Secretary of Defense to be necessary because of significant conditions resulting from trauma, congenital anomalies, or disease. Also referred to as Speech Generating Device.
Authorized provider. A hospital or institutional provider, physician, or other individual professional provider, or other provider of services or supplies specifically authorized to provide benefits under CHAMPUS in § 199.6 of this part.
Automobile liability insurance. Automobile liability insurance means insurance against legal liability for health and medical expenses resulting from personal injuries arising from operation of a motor vehicle. Automobile liability insurance includes:
(1) Circumstances in which liability benefits are paid to an injured party only when the insured party’s tortious acts are the cause of the injuries; and
(2) Uninsured and underinsured coverage, in which there is a third-party tortfeasor who caused the injuries (i.e., benefits are not paid on a no-fault basis), but the insured party is not the tortfeasor.
Backup hospital. A hospital which is otherwise eligible as a CHAMPUS institutional provider and which is fully capable of providing emergency care to a patient who develops complications beyond the scope of services of a given category of CHAMPUS-authorized freestanding institutional provider and which is accessible from the site of the CHAMPUS-authorized freestanding institutional provider within an average transport time acceptable for the types of medical emergencies usually associated with the type of care provided by the freestanding facility.
Balance billing. A provider seeking any payment, other than any payment relating to applicable deductible and cost sharing amounts, from a beneficiary for CHAMPUS covered services for any amount in excess of the applicable CHAMPUS allowable cost or charge.
Bariatric Surgery. Surgical procedures performed to treat co-morbid conditions associated with morbid obesity. Bariatric surgery is based on two principles: (1) Divert food from the stomach to a lower part of the digestive tract where the normal mixing of digestive fluids and absorption of nutrients cannot occur (i.e., Malabsorptive surgical procedures); or (2) Restrict the size of the stomach and decrease intake (i.e., Restrictive surgical procedures).
Basic program. The primary medical benefits set forth in § 199.4, generally referred to as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) as authorized under chapter 55 of title 10 United States Code, were made available to eligible beneficiaries under this part.
Beneficiary. An individual who has been determined to be eligible for CHAMPUS benefits, as set forth in § 199.3 of this part.
Beneficiary liability. The legal obligation of a beneficiary, his or her estate, or responsible family member to pay for the costs of medical care or treatment received. Specifically, for the purposes of services and supplies covered by CHAMPUS, beneficiary liability includes any annual deductible amount, cost-sharing amounts, or, when a provider does not submit a claim on a participating basis on behalf of the beneficiary, amounts above the CHAMPUS-determined allowable cost or charge. Beneficiary liability also includes any expenses for medical or related services and supplies not covered by CHAMPUS.
Biotelemetry. A diagnostic or monitoring procedure for the detection or measurement of human physiologic functions from a distance using a biotelemetry device to remotely monitor various vital signs of ambulatory patients. Biotelemetry may also be referred to as remote physiologic monitoring of physiologic parameters. See § 199.4.
Birthing center. A health care provider which meets the applicable requirements established by § 199.6(b) of this part.
Birthing room. A room and environment designed and equipped to provide care, to accommodate support persons, and within which a woman with a low-risk, normal, full-term pregnancy can labor, deliver and recover with her infant.
Brace. An orthopedic appliance or apparatus (an orthosis) used to support, align, or hold parts of the body in correct position. For the purposes of CHAMPUS, it does not include orthodontic or other dental appliances.
CAHs. A small facility that provides limited inpatient and outpatient hospital services primarily in rural areas and meets the applicable requirements established by § 199.6(b)(4)(xvi).
Cancer hospital. A specialty hospital that is classified by CMS as a Cancer Hospital as specified in 42 CFR 412.23 and meets the applicable requirements established by § 199.6(b)(4)(i).
Capped rate. The maximum per diem or all-inclusive rate that CHAMPUS will allow for care.
Case management. Case management is a collaborative process which assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates the options and services required to meet an individual’s health needs, including mental health and substance use disorder needs, using communication and available resources to promote quality, cost effective outcomes.
Case-mix index. Case-mix index is a scale that measures the relative difference in resources intensity among different groups receiving home health services.
Certified nurse-midwife. An individual who meets the applicable requirements established by § 199.6(c) of this part.
Certified psychiatric nurse specialist. A licensed, registered nurse who meets the criteria in § 199.6(c)(3)(iii)(G).
CHAMPUS DRG-Based Payment System. A reimbursement system for hospitals which assigns prospectively-determined payment levels to each DRG based on the average cost of treating all CHAMPUS patients in a given DRG.
CHAMPUS fiscal intermediary. An organization with which the Director, OCHAMPUS, has entered into a contract for the adjudication and processing of CHAMPUS claims and the performance of related support activities.
CHAMPUS Health Benefits Advisors (HBAs). Those individuals located at Uniformed Services medical facilities (on occasion at other locations) and assigned the responsibility for providing CHAMPUS information, information concerning availability of care from the Uniformed Services direct medical care system, and generally assisting beneficiaries (or sponsors). The term also includes “Health Benefits Counselor” and “CHAMPUS Advisor.”
Chemotherapy. The administration of approved antineoplastic drugs for the treatment of malignancies (cancer) via perfusion, infusion, or parenteral methods of administration.
Child. An unmarried child of a member or former member, who meets the criteria (including age requirements) in § 199.3 of this part.
Children’s hospital. A specialty hospital that is classified by CMS as a Children’s Hospital as specified in 42 CFR 412.23 and meets the applicable requirements established by § 199.6(b)(4)(i).
Chiropractor. A practitioner of chiropractic (also called chiropraxis); essentially a system of therapeutics based upon the claim that disease is caused by abnormal function of the nerve system. It attempts to restore normal function of the nerve system by manipulation and treatment of the structures of the human body, especially those of the spinal column.
Services of chiropractors are not covered by CHAMPUS.
Christian science nurse. An individual who has been accredited as a Christian Science Nurse by the Department of Care of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts, and listed (or eligible to be listed) in the Christian Science Journal at the time the service is provided. The duties of Christian Science nurses are spiritual and are nonmedical and nontechnical nursing care performed under the direction of an accredited Christian Science practitioner. There exist two levels of Christian Science nurse accreditation:
(i) Graduate Christian Science nurse. This accreditation is granted by the Department of Care of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts, after completion of a 3-year course of instruction and study.
(ii) Practical Christian Science nurse. This accreditation is granted by the Department of Care of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts, after completion of a 1-year course of instruction and study.
Christian Science practitioner. An individual who has been accredited as a Christian Science Practitioner for the First Church, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts, and listed (or eligible to be listed) in the Christian Science Journal at the time the service is provided. An individual who attains this accreditation has demonstrated results of his or her healing through faith and prayer rather than by medical treatment. Instruction is executed by an accredited Christian Science teacher and is continuous.
Christian Science sanatorium. A sanatorium either operated by the First Church of Christ, Scientist, or listed and certified by the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts.
Chronic medical condition. A medical condition that is not curable, but which is under control through active medical treatment. Such chronic conditions may have periodic acute episodes and may require intermittent inpatient hospital care. However, a chronic medical condition can be controlled sufficiently to permit generally continuation of some activities of persons who are not ill (such as work and school).
Chronic renal disease (CRD). The end stage of renal disease which requires a continuing course of dialysis or a kidney transplantation to ameliorate uremic symptoms and maintain life.
Clinical psychologist. A psychologist, certified or licensed at the independent practice level in his or her state, who meets the criteria in § 199.6(c)(3)(iii)(A).
Clinical social worker. An individual who is licensed or certified as a clinical social worker and meets the criteria listed in § 199.6.
Clinically meaningful endpoints. As used the definition of reliable evidence in this paragraph (b) and § 199.4(g)(15), the term clinically meaningful endpoints means objectively measurable outcomes of clinical interventions or other medical procedures, expressed in terms of survival, severity of illness or condition, extent of adverse side effects, diagnostic capability, or other effect on bodily functions directly associated with such results.
Collateral visits. Sessions with the patient’s family or significant others for purposes of information gathering or implementing treatment goals.
Combined daily charge. A billing procedure by an inpatient facility that uses an inclusive flat rate covering all professional and ancillary charges without any itemization.
Complications of pregnancy. One of the following, when commencing or exacerbating during the term of the pregnancy:
(i) Caesarean delivery; hysterectomy.
(ii) Pregnancy terminating before expiration of 26 weeks, except a voluntary abortion.
(iii) False labor or threatened miscarriage.
(iv) Nephritis or pyelitis of pregnancy.
(v) Hyperemesis gravidarum.
(vi) Toxemia.
(vii) Aggravation of a heart condition or diabetes.
(viii) Premature rupture of membrane.
(ix) Ectopic pregnancy.
(x) Hemorrhage.
(xi) Other conditions as may be determined by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee.
Confinement. That period of time from the day of admission to a hospital or other institutional provider, to the day of discharge, transfer, or separation from the facility, or death. Successive admissions also may qualify as one confinement provided not more than 60 days have elapsed between the successive admissions, except that successive admissions related to a single maternity episode shall be considered one confinement, regardless of the number of days between admissions.
Conflict of interest. Includes any situation where an active duty member (including a reserve member while on active duty) or civilian employee of the United States Government, through an official federal position, has the apparent or actual opportunity to exert, directly or indirectly, any influence on the referral of CHAMPUS beneficiaries to himself or herself or others with some potential for personal gain or appearance of impropriety. For purposes of this part, individuals under contract to a Uniformed Service may be involved in a conflict of interest situation through the contract position.
Congenital anomaly. A condition existing at or from birth that is a significant deviation from the common form or norm and is other than a common racial or ethnic feature. For purposes of CHAMPUS, congenital anomalies do not include anomalies relating to teeth (including malocclusion or missing tooth buds) or structures supporting the teeth, or to any form of hermaphroditism or sex gender confusion. Examples of congenital anomalies are harelip, birthmarks, webbed fingers or toes, or such other conditions that the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, may determine to be congenital anomalies.
Also refer to § 199.4(e)(7) of this part.
Consultation. A deliberation with a specialist physician, dentist, or qualified mental health provider requested by the attending physician primarily responsible for the medical care of the patient, with respect to the diagnosis or treatment in any particular case. A consulting physician or dentist or qualified mental health provider may perform a limited examination of a given system or one requiring a complete diagnostic history and examination. To qualify as a consultation, a written report to the attending physician of the findings of the consultant is required.
Staff consultations required by rules and regulations of the medical staff of a hospital or other institutional provider do not qualify as consultation.
Consultation appointment. An appointment for evaluation of medical symptoms resulting in a plan for management which may include elements of further evaluation, treatment and follow-up evaluation. Such an appointment does not include surgical intervention or other invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures beyond the level of very simply office procedures, or basic laboratory work but rather provides the beneficiary with an authoritative opinion.
Consulting physician or dentist. A physician or dentist, other than the attending physician, who performs a consultation.
Conviction. For purposes of this part, “conviction” or “convicted” means that (1) a judgment of conviction has been entered, or (2) there has been a finding of guilt by the trier of fact, or (3) a plea of guilty or a plea of nolo contendere has been accepted by a court of competent jurisdiction, regardless of whether an appeal is pending.
Coordination of benefits. The coordination, on a primary or secondary payer basis, of the payment of benefits between two or more health care coverages to avoid duplication of benefit payments.
Corporate services provider. A health care provider that meets the applicable requirements established by § 199.6(f).
Cosmetic, reconstructive, or plastic surgery. Surgery that can be expected primarily to improve the physical appearance of a beneficiary, or that is performed primarily for psychological purposes, or that restores form, but does not correct or improve materially a bodily function.
Cost-share. The amount of money for which the beneficiary (or sponsor) is responsible in connection with otherwise covered inpatient and outpatient services (other than the annual fiscal year deductible or disallowed amounts) as set forth in §§ 199.4(f) and 199.5(b) of this part. Cost-sharing may also be referred to as “co-payment.”
Custodial care. The term “custodial care” means treatment or services, regardless of who recommends such treatment or services or where such treatment or services are provided, that:
(1) Can be rendered safely and reasonably by a person who is not medically skilled; or
(2) Is or are designed mainly to help the patient with the activities of daily living.
Days. Calendar days.
Deceased member. A person who, at the time of his or her death, was an active duty member of a Uniformed Service under a call or order that did not specify a period of 30 days or less.
Deceased reservist. A reservist in a Uniformed Service who incurs or aggravates an injury, illness, or disease, during, or on the way to or from, active duty training for a period of 30 days or less or inactive duty training and dies as a result of that specific injury, illness or disease.
Deceased retiree. A person who, at the time of his or her death, was entitled to retired or retainer pay or equivalent pay based on duty in a Uniformed Service. For purposes of this part, it also includes a person who died before attaining age 60 and at the time of his or her death would have been eligible for retired pay as a reservist but for the fact that he or she was not 60 years of age, and had elected to participate in the Survivor Benefit Plan established under 10 U.S.C. chapter 73.
Deductible. Payment by an individual beneficiary or family of a specific first dollar amount of the TRICARE allowable amount for otherwise covered outpatient services or supplies obtained in any program year. The dollar amount of deductible per individual or family is calculated as specified by law.
Deductible certificate. A statement issued to the beneficiary (or sponsor) by a TRICARE contractor certifying to deductible amounts satisfied by a beneficiary for any applicable program year.
Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). An automated system maintained by the Department of Defense for the purpose of:
(1) Enrolling members, former members and their dependents, and
(2) Verifying members’, former members’ and their dependents’ eligibility for health care benefits in the direct care facilities and for CHAMPUS.
Dental care. Services relating to the teeth and their supporting structures.
Dentist. Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) who is licensed to practice dentistry by an appropriate authority.
Dependent. Individuals whose relationship to the sponsor (including NATO members who are stationed in or passing through the United States on official business when authorized) leads to entitlement to benefits under this part. (See § 199.3 of this part for specific categories of dependents).
Deserter or desertion status. A service member is a deserter, or in a desertion status, when the Uniformed Service concerned has made an administrative determination to that effect, or the member’s period of unauthorized absence has resulted in a court-martial conviction of desertion. Administrative declarations of desertion normally are made when a member has been an unauthorized absentee for over 30 days, but particular circumstances may result in an earlier declaration. Entitlement to CHAMPUS benefits ceases as of 12:01 a.m. on the day following the day the desertion status is declared. Benefits are not to be authorized for treatment received during a period of unauthorized absence that results in a court-martial conviction for desertion. Dependent eligibility for benefits is reestablished when a deserter is returned to military control and continues, even though the member may be in confinement, until any discharge is executed. When a deserter status is later found to have been determined erroneously, the status of deserter is considered never to have existed, and the member’s dependents will have been eligible continuously for benefits under CHAMPUS.
Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs). Diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) are a method of dividing hospital patients into clinically coherent groups based on the consumption of resources. Patients are assigned to the groups based on their principal diagnosis (the reason for admission, determined after study), secondary diagnoses, procedures performed, and the patient’s age, sex, and discharge status.
Diagnostic admission. An admission to a hospital or other authorized institutional provider, or an extension of a stay in such a facility, primarily for the purpose of performing diagnostic tests, examinations, and procedures.
Director. The Director of the Defense Health Agency, Director, TRICARE Management Activity, or Director, Office of CHAMPUS. Any references to the Director, Office of CHAMPUS, or OCHAMPUS, or TRICARE Management Activity, shall mean the Director, Defense Health Agency (DHA). Any reference to Director shall also include any person designated by the Director to carry out a particular authority. In addition, any authority of the Director may be exercised by the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs).
Director, OCHAMPUS. An authority of the Director, OCHAMPUS includes any person designated by the Director, OCHAMPUS to exercise the authority involved.
Director, TRICARE Management Activity. This term includes the Director, TRICARE Management Activity, the official sometimes referred to in this part as the Director, Office of CHAMPUS (or OCHAMPUS), or any designee of the Director, TRICARE Management Activity or the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs who is designated for purposes of an action under this part.
Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.). A person who has received a degree in dentistry, that is, that department of the healing arts which is concerned with the teeth, oral cavity, and associated structures.
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.). A person who has graduated from a college of allopathic medicine and who is entitled legally to use the designation M.D.
Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.). A practitioner of osteopathy, that is, a system of therapy based on the theory that the body is capable of making its own remedies against disease and other toxic conditions when it is in normal structural relationship and has favorable environmental conditions and adequate nutrition. It utilizes generally accepted physical, medicinal, and surgical methods of diagnosis and therapy, while placing chief emphasis on the importance of normal body mechanics and manipulative methods of detecting and correcting faulty structure.
Domiciliary care. The term “domiciliary care” means care provided to a patient in an institution or homelike environment because:
(1) Providing support for the activities of daily living in the home is not available or is unsuitable; or
(2) Members of the patient’s family are unwilling to provide the care.
Donor. An individual who supplies living tissue or material to be used in another body, such as a person who furnishes a kidney for renal transplant.
Double coverage. When a CHAMPUS beneficiary also is enrolled in another insurance, medical service, or health plan that duplicates all or part of a beneficiary’s CHAMPUS benefits.
Double coverage plan. The specific insurance, medical service, or health plan under which a CHAMPUS beneficiary has entitlement to medical benefits that duplicate CHAMPUS benefits in whole or in part. Double coverage plans do not include:
(i) Medicaid.
(ii) Coverage specifically designed to supplement CHAMPUS benefits.
(iii) Entitlement to receive care from the Uniformed Services medical facilities;
(iv) Entitlement to receive care from Veterans Administration medical care facilities; or
(v) Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for services and items provided in accordance with Part C of the IDEA that are medically or psychologically necessary in accordance with the Individual Family Service Plan and that are otherwise allowable under the CHAMPUS Basic Program or the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO).
Dual compensation. Federal Law (5 U.S.C. 5536) prohibits active duty members or civilian employees of the United States Government from receiving additional compensation from the government above their normal pay and allowances. This prohibition applies to CHAMPUS cost-sharing of medical care provided by active duty members or civilian government employees to CHAMPUS beneficiaries.
Duplicate equipment. An item of durable equipment, durable medical equipment, or assistive technology items, as defined in this section that serves the same purpose that is served by an item of durable equipment, durable medical equipment, or assistive technology item previously cost-shared by TRICARE. For example, various models of stationary oxygen concentrators with no essential functional differences are considered duplicate equipment, whereas stationary and portable oxygen concentrators are not considered duplicates of each other because the latter is intended to provide the user with mobility not afforded by the former. Also, a manual wheelchair and electric wheelchair, both of which otherwise meet the definition of durable equipment or durable medical equipment, would not be considered duplicates of each other if each is found to provide an appropriate level of mobility. For the purpose of this Part, durable equipment, durable medical equipment, or assistive technology items that are essential in providing a fail-safe in-home life support system or that replace in-like-kind an item of equipment that is not serviceable due to normal wear, accidental damage, a change in the beneficiary’s condition, or has been declared adulterated by the U.S. FDA, or is being or has been recalled by the manufacturer is not considered duplicate equipment.
Durable equipment. Equipment that—
(1) Is a medically necessary item, which can withstand repeated use;
(2) Is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose; and
(3) Is generally not useful to an individual in the absence of an illness or injury. It includes durable medical equipment as defined in § 199.2, wheelchairs, iron lungs, and hospital beds. It does not include equipment (including wheelchairs) used or designed primarily for use in sports or recreational activities.
Durable medical equipment. Durable equipment that is medically appropriate to—
(1) Improve, restore, or maintain the function of a malformed, diseased, or injured body part or can otherwise minimize or prevent the deterioration of the beneficiary’s function or condition; or
(2) Maximize the beneficiary’s function consistent with the beneficiary’s physiological or medical needs.
Economic interest. (1) Any right, title, or share in the income, remuneration, payment, or profit of a CHAMPUS-authorized provider, or of an individual or entity eligible to be a CHAMPUS-authorized provider, resulting, directly or indirectly, from a referral relationship; or any direct or indirect ownership, right, title, or share, including a mortgage, deed of trust, note, or other obligation secured (in whole or in part) by one entity for another entity in a referral or accreditation relationship, which is equal to or exceeds 5 percent of the total property and assets of the other entity.
(2) A referral relationship exists when a CHAMPUS beneficiary is sent, directed, assigned or influenced to use a specific CHAMPUS-authorized provider, or a specific individual or entity eligible to be a CHAMPUS-authorized provider.
(3) An accreditation relationship exists when a CHAMPUS-authorized accreditation organization evaluates for accreditation an entity that is an applicant for, or recipient of CHAMPUS-authorized provider status.
Emergency inpatient admission. An unscheduled, unexpected, medically necessary admission to a hospital or other authorized institutional provider for treatment of a medical condition meeting the definition of medical emergency and which is determined to require immediate inpatient treatment by the attending physician.
Entity. For purposes of § 199.9(f)(1), “entity” includes a corporation, trust, partnership, sole proprietorship or other kind of business enterprise that is or may be eligible to receive reimbursement either directly or indirectly from CHAMPUS.
Essential Access Community Hospital (EACH). A hospital that is designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as an EACH and meets the applicable requirements established by § 199.14(a)(7)(vi).
Extended Care Health Option (ECHO). The TRICARE program of supplemental benefits for qualifying active duty family members as described in § 199.5.
External Partnership Agreement. The External Partnership Agreement is an agreement between a military treatment facility commander and a CHAMPUS authorized institutional provider, enabling Uniformed Services health care personnel to provide otherwise covered medical care to CHAMPUS beneficiaries in a civilian facility under the Military-Civilian Health Services Partnership Program. Authorized costs associated with the use of the facility will be financed through CHAMPUS under normal cost-sharing and reimbursement procedures currently applicable under the basic CHAMPUS.
External Resource Sharing Agreement. A type External Partnership Agreement, established in the context of the TRICARE program by agreement of a military medical treatment facility commander and an authorized TRICARE contractor. External Resource Sharing Agreements may incorporate TRICARE features in lieu of standard CHAMPUS features that would apply to standard External Partnership Agreements.
Extramedical individual providers of care. Individuals who do counseling or nonmedical therapy and whose training and therapeutic concepts are outside the medical field, as specified in § 199.6 of this part.
Extraordinary physical or psychological condition. A complex physical or psychological clinical condition of such severity which results in the beneficiary being homebound as defined in this section.
Facility charge. The term “facility charge” means the charge, either inpatient or outpatient, made by a hospital or other institutional provider to cover the overhead costs of providing the service. These costs would include building costs, i.e. depreciation and interest; staffing costs; drugs and supplies; and overhead costs, i.e., utilities, housekeeping, maintenance, etc.
Former member. An individual who is eligible for, or entitled to, retired pay, at age 60, for non-Regular service in accordance with chapter 1223, title 10, United States Code but who has been discharged and who maintains no military affiliation. These former members, at age 60, and their eligible dependents are entitled to medical care, commissary, exchange, and MWR privileges. Under age 60, they and their eligible dependents are entitled to commissary, exchange, and MWR privileges only.
Former spouse. A former husband or wife of a Uniformed Service member or former member who meets the criteria as set forth in § 199.3(b)(2)(ii) of this part.
Fraud. For purposes of this part, fraud is defined as (1) a deception or misrepresentation by a provider, beneficiary, sponsor, or any person acting on behalf of a provider, sponsor, or beneficiary with the knowledge (or who had reason to know or should have known) that the deception or misrepresentation could result in some unauthorized CHAMPUS benefit to self or some other person, or some unauthorized CHAMPUS payment, or (2) a claim that is false or fictitious, or includes or is supported by any written statement which asserts a material fact which is false or fictitious, or includes or is supported by any written statement that (a) omits a material fact and (b) is false or fictitious as a result of such omission and (c) is a statement in which the person making, presenting, or submitting such statement has a duty to include such material fact. It is presumed that, if a deception or misrepresentation is established and a CHAMPUS claim is filed, the person responsible for the claim had the requisite knowledge. This presumption is rebuttable only by substantial evidence. It is further presumed that the provider of the services is responsible for the actions of all individuals who file a claim on behalf of the provider (for example, billing clerks); this presumption may only be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence.
Freestanding. Not “institution-affiliated” or “institution-based.”
Full-time course of higher education. A complete, progressive series of studies to develop attributes such as knowledge, skill, mind, and character, by formal schooling at a college or university, and which meets the criteria set out in § 199.3 of this part. To qualify as full-time, the student must be carrying a course load of a minimum of 12 credit hours or equivalent each semester.
General staff nursing service. All nursing care (other than that provided by private duty nurses) including, but not limited to, general duty nursing, emergency room nursing, recovery room nursing, intensive nursing care, and group nursing arrangements performed by nursing personnel on the payroll of the hospital or other authorized institution.
Good faith payments. Those payments made to civilian sources of medical care who provided medical care to persons purporting to be eligible beneficiaries but who are determined later to be ineligible for CHAMPUS benefits. (The ineligible person usually possesses an erroneous or illegal identification card.) To be considered for good faith payments, the civilian source of care must have exercised reasonable precautions in identifying a person claiming to be an eligible beneficiary.
Habilitation. The provision of functional capacity, absent from birth due to congenital anomaly or developmental disorder, which facilitates performance of an activity in the manner, or within the range considered normal, for a human being.
Handicap. For the purposes of this part, the term “handicap” is synonymous with the term “disability.”
High-risk pregnancy. A pregnancy is high-risk when the presence of a currently active or previously treated medical, anatomical, physiological illness or condition may create or increase the likelihood of a detrimental effect on the mother, fetus, or newborn and presents a reasonable possibility of the development of complications during labor or delivery.
Homebound. A beneficiary’s condition is such that there exists a normal inability to leave home and, consequently, leaving home would require considerable and taxing effort. Any absence of an individual from the home attributable to the need to receive health care treatment—including regular absences for the purpose of participating in therapeutic, psychosocial, or medical treatment in an adult day-care program that is licensed or certified by a state, or accredited to furnish adult day-care services in the—state shall not disqualify an individual from being considered to be confined to his home. Any other absence of an individual from the home shall not disqualify an individual if the absence is infrequent or of relatively short duration. For purposes of the preceding sentence, any absence for the purpose of attending a religious service shall be deemed to be an absence of infrequent or short duration. Also, absences from the home for non-medical purposes, such as an occasional trip to the barber, a walk around the block or a drive, would not necessarily negate the beneficiary’s homebound status if the absences are undertaken on an infrequent basis and are of relatively short duration. An exception is made to the above homebound definitional criteria for beneficiaries under the age of 18 and those receiving maternity care. The only homebound criteria for these special beneficiary categories is written certification from a physician attesting to the fact that leaving the home would place the beneficiary at medical risk. In addition to the above, absences, whether regular or infrequent, from the beneficiary’s primary residence for the purpose of attending an educational program in a public or private school that is licensed and/or certified by a state, shall not negate the beneficiary’s homebound status.
Home health discipline. One of six home health disciplines covered under the home health benefit (skilled nursing services, home health aide services, physical therapy services, occupational therapy services, speech-language pathology services, and medical social services).
Home health market basket index. An index that reflects changes over time in the prices of an appropriate mix of goods and services included in home health services.
Hospice care. Hospice care is a program which provides an integrated set of services and supplies designed to care for the terminally ill. This type of care emphasizes palliative care and supportive services, such as pain control and home care, rather than cure-oriented services provided in institutions that are otherwise the primary focus under CHAMPUS. The benefit provides coverage for a humane and sensible approach to care during the last days of life for some terminally ill patients.
Hospital, acute care (general and special). An institution that meets the criteria as set forth in § 199.6(b)(4)(i) of this part.
Hospital, psychiatric. An institution that meets the criteria as set forth in § 199.6(b)(4)(ii) of this part.
Illegitimate child. A child not recognized as a lawful offspring; that is, a child born of parents not married to each other.
Immediate family. The spouse, natural parent, child and sibling, adopted child and adoptive parent, stepparent, stepchild, grandparent, grandchild, stepbrother and stepsister, father-in-law, mother-in-law of the beneficiary, or provider, as appropriate. For purposes of this definition only, to determine who may render services to a beneficiary, the step-relationship continues to exist even if the marriage upon which the relationship is based terminates through divorce or death of one of the parents.
Independent laboratory. A freestanding laboratory approved for participation under Medicare and certified by the Health Care Financing Administration.
Infirmaries. Facilities operated by student health departments of colleges and universities to provide inpatient or outpatient care to enrolled students. When specifically approved by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, a boarding school infirmary also is included.
Initial determination. A formal written decision on a CHAMPUS claim, a request for benefit authorization, a request by a provider for approval as an authorized CHAMPUS provider, or a decision disqualifying or excluding a provider as an authorized provider under CHAMPUS. Rejection of a claim or a request for benefit or provider authorization for failure to comply with administrative requirements, including failure to submit reasonably requested information, is not an initial determination. Responses to general or specific inquiries regarding CHAMPUS benefits are not initial determinations.
In-out surgery. Surgery performed in the outpatient department of a hospital or other institutional provider, in a physician’s office or the office of another individual professional provider, in a clinic, or in a “freestanding” ambulatory surgical center which does not involve a formal inpatient admission for a period of 24 hours or more.
Inpatient. A patient who has been admitted to a hospital or other authorized institution for bed occupancy for purposes of receiving necessary medical care, with the reasonable expectation that the patient will remain in the institution at least 24 hours, and with the registration and assignment of an inpatient number or designation. Institutional care in connection with in and out (ambulatory) surgery is not included within the meaning of inpatient whether or not an inpatient number or designation is made by the hospital or other institution. If the patient has been received at the hospital, but death occurs before the actual admission occurs, an inpatient admission exists as if the patient had lived and had been formally admitted.
Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF). A facility classified by CMS as an IRF and meets the applicable requirements established by § 199.6(b)(4)(xx) (which includes the requirement to be a Medicare participating provider).
Institution-affiliated. Related to a CHAMPUS-authorized institutional provider through a shared governing body but operating under a separate and distinct license or accreditation.
Institution-based. Related to a CHAMPUS-authorized institutional provider through a shared governing body and operating under a common license and shared accreditation.
Institutional provider. A health care provider which meets the applicable requirements established by § 199.6(b) of this part.
Intensive care unit (ICU). A special segregated unit of a hospital in which patients are concentrated by reason of serious illness, usually without regard to diagnosis. Special lifesaving techniques and equipment regularly and immediately are available within the unit, and patients are under continuous observation by a nursing staff specially trained and selected for the care of this type patient. The unit is maintained on a continuing rather than an intermittent or temporary basis. It is not a postoperative recovery room nor a postanesthesia room. In some large or highly specialized hospitals, the ICUs may be further refined for special purposes, such as for respiratory conditions, cardiac surgery, coronary care, burn care, or neurosurgery. For the purposes of CHAMPUS, these specialized units would be considered ICUs if they otherwise conformed to the definition of an ICU.
Intensive outpatient program (IOP). A treatment setting capable of providing an organized day or evening program that includes assessment, treatment, case management and rehabilitation for individuals not requiring 24-hour care for mental health disorders, to include substance use disorders, as appropriate for the individual patient. The program structure is regularly scheduled, individualized and shares monitoring and support with the patient’s family and support system.
Intern. A graduate of a medical or dental school serving in a hospital in preparation to being licensed to practice medicine or dentistry.
Internal Partnership Agreement. The Internal Partnership Agreement is an agreement between a military treatment facility commander and a CHAMPUS-authorized civilian health care provider which enables the use of civilian health care personnel or other resources to provide medical care to CHAMPUS beneficiaries on the premises of a military treatment facility under the Military-Civilian Health Services Partnership Program. These internal agreements may be established when a military treatment facility is unable to provide sufficient health care services for CHAMPUS beneficiaries due to shortages of personnel and other required resources.
Internal Resource Sharing Agreement. A type of Internal Partnership Agreement, established in the context of the TRICARE program by agreement of a military medical treatment facility commander and authorized TRICARE contractor. Internal Resource Sharing Agreements may incorporate TRICARE features in lieu of standard CHAMPUS features that would apply to standard Internal Partnership Agreements.
Item, Service, or Supply. Includes (1) any item, device, medical supply, or service claimed to have been provided to a beneficiary (patient) and listed in an itemized claim for CHAMPUS payment or a request for payment, or (2) in the case of a claim based on costs, any entry or omission in a cost report, books of account, or other documents supporting the claim.
Laboratory and pathological services. Laboratory and pathological examinations (including machine diagnostic tests that produce hard-copy results) when necessary to, and rendered in connection with medical, obstetrical, or surgical diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury, or in connection with well-baby care.
Legitimized child. A formerly illegitimate child who is considered legitimate by reason of qualifying actions recognized in law.
Licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.). A person who is prepared specially in the scientific basis of nursing; who is a graduate of a school of practical nursing; whose qualifications have been examined by a state board of nursing; and who has been authorized legally to practice as an L.P.N. under the supervision of a physician.
Licensed vocational nurse (L.V.N.) A person who specifically is prepared in the scientific basis or nursing; who is a graduate of a school of vocational nursing; whose qualifications have been examined by a state board of nursing; and who has been authorized legally to practice as a L.V.N. under the supervision of a physician.
Long Term Care Hospital (LTCH). A hospital that is classified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as an LTCH and meets the applicable requirements established by § 199.6(b)(4)(v) (which includes the requirement to be a Medicare participating provider).
Low-risk pregnancy. A pregnancy is low-risk when the basis for the ongoing clinical expectation of a normal uncomplicated birth, as defined by reasonable and generally accepted criteria of maternal and fetal health, is documented throughout a generally accepted course of prenatal care.
Major life activity. Breathing, cognition, hearing, seeing, and age appropriate ability essential to bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, speaking, stair use, toilet use, transferring, and walking.
Marriage and family therapist, certified. An extramedical individual provider who meets the requirements outlined in § 199.6.
Maternity care. Care and treatment related to conception, delivery, and abortion, including prenatal and postnatal care (generally through the 6th post-delivery week), and also including treatment of the complications of pregnancy.
Medicaid. Those medical benefits authorized under Title XIX of the Social Security Act provided to welfare recipients and the medically indigent through programs administered by the various states.
Medical. The generally used term which pertains to the diagnosis and treatment of illness, injury, pregnancy, and mental disorders by trained and licensed or certified health professionals. For purposes of CHAMPUS, the term “medical” should be understood to include “medical, psychological, surgical, and obstetrical,” unless it is specifically stated that a more restrictive meaning is intended.
Medical emergency. The sudden and unexpected onset of a medical condition or the acute exacerbation of a chronic condition that is threatening to life, limb, or sight, and requires immediate medical treatment or which manifests painful symptomatology requiring immediate palliative efforts to alleviate suffering. Medical emergencies include heart attacks, cardiovascular accidents, poisoning, convulsions, kidney stones, and such other acute medical conditions as may be determined to be medical emergencies by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee. In the case of a pregnancy, a medical emergency must involve a sudden and unexpected medical complication that puts the mother, the baby, or both, at risk. Pain would not, however, qualify a maternity case as an emergency, nor would incipient birth after the 34th week of gestation, unless an otherwise qualifying medical condition is present. Examples of medical emergencies related to pregnancy or delivery are hemorrhage, ruptured membrane with prolapsed cord, placenta previa, abruptio placenta, presence of shock or unconsciousness, suspected heart attack or stroke, or trauma (such as injuries received in an automobile accident).
Medically or psychologically necessary preauthorization. A pre (or prior) authorization for payment for medical/surgical or psychological services based upon criteria that are generally accepted by qualified professionals to be reasonable for diagnosis and treatment of an illness, injury, pregnancy, and mental disorder.
Medical supplies and dressings (consumables). Necessary medical or surgical supplies (exclusive of durable medical equipment) that do not withstand prolonged, repeated use and that are needed for the proper medical management of a condition for which benefits are otherwise authorized under CHAMPUS, on either an inpatient or outpatient basis. Examples include disposable syringes for a diabetic, colostomy sets, irrigation sets, and ace bandages.
Medically or psychologically necessary. The frequency, extent, and types of medical services or supplies which represent appropriate medical care and that are generally accepted by qualified professionals to be reasonable and adequate for the diagnosis and treatment of illness, injury, pregnancy, and mental disorders or that are reasonable and adequate for well-baby care.
Medicare. These medical benefits authorized under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act provided to persons 65 or older, certain disabled persons, or persons with chronic renal disease, through a national program administered by the DHHS, Health Care Financing Administration, Medicare Bureau.
Medication assisted treatment (MAT). MAT for diagnosed opioid use disorder is a holistic modality for recovery and treatment that employs evidence-based therapy, including psychosocial treatments and psychopharmacology, and FDA-approved medications as indicated for the management of withdrawal symptoms and maintenance.
Member. An individual who is affiliated with a Service, either an active duty member, Reserve member, active duty retired member, or Retired Reserve member. Members in a retired status are not former members. Also referred to as the sponsor.
Mental disorder, to include substance use disorder. For purposes of the payment of CHAMPUS benefits, a mental disorder is a nervous or mental condition that involves a clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndrome or pattern that is associated with a painful symptom, such as distress, and that impairs a patient’s ability to function in one or more major life activities. A substance use disorder is a mental condition that involves a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress; impaired control over substance use; social impairment; and risky use of a substance(s). Additionally, the mental disorder must be one of those conditions listed in the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. “Conditions Not Attributable to a Mental Disorder,” or V codes, are not considered diagnosable mental disorders. Co-occurring mental and substance use disorders are common and assessment should proceed as soon as it is possible to distinguish the substance related symptoms from other independent conditions.
Mental health therapeutic absence. A therapeutically planned absence from the inpatient setting. The patient is not discharged from the facility and may be away for periods of several hours to several days. The purpose of the therapeutic absence is to give the patient an opportunity to test his or her ability to function outside the inpatient setting before the actual discharge.
Missing in action (MIA). A battle casualty whose whereabouts and status are unknown, provided the absence appears to be involuntary and the service member is not known to be in a status of unauthorized absence.
Claims for eligible CHAMPUS beneficiaries whose sponsor is classified as MIA are processed as dependents of an active duty service member.
Morbid obesity. A body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 40 kilograms per meter squared (kg/m
Body mass index is equal to weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.
Most-favored rate. The lowest usual charge to any individual or third-party payer in effect on the date of the admission of a CHAMPUS beneficiary.
Natural childbirth. Childbirth without the use of chemical induction or augmentation of labor or surgical procedures other than episiotomy or perineal repair.
Naturopath. A person who practices naturopathy, that is, a drugless system of therapy making use of physical forces such as air, light, water, heat, and massage.
Services of a naturopath are not covered by CHAMPUS.
NAVCARE clinics. Contractor owned, staffed, and operated primary clinics exclusively serving uniformed services beneficiaries pursuant to contracts awarded by a Military Department.
No-fault insurance. No-fault insurance means an insurance contract providing compensation for health and medical expenses relating to personal injury arising from the operation of a motor vehicle in which the compensation is not premised on whom may have been responsible for causing such injury. No-fault insurance includes personal injury protection and medical payments benefits in cases involving personal injuries resulting from operation of a motor vehicle.
Nonavailability statement. A certification by a commander (or a designee) of a Uniformed Services medical treatment facility, recorded on DEERS, generally for the reason that the needed medical care being requested by a non-TRICARE Prime enrolled beneficiary cannot be provided at the facility concerned because the necessary resources are not available in the time frame needed.
Nonparticipating provider. A hospital or other authorized institutional provider, a physician or other authorized individual professional provider, or other authorized provider that furnished medical services or supplies to a CHAMPUS beneficiary, but who did not agree on the CHAMPUS claim form to participate or to accept the CHAMPUS-determined allowable cost or charge as the total charge for the services. A nonparticipating provider looks to the beneficiary or sponsor for payment of his or her charge, not CHAMPUS. In such cases, CHAMPUS pays the beneficiary or sponsor, not the provider.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member. A military member of an armed force of a foreign NATO nation who is on active duty and who, in connection with official duties, is stationed in or passing through the United States. The foreign NATO nations are Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
Not-for-profit entity. An organization or institution owned and operated by one or more nonprofit corporations or associations formed pursuant to applicable state laws, no part of the net earnings of which inures, or may lawfully inure, to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.
Occupational therapist. A person who is trained specially in the skills and techniques of occupational therapy (that is, the use of purposeful activity with individuals who are limited by physical injury of illness, psychosocial dysfunction, developmental or learning disabilities, poverty and cultural differences, or the aging process in order to maximize independence, prevent disability, and maintain health) and who is licensed to administer occupational therapy treatments prescribed by a physician.
Off-label use of a drug or device. A use other than an intended use for which the prescription drug, biologic or device is legally marketed under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or the Public Health Services Act. This includes any use that is not included in the approved labeling for an approved drug, licensed biologic, approved device or combination product; any use that is not included in the cleared statement of intended use for a device that has been determined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be substantially equivalent to a legally marketed predicate device and cleared for marketing; and any use of a device for which a manufacturer or distributor would be required to seek pre-market review by the FDA in order to legally include that use in the device’s labeling.
Office-based opioid treatment. TRICARE authorized providers acting within the scope of their licensure or certification to prescribe outpatient supplies of the medication to assist in withdrawal management (detoxification) and/or maintenance of opioid use disorder, as regulated by 42 CFR part 8, addressing office-based opioid treatment (OBOT).
Official formularies. A book of official standards for certain pharmaceuticals and preparations that are not included in the U.S. Pharmacopeia.
Opioid Treatment Program. Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) are service settings for opioid treatment, either free standing or hospital based, that adhere to the Department of Health and Human Services’ regulations at 42 CFR part 8 and use medications indicated and approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Treatment in OTPs provides a comprehensive, individually tailored program of medication therapy integrated with psychosocial and medical treatment and support services that address factors affecting each patient, as certified by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Treatment in OTPs can include management of withdrawal symptoms (detoxification) from opioids and medically supervised withdrawal from maintenance medications. Patients receiving care for substance use and co-occurring disorders care can be referred to, or otherwise concurrently enrolled in, OTPs.
Optometrist (Doctor of Optometry). A person trained and licensed to examine and test the eyes and to treat visual defects by prescribing and adapting corrective lenses and other optical aids, and by establishing programs of exercises.
Oral surgeon (D.D.S. or D.M.D.). A person who has received a degree in dentistry and who limits his or her practice to oral surgery, that is, that branch of the healing arts that deals with the diagnosis and the surgical correction and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects of the mouth, the jaws, and associated structures.
Orthopedic shoes. Shoes prescribed by an orthopedic surgeon to effect changes in foot or feet position and alignment and which are not an integral part of a brace.
Other allied health professionals. Individual professional providers other than physicians, dentists, or extramedical individual providers, as specified in § 199.6 of this part.
Other special institutional providers. Certain specialized medical treatment facilities, either inpatient or outpatient, other than those specifically defined, that provide courses of treatment prescribed by a doctor of medicine or osteopathy; when the patient is under the supervision of a doctor of medicine or osteopathy during the entire course of the inpatient admission or the outpatient treatment; when the type and level of care and services rendered by the institution are otherwise authorized in this part; when the facility meets all licensing or other certification requirements that are extant in the jurisdiction in which the facility is located geographically; which is accredited by the Joint Commission or other accrediting organization approved by the Director if an appropriate accreditation program for the given type of facility is available; and which is not a nursing home, intermediate facility, halfway house, home for the aged, or other institution of similar purpose.
Outpatient. A patient who has not been admitted to a hospital or other authorized institution as an inpatient.
Ownership or control interest. For purposes of § 199.9(f)(1), a “person with an ownership or control interest” is anyone who
(1) Has directly or indirectly a 5 percent or more ownership interest in the entity; or
(2) Is the owner of a whole or part interest in any mortgage, deed of trust, note, or other obligation secured (in whole or in part) by the entity or any of the property or assets thereof, which whole or part interest is equal to or exceeds 5 percent of the total property and assets of the entity; or
(3) Is an officer or director of the entity if the entity is organized as a corporation; or
(4) Is a partner in the entity if the entity is organized as a partnership.
Partial hospitalization. A treatment setting capable of providing an interdisciplinary program of medically monitored therapeutic services, to include management of withdrawal symptoms, as medically indicated. Services may include day, evening, night and weekend treatment programs which employ an integrated, comprehensive and complementary schedule of recognized treatment approaches. Partial hospitalization is a time-limited, ambulatory, active treatment program that offers therapeutically intensive, coordinated, and structured clinical services within a stable therapeutic environment. Partial hospitalization is an appropriate setting for crisis stabilization, treatment of partially stabilized mental disorders, to include substance disorders, and a transition from an inpatient program when medically necessary.
Participating provider. A CHAMPUS-authorized provider that is required, or has agreed by entering into a CHAMPUS participation agreement or by act of indicating “accept assignment” on the claim form, to accept the CHAMPUS-allowable amount as the maximum total charge for a service or item rendered to a CHAMPUS beneficiary, whether the amount is paid for fully by CHAMPUS or requires cost-sharing by the CHAMPUS beneficiary.
Part-time or intermittent home health aide and skilled nursing services. Part-time or intermittent means skilled nursing and home health aide services furnished any number of days per week as long as they are furnished (combined) less than 8 hours each day and 28 or fewer hours each week (or, subject to review on a case-bay-case basis as to the need for care, less than 8 hours each day and 35 or fewer hours per week).
Party to a hearing. An appealing party or parties and CHAMPUS.
Party to the initial determination. Includes CHAMPUS and also refers to a CHAMPUS beneficiary and a participating provider of services whose interests have been adjudicated by the initial determination. In addition, a provider who has been denied approval as an authorized CHAMPUS provider is a party to that initial determination, as is a provider who is disqualified or excluded as an authorized provider under CHAMPUS, unless the provider is excluded based on a determination of abuse or fraudulent practices or procedures under another federal or federally funded program. See § 199.10 for additional information concerning parties not entitled to administrative review under the CHAMPUS appeals and hearing procedures.
Pastoral counselor. An extramedical individual provider who meets the requirements outlined in § 199.6.
Pharmaceutical Agent. Drugs, biological products, and medical devices under the regulatory authority of the Food and Drug Administration.
Pharmacist. A person who is trained specially in the scientific basis of pharmacology and who is licensed to prepare and sell or dispense drugs and compounds and to make up prescriptions ordered by a physician.
Physical medicine services or physiatry services. The treatment of disease or injury by physical means such as massage, hydrotherapy, or heat.
Physical therapist. A person who is trained specially in the skills and techniques of physical therapy (that is, the treatment of disease by physical agents and methods such as heat, massage, manipulation, therapeutic exercise, hydrotherapy, and various forms of energy such as electrotherapy and ultrasound), who has been authorized legally (that is, registered) to administer treatments prescribed by a physician and who is entitled legally to use the designation “Registered Physical Therapist.” A physical therapist also may be called a physiotherapist.
Physician. A person with a degree of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) who is licensed to practice medicine by an appropriate authority.
Physician in training. Interns, residents, and fellows participating in approved postgraduate training programs and physicians who are not in approved programs but who are authorized to practice only in a hospital or other institutional provider setting, e.g., individuals with temporary or restricted licenses, or unlicensed graduates of foreign medical schools.
Podiatrist (Doctor of Podiatry or Surgical Chiropody). A person who has received a degree in podiatry (formerly called chiropody), that is, that specialized field of the healing arts that deals with the study and care of the foot, including its anatomy, pathology, and medical and surgical treatment.
Preauthorization. A decision issued in writing, or electronically by the Director, TRICARE Management Activity, or a designee, that TRICARE benefits are payable for certain services that a beneficiary has not yet received. The term prior authorization is commonly substituted for preauthorization and has the same meaning.
Prescription drugs and medicines. Drugs and medicines which at the time of use were approved for commercial marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and which, by law of the United States, require a physician’s or dentist’s prescription, except that it includes insulin for known diabetics whether or not a prescription is required. Drugs grandfathered by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938 may be covered under CHAMPUS as if FDA approved. Prescription drugs and medicines may also be referred to as “pharmaceutical agents”.
The fact that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for testing on humans would not qualify it within this definition.
Preventive care. Diagnostic and other medical procedures not related directly to a specific illness, injury, or definitive set of symptoms, or obstetrical care, but rather performed as periodic health screening, health assessment, or health maintenance.
Primary caregiver. An individual who renders to a beneficiary services to support the activities of daily living (as defined in § 199.2) and specific services essential to the safe management of the beneficiary’s condition.
Primary payer. The plan or program whose medical benefits are payable first in a double coverage situation.
PRIMUS clinics. Contractor owned, staffed, and operated primary care clinics exclusively serving uniformed services beneficiaries pursuant to contracts awarded by a Military Department.
Private room. A room with one bed that is designated as a private room by the hospital or other authorized institutional provider.
Profound hearing loss (adults). An “adult” (a spouse as defined in section 32 CFR 199.3(b) of this part of a member of the Uniformed Services on active duty for more than 30 days) with a hearing threshold of:
(1) 40 dB HL or greater in one or both ears when tested at 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 3,000, or 4,000Hz; or
(2) 26 dB HL or greater in one or both ears at any three or more of those frequencies; or
(3) A speech recognition score less than 94 percent.
Profound hearing loss (children). A “child” (an unmarried child of an active duty member who otherwise meets the criteria (including age requirements) in 32 CFR 199.3 of this part) with a 26dB HL or greater hearing threshold level in one or both ears when tested in the frequency range at 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 or 4,000 Hz.
Program year. The appropriate year (e.g., calendar year, fiscal year, rolling 12-month period, etc.) specified in the administration of TRICARE programs for application of unique requirements or limitations (e.g., enrollment fees, deductibles, catastrophic loss protection, etc.) on covered health care services obtained or provided during the designated time period.
Progress notes. Progress notes are an essential component of the medical record wherein health care personnel provide written evidence of ordered and supervised diagnostic tests, treatments, medical procedures, therapeutic behavior and outcomes. In the case of mental health care, progress notes must include: the date of the therapy session; length of the therapy session; a notation of the patient’s signs and symptoms; the issues, pathology and specific behaviors addressed in the therapy session; a statement summarizing the therapeutic interventions attempted during the therapy session; descriptions of the response to treatment, the outcome of the treatment, and the response to significant others; and a statement summarizing the patient’s degree of progress toward the treatment goals. Progress notes do not need to repeat all that was said during a therapy session but must document a patient contact and be sufficiently detailed to allow for both peer review and audits to substantiate the quality and quantity of care rendered.
Prosthetic device (prosthesis). An artificial substitute for a missing body part.
Prosthetic or Prosthetic device (prosthesis). A prosthetic or prosthetic device (prosthesis) determined by the Secretary of Defense to be necessary because of significant conditions resulting from trauma, congenital anomalies, or diseases.
Prosthetic supplies. Supplies that are necessary for the effective use of a prosthetic or prosthetic device.
Provider. A hospital or other institutional provider, a physician, or other individual professional provider, or other provider of services or supplies as specified in § 199.6 of this part.
Provider exclusion and suspension. The terms “exclusion” and “suspension”, when referring to a provider under CHAMPUS, both mean the denial of status as an authorized provider, resulting in items, services, or supplies furnished by the provider not being reimbursed, directly or indirectly, under CHAMPUS. The terms may be used interchangeably to refer to a provider who has been denied status as an authorized CHAMPUS provider based on (1) a criminal conviction or civil judgment involving fraud, (2) an administrative finding of fraud or abuse under CHAMPUS, (3) an administrative finding that the provider has been excluded or suspended by another agency of the Federal Government, a state, or a local licensing authority, (4) an administrative finding that the provider has knowingly participated in a conflict of interest situation, or (5) an administrative finding that it is in the best interests of the CHAMPUS or CHAMPUS beneficiaries to exclude or suspend the provider.
Provider termination. When a provider’s status as an authorized CHAMPUS provider is ended, other than through exclusion or suspension, based on a finding that the provider does not meet the qualifications, as set forth in § 199.6 of this part, to be an authorized CHAMPUS provider.
Psychiatric emergency. A psychiatric inpatient admission is an emergency when, based on a psychiatric evaluation performed by a physician (or other qualified mental health care professional with hospital admission authority), the patient is at immediate risk of serious harm to self or others as a result of a mental disorder and requires immediate continuous skilled observation at the acute level of care.
Public facility. A public authority or entity legally constituted within a State (as defined in this section) to administer, control or perform a service function for public health, education or human services programs in a city, county, or township, special district, or other political subdivision, or such combination of political subdivisions or special districts or counties as are recognized as an administrative agency for a State’s public health, education or human services programs, or any other public institution or agency having administrative control and direction of a publicly funded health, education or human services program.
Public facility adequacy. An available public facility shall be considered adequate when the Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, determines that the quality, quantity, and frequency of an available service or item otherwise allowable as a CHAMPUS benefit is sufficient to meet the beneficiary’s specific disability related need in a timely manner.
Public facility availability. A public facility shall be considered available when the public facility usually and customarily provides the requested service or item to individuals with the same or similar disability related need as the otherwise equally qualified CHAMPUS beneficiary.
Qualified accreditation organization. A not-for-profit corporation or a foundation that:
(1) Develops process standards and outcome standards for health care delivery programs, or knowledge standards and skill standards for health care professional certification testing, using experts both from within and outside of the health care program area or individual specialty to which the standards are to be applied;
(2) Creates measurable criteria that demonstrate compliance with each standard;
(3) Publishes the organization’s standards, criteria and evaluation processes so that they are available to the general public;
(4) Performs on-site evaluations of health care delivery programs, or provides testing of individuals, to measure the extent of compliance with each standard;
(5) Provides on-site evaluation or individual testing on a national or international basis;
(6) Provides to evaluated programs and tested individuals time-limited written certification of compliance with the organization’s standards;
(7) Excludes certification of any program operated by an organization which has an economic interest, as defined in this section, in the accreditation organization or in which the accreditation organization has an economic interest;
(8) Publishes promptly the certification outcomes of each program evaluation or individual test so that it is available to the general public; and
(9) Has been found by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, to apply standards, criteria, and certification processes which reinforce CHAMPUS provider authorization requirements and promote efficient delivery of CHAMPUS benefits.
Qualified mental health provider. Psychiatrists or other physicians; clinical psychologists, certified psychiatric nurse specialists, certified clinical social workers, certified marriage and family therapists, TRICARE certified mental health counselors, pastoral counselors under a physician’s supervision, and supervised mental health counselors under a physician’s supervision.
Radiation therapy services. The treatment of diseases by x-ray, radium, or radioactive isotopes when ordered by the attending physician.
Rare diseases. TRICARE/CHAMPUS defines a rare disease as any disease or condition that has a prevalence of less than 200,000 persons in the United States.
Referral. The act or an instance of referring a TRICARE beneficiary to another authorized provider to obtain necessary medical treatment. Generally, when a referral is required to qualify health care as a covered benefit, only a TRICARE-authorized physician may make such a referral unless this regulation specifically allows another category of TRICARE-authorized provider to make a referral as allowed within the scope of the provider’s license. In addition to referrals which may be required for certain health care to be a covered TRICARE benefit, the TRICARE Prime program under § 199.17 generally requires Prime enrollees to obtain a referral for care through a primary care manager (PCM) or other authorized care coordinator to avoid paying higher deductible and cost-sharing for otherwise covered TRICARE benefits.
Registered nurse. A person who is prepared specially in the scientific basis of nursing, who is a graduate of a school of nursing, and who is registered for practice after examination by a state board of nurse examiners or similar regulatory authority, who holds a current, valid license, and who is entitled legally to use the designation R.N.
Rehabilitation. The reduction of an acquired loss of ability to perform an activity in the manner, or within the range considered normal, for a human being.
Rehabilitative therapy. Any rehabilitative therapy that is necessary to improve, restore, or maintain function, or to minimize or prevent deterioration of function, of a patient and prescribed by a physician.
Reliable evidence. (1) As used in § 199.4(g)(15), the term reliable evidence means only:
(i) Well controlled studies of clinically meaningful endpoints, published in refereed medical literature.
(ii) Published formal technology assessments.
(iii) The published reports of national professional medical associations.
(iv) Published national medical policy organization positions; and
(v) The published reports of national expert opinion organizations.
(2) The hierarchy of reliable evidence of proven medical effectiveness, established by (1) through (5) of this paragraph, is the order of the relative weight to be given to any particular source. With respect to clinical studies, only those reports and articles containing scientifically valid data and published in the refereed medical and scientific literature shall be considered as meeting the requirements of reliable evidence. Specifically not included in the meaning of reliable evidence are reports, articles, or statements by providers or groups of providers containing only abstracts, anecdotal evidence or personal professional opinions. Also not included in the meaning of reliable evidence is the fact that a provider or a number of providers have elected to adopt a drug, device, or medical treatment or procedure as their personal treatment or procedure of choice or standard of practice.
Representative. Any person who has been appointed by a party to the initial determination as counsel or advisor and who is otherwise eligible to serve as the counsel or advisor of the party to the initial determination, particularly in connection with a hearing.
Reservist. A person who is under an active duty call or order to one of the Uniformed Services for a period of 30 days or less or is on inactive training.
Resident (medical). A graduate physician or dentist who has an M.D. or D.O. degree, or D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree, respectively, is licensed to practice, and who choose to remain on the house staff of a hospital to get further training that will qualify him or her for a medical or dental specialty.
Residential treatment center (RTC). A facility (or distinct part of a facility) which meets the criteria in § 199.6(b)(4)(vii).
Respite care. Respite care is short-term care for a patient in order to provide rest and change for those who have been caring for the patient at home, usually the patient’s family.
Retired category. Retirees and their family members who are beneficiaries covered by 10 U.S.C. 1086(c), other than Medicare-eligible beneficiaries as described in 10 U.S.C. 1086(d).
Retiree. For ease of reference in this part only, and except as otherwise specified in this part, the term means a member or former member of a Uniformed Service who is entitled to retired, retainer, or equivalent pay based on duty in a Uniformed Service.
Routine eye examinations. The services rendered in order to determine the refractive state of the eyes.
Sanction. For purpose of § 199.9, “sanction” means a provider exclusion, suspension, or termination.
Secondary payer. The plan or program whose medical benefits are payable in double coverage situations only after the primary payer has adjudicated the claim.
Semiprivate room. A room containing at least two beds. If a room is designated publicly as a semiprivate accommodation by the hospital or other authorized institutional provider and contains multiple beds, it qualifies as a semiprivate room for the purposes of CHAMPUS.
Serious physical disability. Any physiological disorder or condition or anatomical loss affecting one or more body systems which has lasted, or with reasonable certainty is expected to last, for a minimum period of 12 contiguous months, and which precludes the person with the disorder, condition or anatomical loss from unaided performance of at least one Major Life Activity as defined in this section.
Skilled nursing facility. An institution (or a distinct part of an institution) that meets the criteria as set forth in § 199.6(b)(4)(vi).
Skilled nursing services. Skilled nursing services includes application of professional nursing services and skills by an RN, LPN, or LVN, that are required to be performed under the general supervision/direction of a TRICARE-authorized physician to ensure the safety of the patient and achieve the medically desired result in accordance with accepted standards of practice.
Sole community hospital (SCH). A hospital that is designated by CMS as an SCH and meets the applicable requirements established by § 199.6(b)(4)(xvii).
Spectacles, eyeglasses, and lenses. Lenses, including contact lenses, that help to correct faulty vision.
Speech generating device (SGD). See Augmentative Communication Device.
Sponsor. A member or former member of a Uniformed Service upon whose status his or her dependents’ eligibility for CHAMPUS is based. A sponsor also includes a person who, while a member of the Uniformed Services and after becoming eligible to be retired on the basis of years of service, has his or her eligibility to receive retired pay terminated as a result of misconduct involving abuse of a spouse or dependent child. It also includes NATO members who are stationed in or passing through the United States on official business when authorized. It also includes individuals eligible for CHAMPUS under the Transitional Assistance Management Program.
Spouse. A lawful husband or wife, who meets the criteria in § 199.3 of this part, regardless of whether or not dependent upon the member or former member for his or her own support.
State. For purposes of this part, any of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and each territory and possession of the United States.
State victims of crime compensation programs. Benefits available to victims of crime under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act.
Student status. A dependent of a member or former member of a Uniformed Service who has not passed his or her 23rd birthday, and is enrolled in a full-time course of study in an institution of higher learning.
Substance use disorder rehabilitation facility (SUDRF). A facility or a distinct part of a facility that meets the criteria in § 199.6(b)(4)(xiv).
Supervised mental health counselor. An extramedical individual provider who meets the requirements outlined in § 199.6.
Supplemental insurance plan. A health insurance policy or other health benefit plan offered by a private entity to a CHAMPUS beneficiary, that primarily is designed, advertised, marketed, or otherwise held out as providing payment for expenses incurred for services and items that are not reimbursed under CHAMPUS due to program limitations, or beneficiary liabilities imposed by law. CHAMPUS recognizes two types of supplemental plans, general indemnity plans, and those offered through a direct service health maintenance organization (HMO).
(1) An indemnity supplemental insurance plan must meet all of the following criteria:
(i) It provides insurance coverage, regulated by state insurance agencies, which is available only to beneficiaries of CHAMPUS.
(ii) It is premium based and all premiums relate only to the CHAMPUS supplemental coverage.
(iii) Its benefits for all covered CHAMPUS beneficiaries are predominantly limited to non-covered services, to the deductible and cost-shared portions of the pre-determined allowable charges, and/or to amounts exceeding the allowable charges for covered services.
(iv) It provides insurance reimbursement by making payment directly to the CHAMPUS beneficiary or to the participating provider.
(v) It does not operate in a manner which results in lower deductibles or cost-shares than those imposed by law, or that waives the legally imposed deductibles or cost-shares.
(2) A supplemental insurance plan offered by a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) must meet all of the following criteria:
(i) The HMO must be authorized and must operate under relevant provisions of state law.
(ii) The HMO supplemental plan must be premium based and all premiums must relate only to CHAMPUS supplemental coverage.
(iii) The HMO’s benefits, above those which are directly reimbursed by CHAMPUS, must be limited predominantly to services not covered by CHAMPUS and CHAMPUS deductible and cost-share amounts.
(iv) The HMO must provide services directly to CHAMPUS beneficiaries through its affiliated providers who, in turn, are reimbursed by CHAMPUS.
(v) The HMO’s premium structure must be designed so that no overall reduction in the amount of the beneficiary deductibles or cost-shares will result.
Suppliers of portable X-ray services. A supplier that meets the conditions of coverage of the Medicare program, set forth in the Medicare regulations (42 CFR 405.1411 through 405.1416 (as amended)) or the Medicaid program in the state in which the covered service is provided.
Surgery. Medically appropriate operative procedures, including related preoperative and postoperative care; reduction of fractures and dislocations; injections and needling procedures of the joints; laser surgery of the eye; and those certain procedures listed in § 199.4(c)(2)(i) of this part.
Surgical assistant. A physician (or dentist or podiatrist) who assists the operating surgeon in the performance of a covered surgical service when such assistance is certified as necessary by the attending surgeon, when the type of surgical procedure being performed is of such complexity and seriousness as to require a surgical assistant, and when interns, residents, or other house staff are not available to provide the surgical assistance services in the specialty area required.
Suspension of claims processing. The temporary suspension of processing (to protect the government’s interests) of claims for care furnished by a specific provider (whether the claims are submitted by the provider or beneficiary) or claims submitted by or on behalf of a specific CHAMPUS beneficiary pending action by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, in a case of suspected fraud or abuse. The action may include the administrative remedies provided for in § 199.9 or any other Department of Defense issuance (e.g. DoD issuances implementing the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act), case development or investigation by OCHAMPUS, or referral to the Department of Defense-Inspector General or the Department of Justice for action within their cognizant jurisdictions.
Teaching physician. A teaching physician is any physician whose duties include providing medical training to physicians in training within a hospital or other institutional provider setting.
Telephonic consultations: A covered consultation service conducted via telephone call between TRICARE-authorized providers, including a verbal and written report to the patient’s treating/requesting physician or other TRICARE-authorized provider.
Telephonic office visits. A covered service provided via a telephone call between a beneficiary who is an established patient and a TRICARE-authorized provider. See § 199.4.
Third-party billing agent. Any entity that acts on behalf of a provider to prepare, submit and monitor claims, excluding those entities that act solely as a collection agency.
Third-party payer. Third-payer means an entity that provides an insurance, medical service, or health plan by contract or agreement, including an automobile liability insurance or no fault insurance carrier and a worker’s compensation program or plan, and any other plan or program (e.g., homeowners insurance) that is designed to provide compensation or coverage for expenses incurred by a beneficiary for medical services or supplies. For purposes of the definition of “third-party payer,” an insurance, medical service, or health plan includes a preferred provider organization, an insurance plan described as Medicare supplemental insurance, and a personal injury protection plan or medical payments benefit plan for personal injuries resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle.
TRICARE is secondary payer to all third-party payers. Under limited circumstances described in § 199.8(c)(2) of this part, TRICARE payment may be authorized to be paid in advance of adjudication of the claim by certain third-party payers. TRICARE advance payments will not be made when a third-party provider is determined to be a primary medical insurer under § 199.8(c)(3) of this part.”
Timely filing. The filing of CHAMPUS claims within the prescribed time limits as set forth in § 199.7 of this part.
Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP). The program established under 10 U.S.C. § 1145(a) and § 199.3(e) of this part.
Treatment plan. A detailed description of the medical care being rendered or expected to be rendered a CHAMPUS beneficiary seeking approval for inpatient and other benefits for which preauthorization is required as set forth in § 199.4(b). Medical care described in the plan must meet the requirements of medical and psychological necessity. A treatment plan must include, at a minimum, a diagnosis (either current International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) or current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)); detailed reports of prior treatment, medical history, family history, social history, and physical examination; diagnostic test results; consultant’s reports (if any); proposed treatment by type (such as surgical, medical, and psychiatric); a description of who is or will be providing treatment (by discipline or specialty); anticipated frequency, medications, and specific goals of treatment; type of inpatient facility required and why (including length of time the related inpatient stay will be required); and prognosis. If the treatment plan involves the transfer of a CHAMPUS patient from a hospital or another inpatient facility, medical records related to that inpatient stay also are required as a part of the treatment plan documentation.
TRICARE certified mental health counselor. An allied health professional who meets the requirements outlined in § 199.6.
TRICARE Extra. The preferred-provider option of the TRICARE program made available prior to January 1, 2018, under which TRICARE Standard beneficiaries may obtain discounts on cost sharing as a result of using TRICARE network providers.
TRICARE for Life. The Medicare wraparound coverage option of the TRICARE program made available to an eligible beneficiary by reason of 10 U.S.C. 1086(d).
TRICARE Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS). OPPS is a hospital outpatient prospective payment system, based on nationally established APC payment amounts and standardized for geographic wage differences that includes operating and capital-related costs that are directly related and integral to performing a procedure or furnishing a service in a hospital outpatient department.
TRICARE Prime. The managed care option of the TRICARE program established under § 199.17.
TRICARE program. The program established under § 199.17.
TRICARE Reserve Select. The program established under 10 U.S.C. 1076d and § 199.24 of this Part.
TRICARE Retired Reserve. The program established under 10 U.S.C. 1076e and § 199.25.
TRICARE Select. The self-managed, preferred-provider network option under the TRICARE Program established by 10 U.S.C. 1075 and § 199.17 to replace TRICARE Extra and Standard after December 31, 2017.
TRICARE Standard. The TRICARE program made available prior to January 1, 2018, covering health benefits contracted for under the authority of 10 U.S.C. section 1079(a) or 1086(a) and subject to the same rates and conditions as apply to persons covered under those sections.
TRICARE Young Adult. The program authorized by and described in § 199.26 of this part.
Uniform HMO benefit. The health care benefit established by § 199.18.
Uniformed Services. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Commissioned Corps of the USPHS, and the Commissioned Corps of the NOAA.
Veteran. A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.
Unless the veteran is eligible for “retired pay,” “retirement pay,” or “retainer pay,” which refers to payments of a continuing nature and are payable at fixed intervals from the government for military service neither the veteran nor his or her dependents are eligible for benefits under CHAMPUS.
Waiver of benefit limits. Extension of current benefit limitations under the Case Management Program, of medical care, services, and/or equipment, not otherwise a benefit under the TRICARE/CHAMPUS program.
Well-child care. A specific program of periodic health screening, developmental assessment, and routine immunization for dependents under six years of age.
Widow or Widower. A person who was a spouse at the time of death of a member or former member and who has not remarried.
Worker’s compensation benefits. Medical benefits available under any worker’s compensation law (including the Federal Employees Compensation Act), occupational disease law, employers liability law, or any other legislation of similar purpose, or under the maritime doctrine of maintenance, wages, and cure.
X-ray services. An x-ray examination from which an x-ray film or other image is produced, ordered by the attending physician when necessary and rendered in connection with a medical or surgical diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury, or in connection with maternity or well-baby care.
§ 199.3 Eligibility.
(a) General. This section sets forth those persons who, by the provisions of 10 U.S.C. chapter 55, and the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, are eligible for CHAMPUS benefits. A determination that a person is eligible does not automatically entitle such a person to CHAMPUS payments. Before any CHAMPUS benefits may be extended, additional requirements, as set forth in other sections of this part, must be met. Additionally, the use of CHAMPUS may be denied if a Uniformed Service medical treatment facility capable of providing the needed care is available. CHAMPUS relies primarily on the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) for eligibility verification.
(b) CHAMPUS eligibles—(1) Retiree. A member or former member of a Uniformed Service who is entitled to retired, retainer, or equivalent pay based on duty in a Uniformed Service.
(2) Dependent. Individuals whose relationship to the sponsor leads to entitlement to benefits. CHAMPUS eligible dependents include the following:
(i) Spouse. A lawful husband or wife of a member or former member. The spouse of a deceased member or retiree must not be remarried. A former spouse also may qualify for benefits as a dependent spouse. A former spouse is a spouse who was married to a military member, or former member, but whose marriage has been terminated by a final decree of divorce, dissolution or annulment. To be eligible for CHAMPUS benefits, a former spouse must meet the criteria described in paragraphs (b)(2)(i)(A) through (b)(2)(i)(E) of this section and must qualify under the group defined in paragraph (b)(2)(i)(F)(1) or (b)(2)(i)(F)(2) of this section.
(A) Must be unremarried; and
(B) Must not be covered by an employer-sponsored health plan; and
(C) Must have been married to a member or former member who performed at least 20 years of service which can be credited in determining the member’s or former member’s eligibility for retired or retainer pay; and
(D) Must not be eligible for Part A of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare) except as provided in paragraphs (b)(3), (f)(3)(vii), (f)(3)(viii), and (f)(3)(ix) of this section; and
(E) Must not be the dependent of a NATO member; and
(F) Must meet the requirements of paragraph (b)(2)(i)(F)(1) or (b)(2)(i)(F)(2) of this section:
(1) The former spouse must have been married to the same member or former member for at least 20 years, at least 20 of which were creditable in determining the member’s or former member’s eligibility for retired or retainer pay. Eligibility continues indefinitely unless affected by any of the conditions of paragraphs (b)(2)(i)(A) through (b)(2)(i)(E) of this section.
(i) If the date of the final decree of divorce, dissolution, or annulment was before February 1, 1983, the former spouse is eligible for CHAMPUS coverage of health care received on or after January 1, 1985.
(ii) If the date of the final decree of the divorce, dissolution, or annulment was on or after February 1, 1983, the former spouse is eligible for CHAMPUS coverage of health care which is received on or after the date of the divorce, dissolution, or annulment.
(2) The former spouse must have been married to the same member or former member for at least 20 years, and at least 15, but less than 20 of those married years were creditable in determining the member’s or former member’s eligibility for retired or retainer pay.
(i) If the date of the final decree of divorce, dissolution, or annulment is before April 1, 1985, the former spouse is eligible only for care received on or after January 1, 1985, or the date of the divorce, dissolution, or annulment, whichever is later. Eligibility continues indefinitely unless affected by any of the conditions of paragraphs (b)(2)(i)(A) through (b)(2)(i)(E) of this section.
(ii) If the date of the final decree of divorce, dissolution or annulment is on or after April 1, 1985, but before September 29, 1988, the former spouse is eligible only for care received from the date of the decree of divorce, dissolution, or annulment until December 31, 1988, or for two years from the date of the divorce, dissolution, or annulment, whichever is later.
(iii) If the date of the final decree of divorce, dissolution, or annulment is on or after September 29, 1988, the former spouse is eligible only for care received within the 365 days (366 days in the case of a leap year) immediately following the date of the divorce, dissolution, or annulment.
(ii) Child. A dependent child is an unmarried child of a member or former member who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday, except an incapacitated adopted child meeting the requirements of paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(H)(2) of this section, and who bears one of the following relationships to a member or former member of one of the Uniformed Services:
(A) A legitimate child; or
(B) An adopted child whose adoption has been legally completed on or before the child’s twenty-first (21st) birthday; or
(C) A legitimate stepchild; or
(D) An illegitimate child of a member or former member whose paternity/maternity has been determined judicially, and the member or former member directed to support the child; or
(E) An illegitimate child of a member or former member whose paternity/maternity has not been determined judicially, who resides with or in the home provided by the member or former member, and is or continues to be dependent upon the member or former member for over one-half of his or her support, or who was so dependent on the former member at the time of the former member’s death; or
(F) An illegitimate child of a spouse of a member who resides with or in a home provided by the member and is, and continues to be dependent upon the member for over one-half of his or her support; or
(G) An illegitimate child of a spouse of a former member who resides with or in a home provided by a former member or the former member’s spouse at the time of death of the former member, and is, or continues to be, or was, dependent upon the former member for more than one-half of his or her support at the time of death; or
(H) An individual who falls into one of the following classes:
(1) A student. A child determined to be a member of one of the classes in paragraphs (b)(2)(ii)(A) through (b)(2)(ii)(G) of this section, who is not married, has passed his or her 21st birthday but has not passed his or her 23rd birthday, is dependent upon the member or former member for over 50 percent of his or her support or was dependent upon the member or former member for over 50 percent of his or her support on the date of the member’s or former member’s death, and is pursuing a full-time course of education in an institution of higher learning approved by the Secretary of Defense or the Department of Education (as appropriate) or by a state agency under 38 U.S.C. chapters 34 and 35.
Courses of education offered by institutions listed in the “Education Directory,” “Higher Education” or “Accredited Higher Institutions” issued periodically by the Department of Education meet the criteria approved by the Administering Secretary or the Secretary of Education. For determination of approval of courses offered by a foreign institution, by an institution not listed in either of the above directories, or by an institution not approved by a state agency pursuant to 38 U.S.C. chapters 34 and 35, a statement may be obtained from the Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202.
(2) An incapacitated child. A child determined to be a member of one of the classes in paragraphs (b)(2)(ii)(A) through (b)(2)(ii)(G) of this section, who is not married and is incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability that:
(i) Existed before the child’s twenty-first (21st) birthday; or
(ii) Occurred between the ages of 21 and 23 while the child was enrolled in a full-time course of study in an institution of higher learning approved by the Administering Secretary or the Department of Education (see NOTE to paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(H)(2)(iii) of this section), and is or was at the time of the member’s or former member’s death dependent on the member or former member for over one-half of his or her support; and
(iii) The incapacity is continuous. (If the incapacity significantly improves or ceases at any time, CHAMPUS eligibility cannot be reinstated on the basis of the incapacity, unless the incapacity recurs and the beneficiary is under age 21, or is under age 23 and is enrolled as a full-time student under paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(H)(2)(ii) of this section. If the child was not incapacitated after that date, no CHAMPUS eligibility exists on the basis of the incapacity. However, incapacitated children who marry and who subsequently become unmarried through divorce, annulment, or death of spouse, may be reinstated as long as they still meet all other requirements).
An institution of higher learning is a college, university, or similar institution, including a technical or business school, offering post-secondary level academic instruction that leads to an associate or higher degree, if the school is empowered by the appropriate State education authority under State law to grant an associate, or higher, degree. When there is no State law to authorize the granting of a degree, the school may be recognized as an institution of higher learning if it is accredited for degree programs by a recognized accrediting agency. The term also shall include a hospital offering educational programs at the post-secondary level regardless of whether the hospital grants a post-secondary degree. The term also shall include an educational institution that is not located in a State, that offers a course leading to a standard college degree, or the equivalent, and that is recognized as such by the Secretary of Education (or comparable official) of the country, or other jurisdiction, in which the institution is located (38 U.S.C. chapter 34, section 1661, and chapter 35, section 1701.
Courses of education offered by institutions listed in the “Education Directory,” “Higher Education” or “Accredited Higher Institutions” issued periodically by the Department of Education meet the criteria approved by the Administering Secretary or the Secretary of Education. For determination of approval of courses offered by a foreign institution, by an institution not listed in either of the above directories, or by an institution not approved by a state agency pursuant to chapters 34 and 35 of 38 U.S.C., a statement may be obtained from the Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202.
(3) A child of a deceased reservist. A child, who is determined to be a member of one of the classes in paragraphs (b)(2)(ii)(A) through (b)(2)(ii)(G) of this section, of a reservist in a Uniformed Service who incurs or aggravates an injury, illness, or disease, during, or on the way to or from, active duty training for a period of 30 days or less or inactive duty training, and the reservist dies as a result of that specific injury, illness or disease.
(4) An unmarried person. An unmarried person placed in the home of a member or former member prior to adoption. To be a dependent child, the unmarried person must not have reached the age of 21 (or otherwise meets the requirements of a student or incapacitated child set out in paragraphs (b)(2)(ii)(H)(1) or (b)(2)(ii)(H)(2) of this section) and has been placed in the home of the member or former member by a recognized placement agency or by any other source authorized by State or local law to provide adoption placement, in anticipation of legal adoption by the member or former member.
(iii) Abused dependents—(A) Categories of abused dependents. An abused dependent may be either a spouse or a child. Eligibility for either class of abused dependent results from being either:
(1) The spouse (including a former spouse) or child of a member who has received a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge, or dismissal from a Uniformed Service as a result of a court-martial conviction for an offense involving physical or emotional abuse of the spouse or child, or was administratively discharged as a result of such an offense. Until October 17, 1998, Medical benefits are limited to care related to the physical or emotional abuse and for a period of 12 months following the member’s separation from the Uniformed Service. On or after October 17, 1998, medical benefits can include all under the Basic Program and under the Extended Care Health Option for the period that the spouse or child is in receipt of transitional compensation under section 1059 of title 10 U.S.C.
(2) The spouse (including a former spouse) or child of a member or former member who while a member and as a result of misconduct involving abuse of the spouse or child has eligibility to receive retired pay on the basis of years of service terminated.
(B) Requirements for categories of abused dependents—(1) Abused spouse. As long as the spouse is receiving payments from the DoD Military Retirement Fund under court order, the spouse is eligible for health care under the same conditions as any spouse of a retired member. The abused spouse must:
(i) Under paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(A)(1) of this section, be a lawful husband or wife or a former spouse of the member; or
(ii) Under paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(A)(2) of this section, be a lawful husband or wife or a former spouse of the member or former member, and the spouse is receiving payments from the Department of Defense Military Retirement Fund under 10 U.S.C. 1408(h) pursuant to a court order; and
(A) Be a victim of the abuse; and
(B) Have been married to the member or former member at the time of the abuse; or
(C) Be the natural or adoptive parent of a dependent child of the member or former member who was the victim of the abuse.
(2) Abused child. The abused child must:
(i) Under paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(A)(1) of this section, be a dependent child of the member or former member.
(ii) Under paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(A)(2) of this section,
(A) Have been a member of the household where the abuse occurred; and
(B) Be an unmarried legitimate child, including an adopted child or stepchild of the member or former member; and
(C) Be under the age of 18; or
(D) Be incapable of self support because of a mental or physical incapacity that existed before becoming 18 years of age and be dependent on the member or former member for over one-half of his or her support; or
(E) If enrolled in a full-time course of study in an institution of higher learning recognized by the Secretary of Defense (for the purposed of 10 U.S.C. 1408(h)), be under 23 years of age and be dependent on the member or former member for over one-half of his or her support.
(F) The dependent child is eligible for health care, regardless of whether any court order exists, under the same conditions as any dependent of a retired member.
(3) TAMP eligibles. A former member, including his or her dependents, who is eligible under the provisions of the Transitional Assistance Management Program as described in paragraph (e) of this § 199.3.
(iv) An unmarried person who is placed in the legal custody of a member or former member by a court of competent jurisdiction in the United States (or possession of the United States) for a period of at least 12 consecutive months. The unmarried person shall be considered a dependent of the member or former member under this section provided he or she otherwise meets the following qualifications:
(A) Has not reached the age of 21 unless he or she otherwise meets the requirements of a student set out in paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(H)(1) of this section or the requirements for being incapacitated as set out in paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(H)(2) of this section and the incapacitation occurred while he or she was a dependent of the member or former member through court ordered legal custody;
(B) Is dependent on the member or former member for over one-half of the person’s support;
(C) Resides with the member or former member unless separated by the necessity of military service or to receive institutional care as a result of disability or incapacitation or under such other authorized circumstances; and,
(D) Is not a dependent of a member or former member under any other provision of law or regulation.
(3) Eligibility under TRICARE Senior Pharmacy Program. Section 711 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Public Law 106-398, 114 Stat. 1654) established the TRICARE Senior Pharmacy Program effective April 1, 2001. To be eligible for this program, a person is required to be:
(i) Medicare eligible, who is:
(A) 65 years of age or older; and
(B) Entitled to Medicare Part A; and
(C) Enrolled in Medicare Part B, except for a person who attained age 65 prior to April 1, 2001, is not required to enroll in Part B; and
(ii) Otherwise qualified under one of the following categories:
(A) A retired uniformed service member who is entitled to retired or retainer pay, or equivalent pay including survivors who are annuitants; or
(B) A dependent of a member of the uniformed services described in one of the following:
(1) A member who is on active duty for a period of more than 30 days or died while on such duty; or
(2) A member who died from an injury, illness, or disease incurred or aggravated while the member was:
(i) On active duty under a call or order to active duty of 30 days or less, on active duty for training, or on inactive duty training; or
(ii) Traveling to or from the place at which the member was to perform or had performed such active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.
Dependent under Section 711 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 includes spouse, unremarried widow/widower, child, parent/parent-in-law, unremarried former spouse, and unmarried person in the legal custody of a member or former member, as those terms of dependency are defined and periods of eligibility are set forth in 10 U.S.C. 1072(2).
(4) Medal of Honor recipients. (i) A former member of the armed forces who is a Medal of Honor recipient and who is not otherwise entitled to medical and dental benefits has the same CHAMPUS eligibility as does a retiree.
(ii) Immediate dependents. CHAMPUS eligible dependents of a Medal of Honor Recipient are those identified in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) of this section (except for former spouses) and (b)(2)(ii) of this section (except for a child placed in legal custody of a Medal of Honor recipient under (b)(2)(ii)(H)(4) of this section).
(iii) Effective date. The CHAMPUS eligibility established by paragraphs (b)(4)(i) and (ii) of this section is applicable to health care services provided on or after October 30, 2000.
(5) Reserve Component Members issued delayed-effective-date orders—(i) Member. A member of a reserve component of the armed forces who is ordered to active duty for a period of more than 30 consecutive days in support of a contingency operation under a provision of law referred to in section 101(a)(13)(B) of Title 10, United States Code, that provides for active-duty service to begin on a date after the date of the issuance of the order.
(ii) Dependents. CHAMPUS eligible dependents under this paragraph (b)(5) are those identified in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) (except former spouses) and (b)(2)(ii) of this section.
(iii) Effective date. The eligibility established by paragraphs (b)(5)(i) and (ii) of this section shall begin on or after November 6, 2003, and shall be effective on the later of the date that is:
(A) The date of issuance of the order referred to in paragraph (b)(5)(i) of this section; or
(B) 180 days before the date on which the period of active duty is to begin.
(iv) Termination date. The eligibility established by paragraphs (b)(5)(i) and (ii) of this section ends upon entry of the member onto active duty (at which time CHAMPUS eligibility for the dependents of the member is established under paragraph (b)(2) of this section) or upon cancellation or amendment of the orders referred to in paragraph (b)(5)(i) of this section such that they no longer meet the requirements of that paragraph (b)(5)(i).
(c) Beginning dates of eligibility. (1) Beginning dates of eligibility depend on the class to which the individual belongs and the date the individual became a member of the class. Those who join after the class became eligible attain individual eligibility on the date they join.
(2) Beginning dates of eligibility for each class of spouse (excluding spouses who are victims of abuse and eligible spouses of certain deceased reservists) are as follows:
(i) A spouse of a member for:
(A) Medical benefits authorized by the Dependents’ Medical Care Act of 1956, December 7, 1956;
(B) Outpatient medical benefits under the Basic Program, October 1, 1966;
(C) Inpatient medical benefits under the Basic Program and benefits under the Extended Care Health Option, January 1, 1967;
(ii) A spouse of a former member:
(A) For medical benefits under the Basic Program, January 1, 1967.
(B) Ineligible for benefits under the Extended Care Health Option.
(iii) A former spouse:
(A) For medical benefits under the Basic Program, dates of beginning eligibility are as indicated for each category of eligible former spouse identified within paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section.
(B) Ineligible for benefits under the Extended Care Health Option.
(3) Beginning dates of eligibility for spouses who are victims of abuse (excluding spouses who are victims of abuse of certain deceased reservists) are as follows:
(i) An abused spouse meeting the requirements of paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(A)(1) of this section, including an eligible former spouse:
(A) For medical and dental care for problems associated with the physical or emotional abuse under the Basic Program for a period of up to one year (12 months) following the person’s separation from the Uniformed Service, November 14, 1986.
(B) For all medical and dental benefits under the Basic Program for the period that the spouse is in receipt of transitional compensation under section 1059 of title 10 U.S.C., October 17, 1998.
(C) For medical and dental care for problems associated with the physical or emotional abuse under the Extended Care Health Option for a period up to one year (12 months) following the person’s separation from the Uniformed Service, November 14, 1986.
(D) For all medical and dental benefits described in section 199.5 for the period that the spouse is in receipt of transitional compensation under section 1059 of title 10 U.S.C., October 17, 1998.
(ii) An abused spouse meeting the requirements of paragraphs (b)(2)(iii)(A)(2) of this section, including an eligible former spouse:
(A) For all benefits under the CHAMPUS Basic Program, October 23, 1992.
(B) Ineligible for benefits under the Extended Care Health Option.
(4) Beginning dates of eligibility for spouses of certain deceased reservists, including spouses who are victims of abuse of certain deceased reservists, are as follows:
(i) A spouse meeting the requirements of paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, including an eligible former spouse:
(A) For benefits under the Basic Program, November 14, 1986.
(B) Ineligible for benefits under the Extended Care Health Option.
(ii) An abused spouse of certain deceased reservists, meeting the requirements of paragraphs (b)(2)(iii) of this section, including an eligible former spouse, for the limited benefits and period of eligibility described in paragraphs (b)(2)(iii) of this section:
(A) For benefits under the Basic Program, November 14, 1986.
(B) For benefits under the Extended Care Health Option, November 14, 1986.
(iii) An abused spouse of certain deceased reservists, including an eligible former spouse, meeting the requirements of paragraphs (b)(2)(iii) of this section:
(A) For benefits under the Basic Program, October 23, 1992.
(B) Ineligible for benefits under the Extended Care Health Option.
(5) Beginning dates of eligibility for each class of dependent children, (excluding dependent children of certain deceased reservists, abused children and incapacitated children whose incapacity occurred between the ages of 21 and 23 while enrolled in a full-time course of study in an institution of higher learning), are as follows:
(i) Legitimate child, adopted child, or legitimate stepchild of a member, for:
(A) Medical benefits authorized by the Dependents’ Medical Care Act of 1956, December 7, 1956;
(B) Outpatient medical benefits under the Basic Program, October 1, 1966;
(C) Inpatient medical benefits under the Basic Program and benefits under the Extended Care Health Option, January 1, 1967;
(ii) Legitimate child, adopted child or legitimate stepchild of former members:
(A) For medical benefits under the Basic Program, January 1, 1967.
(B) Ineligible for benefits under the Extended Care Health Option.
(iii) Illegitimate child of a male or female member or former member whose paternity/maternity has been determined judicially and the member or former member has been directed to support the child, for:
(A) All benefits for which otherwise entitled, August 31, 1972.
(B) Extended Care Health Option benefits limited to dependent children of members only, August 31, 1972.
(iv) Illegitimate child of:
(A) A male member or former member whose paternity has not been determined judicially:
(B) A female member or former member who resides with, or in a home provided by the member or former member, or who was residing in a home provided by the member or former member at the time of the member’s or former member’s death, and who is or continues to be dependent on the member for over one-half of his or her support, or was so dependent on the member or former member at the time of death;
(C) A spouse of a member or former member who resides with or in a home provided by the member or former member, or the parent who is the spouse of the member or former member or was the spouse of a member or former member at the time of death, and who is and continues to be dependent upon the member or former member for over one-half of his or her support, or was so dependent on the member or former member at the time of death; for:
(1) All benefits for which otherwise eligible, January 1, 1969.
(2) Extended Care Health Option limited to dependent children of members only, January 1, 1969.
(6) Beginning dates of eligibility for children of certain deceased reservists who meet the requirements of paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(H)(3) of this section, excluding incapacitated children who meet the requirements of paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(H)(2) of this section, for:
(i) Benefits under the Basic program, November 14, 1986.
(ii) Not eligible for benefits under the Extended Care Health Option.
(7) Beginning dates of eligibility for children who are victims of abuse, including incapacitated children who meet the requirements of paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(H)(2) of this section are as follows:
(i) An abused child meeting the requirements of paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(A)(1) of this section:
(A) Medical and dental care for problems associated with the physical or emotional abuse under the Basic Program for a period of up to one year (12 months) following the person’s separation from the Uniformed Service, November 14, 1986.
(B) For all medical and dental benefits under the Basic Program for the period that the child is in receipt of transitional compensation under section 1059 of title 10 U.S.C., October 17, 1998.
(C) Medical and dental care for problems associated with the physical or emotional abuse under the Extended Care Health Option for a period up to one year (12 months) following the person’s separation from the Uniformed Service, November 14, 1986.
(D) For all medical and dental benefits described in section 199.5 for the period that the child is in receipt of transitional compensation under section 1059 of title 10 U.S.C., October 17, 1998.
(ii) An abused child meeting the requirements of paragraphs (b)(2)(iii)(A)(2) of this section:
(A) For all benefits under the CHAMPUS Basic Program, October 23, 1992.
(B) Ineligible for benefits under the Extended Care Health Option.
(8) Beginning dates of eligibility for incapacitated children who meet the requirements of paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(H)(2) of this section, whose incapacity occurred between the ages of 21 and 23 while enrolled in a full-time course of study in an institution of higher learning approved by the Administering Secretary or the Department of Education, and, are or were at the time of the member’s or former member’s death, dependent on the member or former member for over one-half of their support, for:
(i) All benefits for which otherwise entitled, October 23, 1992.
(ii) Extended Care Health Option benefits limited to children of members only, October 23, 1992.
(9) Beginning dates of eligibility for a child who meets the requirements of paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(H)(4) and:
(i) Has been placed in custody by a court:
(A) All benefits for which entitled, July 1, 1994.
(B) Extended Care Health Option benefits limited to children of members only, July 1, 1994.
(ii) Has been placed in custody by a recognized adoption agency:
(A) All benefits for which entitled, October 5, 1994.
(B) Extended Care Health Option benefits limited to children of members only, October 5, 1994.
(iii) Has been placed in the home of a member by a placement agency or by any other source authorized by State or local law to provide adoption placement, in anticipation of the legal adoption of the member:
(A) All benefits for which entitled, January 6, 2006.
(B) Extended Care Health Option benefits limited to children of members only, January 6, 2006.
(10) Beginning dates of eligibility for a retiree for:
(i) Medical benefits under the Basic Program January 1, 1967.
(ii) Retirees and their dependents are not eligible for benefits under the Extended Care Health Option.
(d) Dual eligibility. Dual eligibility occurs when a person is entitled to benefits from two sources. For example, when an active duty member is also the dependent of another active duty member, a retiree, or a deceased active duty member or retiree, dual eligibility, that is, entitlement to direct care from the Uniformed Services medical care system and CHAMPUS is the result. Since the active duty status is primary, and it is the intent that all medical care be provided an active duty member through the Uniformed Services medical care system, CHAMPUS eligibility is terminated as of 12:01 a.m. on the day following the day the dual eligibility begins. However, any dependent children in a marriage of two active duty persons or of an active duty member and a retiree, are CHAMPUS eligible in the same manner as dependent children of a marriage involving only one CHAMPUS sponsor. Should a spouse or dependent who has dual eligibility leave active duty status, that person’s CHAMPUS eligibility is reinstated as of 12:01 a.m. of the day active duty ends, if he or she otherwise is eligible as a dependent of a CHAMPUS sponsor.
No CHAMPUS eligibility arises as the result of the marriage of two active duty members.
(e) Eligibility under the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP). (1) A member of the armed forces is eligible for transitional health care if the member is:
(i) A member who is involuntarily separated from active duty.
(ii) A member of a Reserve component who is separated from active duty to which called or ordered in support of a contingency operation if the active duty is active duty for a period of more than 30 consecutive days.
(iii) A member who is separated from active duty for which the member is involuntarily retained under 10 U.S.C. 12305 in support of a contingency operation; or
(iv) A member who is separated from active duty served pursuant to a voluntary agreement of the member to remain on active duty for a period of less than 1 year in support of a contingency operation.
(v) A member who receives a sole survivorship discharge (as defined in section 1174(i) of this title).
(vi) A member who is separated from Active Duty who agrees to become a member of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve of a reserve component.
(2) A spouse (as described in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section except former spouses) and child (as described in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section) of a member described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section is also eligible for TAMP benefits under TRICARE.
(3) TAMP benefits under TRICARE begin on the day after the member is separated from active duty, and, if such separation occurred on or after November 6, 2003, end 180 days after such date. TRICARE benefits available to both the member and eligible family members are generally those available to family members of members of the uniformed services under this Part. However, during TAMP eligibility, a member of a Reserve Component as described in paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section, is entitled to dental care to which a member of the uniformed services on active duty for more than 30 days is entitled. Each branch of service will determine eligibility for its members and eligible family members and provide data to DEERS.
(f) Changes in status which result in termination of CHAMPUS eligibility. Changes in status which result in a loss of CHAMPUS eligibility as of 12:01 a.m. of the day following the day the event occurred, unless otherwise indicated, are as follows:
(1) Changes in the status of a member. (i) When an active duty member’s period of active duty ends, excluding retirement or death.
(ii) When an active duty member is placed on desertion status (eligibility is reinstated when the active duty member is removed from desertion status and returned to military control).
A member serving a sentence of confinement in conjunction with a sentence of punitive discharge is still considered on active duty until such time as the discharge is executed.
(2) Changes in the status of a retiree. (i) When a retiree ceases to be entitled to retired, retainer, or equivalent pay for any reason, the retiree’s dependents lose their eligibility unless the dependent is otherwise eligible (e.g., some former spouses, some dependents who are victims of abuse and some incapacitated children as outlined in paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(H)(2) of this section).
(ii) A retiree also loses eligibility when no longer entitled to retired, retainer, or equivalent pay.
A retiree who waives his or her retired, retainer or equivalent pay is still considered a retiree for the purposes of CHAMPUS eligibility.
(iii) Attainment of entitlement to hospital insurance benefits (Part A) under Medicare except as provided in paragraphs (b)(3), (f)(3)(vii), (f)(3)(viii) and (f)(3)(ix) of this section.
(3) Changes in the status of a dependent. (i) Divorce, except for certain classes of former spouses as provided in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section and the member or former member’s own children (i.e., legitimate, adopted, and judicially determined illegitimate children).
An unadopted stepchild loses eligibility as of 12:01 a.m. of the day following the day the divorce becomes final.
(ii) Annulment, except for certain classes of former spouse as provided in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section and the member or former member’s own children (i.e., legitimate, adopted, and judicially determined illegitimate children).
An unadopted stepchild loses eligibility as of 12:01 a.m. of the day following the day the annulment becomes final.
(iii) Adoption, except for adoptions occurring after the death of a member or former member.
(iv) Marriage of a child, except when the marriage is terminated by death, divorce, or annulment before the child is 21 or 23 if an incapacitated child as provided in paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(H)(2) of this section.
(v) Marriage of a widow or widower, except for the child of the widow or widower who was the stepchild of the deceased member or former member at the time of death. The stepchild continues CHAMPUS eligibility as other classes of dependent children.
(vi) Attainment of entitlement to hospital insurance benefits (Part A) under Medicare except as provided in paragraphs (b)(3), (f)(3)(vii), (f)(3)(viii), and (f)(3)(ix) of this section. (This also applies to individuals living outside the United States where Medicare benefits are not available.)
(vii) Attainment of age 65, except for dependents of active duty members, beneficiaries not entitled to part A of Medicare, beneficiaries entitled to Part A of Medicare who have enrolled in Part B of Medicare, and as provided in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. For those who do not retain CHAMPUS, CHAMPUS eligibility is lost at 12:01 a.m. on the first day of the month in which the beneficiary becomes entitled to Medicare.
If the person is not eligible for Part A of Medicare, he or she must file a Social Security Administration, “Notice of Disallowance” certifying to that fact with the Uniformed Service responsible for the issuance of his or her identification card so a new card showing CHAMPUS eligibility can be issued. Individuals entitled only to supplementary medical insurance (Part B) of Medicare, but not Part A, or Part A through the Premium HI provisions (provided for under the 1972 Amendments to the Social Security Act) retain eligibility under CHAMPUS (refer to § 199.8 for additional information when a double coverage situation is involved).
(viii) End stage renal disease. All beneficiaries, except dependents of active duty members, lose their CHAMPUS eligibility when Medicare coverage becomes available to a person because of chronic renal disease unless the following conditions have been met. CHAMPUS eligibility will continue if:
(A) The individual is under 65 years old;
(B) The individual became eligible for Medicare under the provisions of 42 U.S.C. 426-1(a);
(C) The individual is enrolled in Part B of Medicare; and
(D) The individual has applied and qualified for continued CHAMPUS eligibility through the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
(ix) Individuals with certain disabilities. Each case relating to Medicare eligibility resulting from being disabled requires individual investigation. All beneficiaries except dependents of active duty members lose their CHAMPUS eligibility when Medicare coverage becomes available to a disabled person unless the following conditions have been met. CHAMPUS eligibility will continue if:
(A) The individual is under 65 years old;
(B) The individual became eligible for Medicare under the provisions of 42 U.S.C. 426(b)(2);
(C) The individual is enrolled in Part B of Medicare except that in the case of a retroactive determination of entitlement to Medicare Part A hospital insurance benefits for a person under 65 years of age there is no requirement to enroll in Medicare Part B from the Medicare Part A entitlement date until the issuance of such retroactive determination; and
(D) The individual has applied and qualified for continued CHAMPUS eligibility through the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
(x) Disabled students, that is children age 21 or 22, who are pursuing a full-time course of higher education and who, either during the school year or between semesters, suffer a disabling illness or injury with resultant inability to resume attendance at the institution remain eligible for CHAMPUS medical benefits for 6 months after the disability is removed or until the student passes his or her 23rd birthday, whichever occurs first. However, if recovery occurs before the 23rd birthday and there is resumption of a full-time course of higher education, CHAMPUS benefits can be continued until the 23rd birthday. The normal vacation periods during an established school year do not change the eligibility status of a dependent child 21 or 22 years old in a full time student status. Unless an incapacitating condition existed before, and at the time of, a dependent child’s 21st birthday, a dependent child 21 or 22 years old in student status does not have eligibility and may not qualify for eligibility under the requirements related to mental or physical incapacity as described in paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(H)(2) of this section.
(g) Reinstatement of CHAMPUS eligibility. Circumstances which result in reinstatement of CHAMPUS eligibility are as follows:
(1) End Stage renal disease. Unless CHAMPUS eligibility has been continued under paragraph (f)(3)(viii) of the section, when Medicare eligibility ceases for end-stage renal disease patients, CHAMPUS eligibility resumes if the person is otherwise still eligible. He or she is required to take action to be reinstated as a CHAMPUS beneficiary and to obtain a new identification card.
(2) Disability. Some disabilities are permanent, others temporary. Each case must be reviewed individually. Unless CHAMPUS eligibility has been continued under paragraph (f)(3)(ix) of this section, when disability ends and Medicare eligibility ceases, CHAMPUS eligibility resumes if the person is otherwise still eligible. Again, he or she is required to take action to obtain a new CHAMPUS identification card.
(3) Enrollment in Medicare Part B. For individuals whose CHAMPUS eligibility has terminated pursuant to paragraph (f)(2)(iii) or (f)(3)(vi) of this section due to beneficiary action to decline Part B of Medicare, CHAMPUS eligibility resumes, effective on the date Medicare Part B coverage begins, if the person subsequently enrolls in Medicare Part B and the person is otherwise still eligible.
(h) Determination of eligibility status. Determination of an individual’s eligibility as a CHAMPUS beneficiary is the primary responsibility of the Uniformed Service in which the member or former member is, or was, a member, or in the case of dependents of a NATO military member, the Service that sponsors the NATO member. For the purpose of program integrity, the appropriate Uniformed Service shall, upon request of the Director, OCHAMPUS, review the eligibility of a specific person when there is reason to question the eligibility status. In such cases, a report on the results of the review and any action taken will be submitted to the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee.
(i) Procedures for determination of eligibility. Procedures for the determination of eligibility are prescribed within the Department of Defense Instruction 1000.13 available at local military facilities personnel offices.
(j) CHAMPUS procedures for verification of eligibility. (1) Eligibility for CHAMPUS benefits will be verified through the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) maintained by the Uniformed Services, except for abused dependents as set forth in paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section. It is the responsibility of the CHAMPUS beneficiary, or parent, or legal representative, when appropriate, to provide the necessary evidence required for entry into the DEERS file to establish CHAMPUS eligibility and to ensure that all changes in status that may affect eligibility be reported immediately to the appropriate Uniformed Service for action.
(2) Ineligibility for CHAMPUS benefits may be presumed in the absence of prescribed eligibility evidence in the DEERS file.
(3) The Director, OCHAMPUS, shall issue guidelines as necessary to implement the provisions of this section.
§ 199.4 Basic program benefits.
(a) General. The CHAMPUS Basic Program is essentially a supplemental program to the Uniformed Services direct medical care system. The Basic Program is similar to private insurance programs, and is designed to provide financial assistance to CHAMPUS beneficiaries for certain prescribed medical care obtained from civilian sources.
(1)(i) Scope of benefits. Subject to all applicable definitions, conditions, limitations, or exclusions specified in this part, the CHAMPUS Basic Program will pay for medically or psychologically necessary services and supplies required in the diagnosis and treatment of illness or injury, including maternity care and well-baby care. Benefits include specified medical services and supplies provided to eligible beneficiaries from authorized civilian sources such as hospitals, other authorized institutional providers, physicians, other authorized individual professional providers, and professional ambulance service, prescription drugs, authorized medical supplies, and rental or purchase of durable medical equipment.
(ii) Impact of TRICARE program. The basic program benefits set forth in this section are applicable to the basic CHAMPUS program. In areas in which the TRICARE program is implemented, certain provisions of § 199.17 will apply instead of the provisions of this section. In those areas, the provisions of § 199.17 will take precedence over any provisions of this section with which they conflict.
(2) Persons eligible for Basic Program benefits. Persons eligible to receive the Basic Program benefits are set forth in § 199.3 of this part. Any person determined to be an eligible CHAMPUS beneficiary is eligible for Basic Program benefits.
(3) Authority to act for CHAMPUS. The authority to make benefit determinations and authorize the disbursement of funds under CHAMPUS is restricted to the Director, OCHAMPUS; designated OCHAMPUS staff; Director, OCHAMPUSEUR; or CHAMPUS fiscal intermediaries. No other persons or agents (such as physicians, staff members of hospitals, or CHAMPUS health benefits advisors) have such authority.
(4) Status of patient controlling for purposes of cost-sharing. Benefits for covered services and supplies described in this section will be extended either on an inpatient or outpatient cost-sharing basis in accordance with the status of the patient at the time the covered services and supplies were provided, unless otherwise specifically designated (such as for ambulance service or maternity care). For cost-sharing provisions, refer to paragraph (f) of this section.
(5) Right to information. As a condition precedent to the provision of benefits hereunder, OCHAMPUS or its CHAMPUS fiscal intermediaries shall be entitled to receive information from a physician or hospital or other person, institution, or organization (including a local, state, or U.S. Government agency) providing services or supplies to the beneficiary for which claims or requests for approval for benefits are submitted. Such information and records may relate to the attendance, testing, monitoring, or examination or diagnosis of, or treatment rendered, or services and supplies furnished to a beneficiary, and shall be necessary for the accurate and efficient administration of CHAMPUS benefits. Before a determination will be made on a request for preauthorization or claim of benefits, a beneficiary or sponsor must provide particular additional information relevant to the requested determination, when necessary. The recipient of such information shall in every case hold such records confidential except when:
(i) Disclosure of such information is authorized specifically by the beneficiary;
(ii) Disclosure is necessary to permit authorized governmental officials to investigate and prosecute criminal actions, or
(iii) Disclosure is authorized or required specifically under the terms of the Privacy Act or Freedom of Information Act (refer to § 199.1(m) of this part).
(6) Physical examinations. The Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, may require a beneficiary to submit to one or more medical (including psychiatric) examinations to determine the beneficiary’s entitlement to benefits for which application has been made or for otherwise authorized medically necessary services and supplies required in the diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury (including maternity and well-baby care). When a medical examination has been requested, CHAMPUS will withhold payment of any pending claims or preauthorization requests on that particular beneficiary. If the beneficiary refuses to agree to the requested medical examination, or unless prevented by a medical reason acceptable to OCHAMPUS, the examination is not performed within 90 days of initial request, all pending claims for services and supplies will be denied. A denial of payments for services or supplies provided before (and related to) the request for a physical examination is not subject to reconsideration. The medical examination and required beneficiary travel related to performing the requested medical examination will be at the expense of CHAMPUS. The medical examination may be performed by a physician in a Uniformed Services medical facility or by an appropriate civilian physician, as determined and selected by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee who is responsible for making such arrangements as are necessary, including necessary travel arrangements.
(7) Claims filing deadline. For all services provided on or after January 1, 1993, to be considered for benefits, all claims submitted for benefits must, except as provided in § 199.7, be filed with the appropriate CHAMPUS contractor no later than one year after the services are provided. Unless the requirement is waived, failure to file a claim within this deadline waives all rights to benefits for such services or supplies.
(8) Double coverage and third party recoveries. CHAMPUS claims involving double coverage or the possibility that the United States can recover all or a part of its expenses from a third party, are specifically subject to the provisions of § 199.8 or § 199.12 of this part as appropriate.
(9) Nonavailability Statements within a 40-mile catchment area. Unless required by action of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (ASD(HA)) under this paragraph (a)(9), nonavailability statements are not required. If they are required by ASD(HA) action, in some geographic locations, CHAMPUS beneficiaries not enrolled in TRICARE Prime may be required to obtain a nonavailability statement from a military medical treatment facility in order to receive specifically identified health care services from a civilian provider. If the required care cannot be provided through the Uniformed Service facility, the hospital commander, or a designee, will issue a Nonavailability Statement (NAS) (DD Form 1251). Failure to secure such a statement may waive the beneficiary’s rights to benefits under CHAMPUS/TRICARE.
(i) With the exception of maternity services, the ASD(HA) may require an NAS prior to TRICARE cost-sharing for additional services from civilian sources if such services are to be provided to a beneficiary who lives within a 40-mile catchment area of an MTF where such services are available and the ASD(HA):
(A) Demonstrates that significant costs would be avoided by performing specific procedures at the affected MTF or MTFs; or
(B) Determines that a specific procedure must be provided at the affected MTF or MTFs to ensure the proficiency levels of the practitioners at the MTF or MTFs; or
(C) Determines that the lack of NAS data would significantly interfere with TRICARE contract administration; and
(D) Provides notification of the ASD(HA)’s intent to require an NAS under this authority to covered beneficiaries who receive care at the MTF or MTFs that will be affected by the decision to require an NAS under this authority; and
(E) Provides at least 60-day notification to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the ASD(HA)’s intent to require an NAS under this authority, the reason for the NAS requirement, and the date that an NAS will be required.
(ii) Rules in effect at the time civilian medical care is provided apply. The applicable rules and regulations regarding Nonavailability Statements in effect at the time the civilian care is rendered apply in determining whether a NAS is required.
(iii) The Director, TMA is responsible for issuing the procedural rules and regulations regarding Nonavailability Statements. Such rules and regulations should address:
(A) When and for what services a NAS is required. However, a NAS may not be required for services otherwise available at an MTF located within a 40-mile radius of the beneficiary’s residence when another insurance plan or program provides the beneficiary’s primary coverage for the services. This requirement for an NAS does not apply to beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE Prime, even when those beneficiaries use the point-of-service option under § 199.17(n)(3) of this part; and
(B) When and how notifications will be made to a beneficiary who is not enrolled in TRICARE Prime as to whether or not he or she resides in a geographic area that requires obtaining a NAS; and
(C) What information relating to claims submissions, including the documentation, if any, that is required to document that a valid NAS was issued. However, when documentation of a NAS is required, then that documentation shall be valid for the adjudication of CHAMPUS claims for all related care otherwise authorized by this part which is received from a civilian source while the beneficiary resided within the Uniformed Service facility catchment area which issued the NAS.
(iv) In the case of any service subject to a NAS requirement under this paragraph (a)(9) and also subject to a preadmission (or other pre-service) authorization requirement under § 199.4 or § 199.15 of this part, the administrative processes for the NAS and pre-service authorization may be combined.
(10) [Reserved]
(11) Quality and Utilization Review Peer Review Organization program. All benefits under the CHAMPUS program are subject to review under the CHAMPUS Quality and Utilization Review Peer Review Organization program pursuant to Sec 199.15.
(12) [Reserved]
(13) Implementing instructions. The Director, OCHAMPUS shall issue policies, procedures, instructions, guidelines, standards and/or criteria to implement this section.
(14) Confidentiality of substance use disorder treatment. Release of any patient identifying information, including that required to adjudicate a claim, must comply with the provisions of section 543 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 290dd-2), and implementing regulations at 42 CFR part 2, which governs the release of medical and other information from the records of patients undergoing treatment of substance use disorder. If the patient refuses to authorize the release of medical records which are, in the opinion of the Director, Defense Health Agency, or a designee, necessary to determine benefits on a claim for treatment of substance use disorder, the claim will be denied.
(b) Institutional benefits—(1) General. Services and supplies provided by an institutional provider authorized as set forth in § 199.6 may be cost-shared only when such services or supplies: are otherwise authorized by this part; are medically necessary; are ordered, directed, prescribed, or delivered by an OCHAMPUS-authorized individual professional provider as set forth in § 199.6 or by an employee of the authorized institutional provider who is otherwise eligible to be a CHAMPUS authorized individual professional provider; are delivered in accordance with generally accepted norms for clinical practice in the United States; meet established quality standards; and comply with applicable definitions, conditions, limitations, exceptions, or exclusions as otherwise set forth in this part.
(i) Billing practices. To be considered for benefits under § 199.4(b), covered services and supplies must be provided and billed for by a hospital or other authorized institutional provider. Such billings must be fully itemized and sufficiently descriptive to permit CHAMPUS to determine whether benefits are authorized by this part. Depending on the individual circumstances, teaching physician services may be considered an institutional benefit in accordance with § 199.4(b) or a professional benefit under § 199.4(c). See paragraph (c)(3)(xiii) of this section for the CHAMPUS requirements regarding teaching physicians. In the case of continuous care, claims shall be submitted to the appropriate CHAMPUS fiscal intermediary at least every 30 days either by the beneficiary or sponsor or, on a participating basis, directly by the facility on behalf of the beneficiary (refer to § 199.7).
(ii) Successive inpatient admissions. Successive inpatient admissions shall be deemed one inpatient confinement for the purpose of computing the active duty dependent’s share of the inpatient institutional charges, provided not more than 60 days have elapsed between the successive admissions, except that successive inpatient admissions related to a single maternity episode shall be considered one confinement, regardless of the number of days between admissions. For the purpose of applying benefits, successive admissions will be determined separately for maternity admissions and admissions related to an accidental injury (refer to § 199.4(f)).
(iii) Related services and supplies. Covered services and supplies must be rendered in connection with and related directly to a covered diagnosis or definitive set of symptoms requiring otherwise authorized medically necessary treatment.
(iv) Inpatient, appropriate level required. For purposes of inpatient care, the level of institutional care for which Basic Program benefits may be extended must be at the appropriate level required to provide the medically necessary treatment except for patients requiring skilled nursing facility care. For patients for whom skilled nursing facility care is adequate, but is not available in the general locality, benefits may be continued in the higher level care facility. General locality means an area that includes all the skilled nursing facilities within 50 miles of the higher level facility, unless the higher level facility can demonstrate that the skilled nursing facilities are inaccessible to its patients. The decision as to whether a skilled nursing facility is within the higher level facility’s general locality, or the skilled nursing facility is inaccessible to the higher level facility’s patients shall be a CHAMPUS contractor initial determination for the purposes of appeal under § 199.10 of this part. CHAMPUS institutional benefit payments shall be limited to the allowable cost that would have been incurred in the skilled nursing facility, as determined by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee. If it is determined that the institutional care can be provided reasonably in the home setting, no CHAMPUS institutional benefits are payable.
(v) General or special education not covered. Services and supplies related to the provision of either regular or special education generally are not covered. Such exclusion applies whether a separate charge is made for education or whether it is included as a part of an overall combined daily charge of an institution. In the latter instance, that portion of the overall combined daily charge related to education must be determined, based on the allowable costs of the educational component, and deleted from the institution’s charges before CHAMPUS benefits can be extended. The only exception is when appropriate education is not available from or not payable by the cognizant public entity. Each case must be referred to the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, for review and a determination of the applicability of CHAMPUS benefits.
(vi) Substance use disorder treatment exclusions. (A) The programmed use of physical measures, such as electric shock, alcohol, or other drugs as negative reinforcement (aversion therapy) is not covered, even if recommended by a physician.
(B) Domiciliary settings. Domiciliary facilities generally referred to as halfway or quarterway houses are not authorized providers and charges for services provided by these facilities are not covered.
(2) Covered hospital services and supplies—(i) Room and board. Includes special diets, laundry services, and other general housekeeping support services (inpatient only).
(ii) General staff nursing services.
(iii) ICU. Includes specialized units, such as for respiratory conditions, cardiac surgery, coronary care, burn care, or neurosurgery (inpatient only).
(iv) Operating room, recovery room. Operating room and recovery room, including other special treatment rooms and equipment, and hyperbaric chamber.
(v) Drugs and medicines. Includes sera, biologicals, and pharmaceutical preparations (including insulin) that are listed in the official formularies of the institution or facility at the time of use. (To be considered as an inpatient supply, drugs and medicines must be consumed during the specific period the beneficiary is a registered inpatient. Drugs and medicines prescribed for use outside the hospital, even though prescribed and obtained while still a registered inpatient, will be considered outpatient supplies and the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section will apply.)
(vi) Durable medical equipment, medical supplies, and dressings. Includes durable medical equipment, medical supplies essential to a surgical procedure (such as artificial heart valve and artificial ball and socket joint), sterile trays, casts, and orthopedic hardware. Use of durable medical equipment is restricted to an inpatient basis.
If durable medical equipment is to be used on an outpatient basis or continued in outpatient status after use as an inpatient, benefits will be provided as set forth in paragraph (d) of this section and cost-sharing will be on an outpatient basis (refer to paragraph (a)(4) of this section).
(vii) Diagnostic services. Includes clinical laboratory examinations, x-ray examinations, pathological examinations, and machine tests that produce hard-copy results. Also includes CT scanning under certain limited conditions.
(viii) Anesthesia. Includes both the anesthetic agent and its administration.
(ix) Blood. Includes blood, plasma and its derivatives, including equipment and supplies, and its administration.
(x) Radiation therapy. Includes radioisotopes.
(xi) Physical therapy.
(xii) Oxygen. Includes equipment for its administration.
(xiii) Intravenous injections. Includes solution.
(xiv) Shock therapy.
(xv) Chemotherapy.
(xvi) Renal and peritoneal dialysis.
(xvii) Psychological evaluation tests. When required by the diagnosis.
(xviii) Other medical services. Includes such other medical services as may be authorized by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, provided they are related directly to the diagnosis or definitive set of symptoms and rendered by a member of the institution’s medical or professional staff (either salaried or contractual) and billed for by the hospital.
(xix) Medication assisted treatment. Covered drugs and medicines for the treatment of substance use disorder include the substitution of a therapeutic drug, with addictive potential, for a drug addiction when medically or psychologically necessary and appropriate medical care for a beneficiary undergoing supervised treatment for a substance use disorder.
(xx) Withdrawal management (detoxification). For a beneficiary undergoing treatment for a substance use disorder, this includes management of a patient’s withdrawal symptoms (detoxification).
(3) Covered services and supplies provided by special medical treatment institutions or facilities, other than hospitals or RTCs—(i) Room and board. Includes special diets, laundry services, and other general housekeeping support services (inpatient only).
(ii) General staff nursing services.
(iii) Drugs and medicines. Includes sera, biologicals, and pharmaceutical preparations (including insulin) that are listed in the official formularies of the institution or facility at the time of use. (To be considered as an inpatient supply, drugs and medicines must be consumed during the specific period the beneficiary is a registered inpatient. Drugs and medicines prescribed for use outside the authorized institutional provider, even though prescribed and obtained while still a registered inpatient, will be considered outpatient supplies and the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section will apply.).
(iv) Durable medical equipment, medical supplies, and dressings. Includes durable medical equipment, sterile trays, casts, orthopedic hardware and dressings. Use of durable medical equipment is restricted to an inpatient basis.
If the durable medical equipment is to be used on an outpatient basis or continued in outpatient status after use as an inpatient, benefits will be provided as set forth in paragraph (d) of this section, and cost-sharing will be on an outpatient basis (refer to paragraph (a)(4) of this section).
(v) Diagnostic services. Includes clinical laboratory examinations, x-ray examinations, pathological examination, and machine tests that produce hard-copy results.
(vi) Blood. Includes blood, plasma and its derivatives, including equipment and supplies, and its administration.
(vii) Physical therapy.
(viii) Oxygen. Includes equipment for its administration.
(ix) Intravenous injections. Includes solution.
(x) Shock therapy.
(xi) Chemotherapy.
(xii) Psychological evaluation tests. When required by the diagnosis.
(xiii) Renal and peritoneal dialysis.
(xiv) Skilled nursing facility (SNF) services. Covered services in SNFs are the same as provided under Medicare under section 1861(h) and (i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(h) and (i)) and 42 CFR part 409, subparts C and D, except that the Medicare limitation on the number of days of coverage under section 1812(a) and (b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395d(a) and (b)) and 42 CFR 409.61(b) shall not be applicable under TRICARE. Skilled nursing facility care for each spell of illness shall continue to be provided for as long as medically necessary and appropriate. For a SNF admission to be covered under TRICARE, the beneficiary must have a qualifying hospital stay meaning an inpatient hospital stay of three consecutive days or more, not including the hospital leave day. The beneficiary must enter the SNF within 30 days of leaving the hospital, or within such time as it would be medically appropriate to begin an active course of treatment, where the individual’s condition is such that SNF care would not be medically appropriate within 30 days after discharge from a hospital. The skilled services must be for a medical condition that was either treated during the qualifying three-day hospital stay, or started while the beneficiary was already receiving covered SNF care. Additionally, an individual shall be deemed not to have been discharged from a SNF, if within 30 days after discharge from a SNF, the individual is again admitted to a SNF. Adoption by TRICARE of most Medicare coverage standards does not include Medicare coinsurance amounts. Extended care services furnished to an inpatient of a SNF by such SNF (except as provided in paragraphs (b)(3)(xiv)(C), (b)(3)(xiv)(F), and (b)(3)(xiv)(G) of this section) include:
(A) Nursing care provided by or under the supervision of a registered professional nurse;
(B) Bed and board in connection with the furnishing of such nursing care;
(C) Physical or occupational therapy or speech-language pathology services furnished by the SNF or by others under arrangements with them by the facility;
(D) Medical social services;
(E) Such drugs, biological, supplies, appliances, and equipment, furnished for use in the SNF, as are ordinarily furnished for the care and treatment of inpatients;
(F) Medical services provided by an intern or resident-in-training of a hospital with which the facility has such an agreement in effect; and
(G) Such other services necessary to the health of the patients as are generally provided by SNFs, or by others under arrangements with them made by the facility.
(xv) Other medical services. Other medical services may be authorized by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, provided they are related directly to the diagnosis or definitive set of symptoms and rendered by a member of the institution’s medical or professional staff (either salaried or contractual) and billed for by the authorized institutional provider of care.
(xvi) Medication assisted treatment. Covered drugs and medicines for the treatment of substance use disorder include the substitution of a therapeutic drug, with addictive potential, for a drug addiction when medically or psychologically necessary and appropriate medical care for a beneficiary undergoing supervised treatment for a substance use disorder.
(xvii) Withdrawal management (detoxification). For a beneficiary undergoing treatment for a substance use disorder, this includes management of a patient’s withdrawal symptoms (detoxification).
(4) Services and supplies provided by RTCs—(i) Room and board. Includes use of residential facilities such as food service (including special diets), laundry services, supervised reasonable recreational and social activity services, and other general services as considered appropriate by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee.
(ii) Patient assessment. Includes the assessment of each child or adolescent accepted by the RTC, including clinical consideration of each of his or her fundamental needs, that is, physical, psychological, chronological age, developmental level, family, educational, social, environmental, and recreational.
(iii) Diagnostic services. Includes clinical laboratory examinations, x-ray examinations, pathological examinations, and machine tests that produce hard-copy results.
(iv) Psychological evaluation tests.
(v) Treatment of mental disorders. Services and supplies that are medically or psychologically necessary to diagnose and treat the mental disorder for which the patient was admitted to the RTC. Covered services and requirements for qualifications of providers are as listed in paragraph (c)(3)(ix) of this section.
(vi) Other necessary medical care. Emergency medical services or other authorized medical care may be rendered by the RTC provided it is professionally capable of rendering such services and meets standards required by the Director, OCHAMPUS. It is intended, however, that CHAMPUS payments to an RTC should primarily cover those services and supplies directly related to the treatment of mental disorders that require residential care.
(vii) Criteria for determining medical or psychological necessity. In determining the medical or psychological necessity of services and supplies provided by RTCs, the evaluation conducted by the Director, OCHAMPUS (or designee) shall consider the appropriate level of care for the patient, the intensity of services required by the patient, and the availability of that care. In addition to the criteria set forth in this paragraph (b)(4) of this section, additional evaluation standards, consistent with such criteria, may be adopted by the Director, OCHAMPUS (or designee). RTC services and supplies shall not be considered medically or psychologically necessary unless, at a minimum, all the following criteria are clinically determined in the evaluation to be fully met:
(A) Patient has a diagnosable psychiatric disorder.
(B) Patient exhibits patterns of disruptive behavior with evidence of disturbances in family functioning or social relationships and persistent psychological and/or emotional disturbances.
(C) RTC services involve active clinical treatment under an individualized treatment plan that provides for:
(1) Specific level of care, and measurable goals/objectives relevant to each of the problems identified;
(2) Skilled interventions by qualified mental health professionals to assist the patient and/or family;
(3) Time frames for achieving proposed outcomes; and
(4) Evaluation of treatment progress to include timely reviews and updates as appropriate of the patient’s treatment plan that reflects alterations in the treatment regimen, the measurable goals/objectives, and the level of care required for each of the patient’s problems, and explanations of any failure to achieve the treatment goals/objectives.
(D) Unless therapeutically contraindicated, the family and/or guardian must actively participate in the continuing care of the patient either through direct involvement at the facility or geographically distant family therapy. (In the latter case, the treatment center must document that there has been collaboration with the family and/or guardian in all reviews.)
(5) Extent of institutional benefits—(i) Inpatient room accommodations—(A) Semiprivate. The allowable costs for room and board furnished an individual patient are payable for semiprivate accommodations in a hospital or other authorized institution, subject to appropriate cost-sharing provisions (refer to paragraph (f) of this section). A semiprivate accommodation is a room containing at least two beds. Therefore, if a room publicly is designated by the institution as a semiprivate accommodation and contains multiple beds, it qualifies as semiprivate for the purpose of CHAMPUS.
(B) Private. A room with one bed that is designated as a private room by the hospital or other authorized institutional provider. The allowable cost of a private room accommodation is covered only under the following conditions:
(1) When its use is required medically and when the attending physician certifies that a private room is necessary medically for the proper care and treatment of a patient; or
(2) When a patient’s medical condition requires isolation; or
(3) When a patient (in need of immediate inpatient care but not requiring a private room) is admitted to a hospital or other authorized institution that has semiprivate accommodations, but at the time of admission, such accommodations are occupied; or
(4) When a patient is admitted to an acute care hospital (general or special) without semiprivate rooms.
(C) Duration of private room stay. The allowable cost of private accommodations is covered under the circumstances described in paragraph (b)(5)(i)(B) of this section until the patient’s condition no longer requires the private room for medical reasons or medical isolation; or, in the case of the patient not requiring a private room, when a semiprivate accommodation becomes available; or, in the case of an acute care hospital (general or special) which does not have semiprivate rooms, for the duration of an otherwise covered inpatient stay.
(D) Hospital (except an acute care hospital, general or special) or other authorized institutional provider without semiprivate accommodations. When a beneficiary is admitted to a hospital (except an acute care hospital, general or special) or other institution that has no semiprivate accommodations, for any inpatient day when the patient qualifies for use of a private room (as set forth in paragraphs (b)(5)(i)(B) (1) and (2) of this section) the allowable cost of private accommodations is covered. For any inpatient day in such a hospital or other authorized institution when the patient does not require medically the private room, the allowable cost of semiprivate accommodations is covered, such allowable costs to be determined by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee.
(ii) General staff nursing services. General staff nursing services cover all nursing care (other than that provided by private duty nurses) including, but not limited to, general duty nursing, emergency room nursing, recovery room nursing, intensive nursing care, and group nursing arrangements. Only nursing services provided by nursing personnel on the payroll of the hospital or other authorized institution are eligible under paragraph (b) of this section. If a nurse who is not on the payroll of the hospital or other authorized institution is called in specifically to care for a single patient (individual nursing) or more than one patient (group nursing), whether the patient is billed for the nursing services directly or through the hospital or other institution, such services constitute private duty (special) nursing services and are not eligible for benefits under this paragraph (the provisions of paragraph (c)(2)(xv) of this section would apply).
(iii) ICU. An ICU is a special segregated unit of a hospital in which patients are concentrated, by reason of serious illness, usually without regard to diagnosis. Special lifesaving techniques and equipment are available regularly and immediately within the unit, and patients are under continuous observation by a nursing staff specially trained and selected for the care of this type of patient. The unit is maintained on a continuing, rather than an intermittent or temporary, basis. It is not a postoperative recovery room or a postanesthesia room. In some large or highly specialized hospitals, the ICUs may be refined further for special purposes, such as for respiratory conditions, cardiac surgery, coronary care, burn care, or neurosurgery. For purposes of CHAMPUS, these specialized units would be considered ICUs if they otherwise conformed to the definition of an ICU.
(iv) Treatment rooms. Standard treatment rooms include emergency rooms, operating rooms, recovery rooms, special treatment rooms, and hyperbaric chambers and all related necessary medical staff and equipment. To be recognized for purposes of CHAMPUS, treatment rooms must be so designated and maintained by the hospital or other authorized institutions on a continuing basis. A treatment room set up on an intermittent or temporary basis would not be so recognized.
(v) Drugs and medicines. Drugs and medicines are included as a supply of a hospital or other authorized institution only under the following conditions:
(A) They represent a cost to the facility rendering treatment;
(B) They are furnished to a patient receiving treatment, and are related directly to that treatment; and
(C) They are ordinarily furnished by the facility for the care and treatment of inpatients.
(vi) Durable medical equipment, medical supplies, and dressings. Durable medical equipment, medical supplies, and dressings are included as a supply of a hospital or other authorized institution only under the following conditions:
(A) If ordinarily furnished by the facility for the care and treatment of patients; and
(B) If specifically related to, and in connection with, the condition for which the patient is being treated; and
(C) If ordinarily furnished to a patient for use in the hospital or other authorized institution (except in the case of a temporary or disposable item); and
(D) Use of durable medical equipment is limited to those items provided while the patient is an inpatient. If such equipment is provided for use on an outpatient basis, the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section apply.
(vii) Transitional use items. Under certain circumstances, a temporary or disposable item may be provided for use beyond an inpatient stay, when such item is necessary medically to permit or facilitate the patient’s departure from the hospital or other authorized institution, or which may be required until such time as the patient can obtain a continuing supply; or it would be unreasonable or impossible from a medical standpoint to discontinue the patient’s use of the item at the time of termination of his or her stay as an inpatient.
(viii) Anesthetics and oxygen. Anesthetics and oxygen and their administration are considered a service or supply if furnished by the hospital or other authorized institution, or by others under arrangements made by the facility under which the billing for such services is made through the facility.
(6) Inpatient mental health services. Inpatient mental health services are those services furnished by institutional and professional providers for treatment of a nervous or mental disorder (as defined in § 199.2) to a patient admitted to a CHAMPUS-authorized acute care general hospital; a psychiatric hospital; or, unless otherwise exempted, a special institutional provider.
(i) Criteria for determining medical or psychological necessity. In determining the medical or psychological necessity of acute inpatient mental health services, the evaluation conducted by the Director, OCHAMPUS (or designee) shall consider the appropriate level of care for the patient, the intensity of services required by the patient, and the availability of that care. The purpose of such acute inpatient care is to stabilize a life-threatening or severely disabling condition within the context of a brief, intensive model of inpatient care in order to permit management of the patient’s condition at a less intensive level of care. Such care is appropriate only if the patient requires services of an intensity and nature that are generally recognized as being effectively and safely provided only in an acute inpatient hospital setting. In addition to the criteria set forth in this paragraph (b)(6) of this section, additional evaluation standards, consistent with such criteria, may be adopted by the Director, OCHAMPUS (or designee). Acute inpatient care shall not be considered necessary unless the patient needs to be observed and assessed on a 24-hour basis by skilled nursing staff, and/or requires continued intervention by a multidisciplinary treatment team; and in addition, at least one of the following criteria is determined to be met:
(A) Patient poses a serious risk of harm to self and/or others.
(B) Patient is in need of high dosage, intensive medication or somatic and/or psychological treatment, with potentially serious side effects.
(C) Patient has acute disturbances of mood, behavior, or thinking.
(ii) Emergency admissions. Admission to an acute inpatient hospital setting may be on an emergency or on a non-emergency basis. In order for an admission to qualify as an emergency, the following criteria, in addition to those in paragraph (b)(6)(i) of this section, must be met:
(A) The patient must be at immediate risk of serious harm to self and or others based on a psychiatric evaluation performed by a physician (or other qualified mental health professional with hospital admission authority); and
(B) The patient requires immediate continuous skilled observation and treatment at the acute psychiatric level of care.
(iii)-(iv)[Reserved]
(7) Emergency inpatient hospital services. In the case of a medical emergency, benefits can be extended for medically necessary inpatient services and supplies provided to a beneficiary by a hospital, including hospitals that do not meet CHAMPUS standards or comply with the nondiscrimination requirements under title VI of the Civil Rights Act and other nondiscrimination laws applicable to recipients of federal financial assistance, or satisfy other conditions herein set forth. In a medical emergency, medically necessary inpatient services and supplies are those that are necessary to prevent the death or serious impairment of the health of the patient, and that, because of the threat to the life or health of the patient, necessitate, the use of the most accessible hospital available and equipped to furnish such services. Emergency services are covered when medically necessary for the active medical treatment of the acute phases of substance withdrawal (detoxification), for stabilization and for treatment of medical complications for substance use disorder. The availability of benefits depends upon the following three separate findings and continues only as long as the emergency exists, as determined by medical review. If the case qualified as an emergency at the time of admission to an unauthorized institutional provider and the emergency subsequently is determined no longer to exist, benefits will be extended up through the date of notice to the beneficiary and provider that CHAMPUS benefits no longer are payable in that hospital.
(i) Existence of medical emergency. A determination that a medical emergency existed with regard to the patient’s condition;
(ii) Immediate admission required. A determination that the condition causing the medical emergency required immediate admission to a hospital to provide the emergency care; and
(iii) Closest hospital utilized. A determination that diagnosis or treatment was received at the most accessible (closest) hospital available and equipped to furnish the medically necessary care.
(8) Residential treatment for substance use disorder—(i) In general. Rehabilitative care, to include withdrawal management (detoxification), in an inpatient residential setting of an authorized hospital or substance use disorder rehabilitative facility, whether free-standing or hospital-based, is covered on a residential basis. The medical necessity for the management of withdrawal symptoms must be documented. Any withdrawal management (detoxification) services provided by the substance use disorder rehabilitation facility must be under general medical supervision.
(ii) Criteria for determining medical or psychological necessity of residential treatment for substance use disorder. Residential treatment for substance use disorder will be considered necessary only if all of the following conditions are present:
(A) The patient has been diagnosed with a substance use disorder.
(B) The patient is experiencing withdrawal symptoms or potential symptoms severe enough to require inpatient care and physician management, or who have less severe symptoms that require 24-hour inpatient monitoring or the patient’s addiction-related symptoms, or concomitant physical and emotional/behavioral problems reflect persistent dysfunction in several major life areas.
(iii) Services and supplies. The following services and supplies are included in the per diem rate approved for an authorized residential treatment for substance use disorder.
(A) Room and board. Includes use of the residential treatment program facilities such as food service (including special diets), laundry services, supervised therapeutically constructed recreational and social activities, and other general services as considered appropriate by the Director, or a designee.
(B) Patient assessment. Includes the assessment of each individual accepted by the facility, and must, at a minimum, consist of a physical examination; psychiatric examination; psychological assessment; assessment of physiological, biological and cognitive processes; case management assessment; developmental assessment; family history and assessment; social history and assessment; educational or vocational history and assessment; environmental assessment; and recreational/activities assessment. Assessments conducted within 30 days prior to admission to a residential treatment program for substance use disorder (SUD) may be used if approved and deemed adequate to permit treatment planning by the residential treatment program for SUD.
(C) Psychological testing. Psychological testing is provided based on medical and psychological necessity.
(D) Treatment services. All services, supplies, equipment and space necessary to fulfill the requirements of each patient’s individualized diagnosis and treatment plan. All mental health services must be provided by a TRICARE authorized individual professional provider of mental health services. [Exception: Residential treatment programs that employ individuals with master’s or doctoral level degrees in a mental health discipline who do not meet the licensure, certification, and experience requirements for a qualified mental health provider but are actively working toward licensure or certification may provide services within the all-inclusive per diem rate, but such individuals must work under the clinical supervision of a fully qualified mental health provider employed by the facility.]
(iv) Case management required. The facility must provide case management that helps to assure arrangement of community based support services, referral of suspected child or elder abuse or domestic violence to the appropriate state agencies, and effective after care arrangements, at a minimum.
(v) Professional mental health benefits. Professional mental health benefits are billed separately from the residential treatment program per diem rate only when rendered by an attending, TRICARE authorized mental health professional who is not an employee of, or under contract with, the program for purposes of providing clinical patient care.
(vi) Non-mental health related medical services. Separate billing will be allowed for otherwise covered non-mental health related services.
(9) Psychiatric and substance use disorder partial hospitalization services—(i) In general. Partial hospitalization services are those services furnished by a TRICARE authorized partial hospitalization program and authorized mental health providers for the active treatment of a mental disorder. All services must follow a medical model and vest patient care under the general direction of a licensed TRICARE authorized physician employed by the partial hospitalization program to ensure medication and physical needs of all the patients are considered. The primary or attending provider must be a TRICARE authorized mental health provider (see paragraph (c)(3)(ix) of this section), operating within the scope of his/her license. These categories include physicians, clinical psychologists, certified psychiatric nurse specialists, clinical social workers, marriage and family counselors, TRICARE certified mental health counselors, pastoral counselors, and supervised mental health counselors. All categories practice independently except pastoral counselors and supervised mental health counselors who must practice under the supervision of TRICARE authorized physicians. Partial hospitalization services and interventions are provided at a high degree of intensity and restrictiveness of care, with medical supervision and medication management. Partial hospitalization services are covered as a basic program benefit only if they are provided in accordance with paragraph (b)(9) of this section. Such programs must enter into a participation agreement with TRICARE; and be accredited and in substantial compliance with the specified standards of an accreditation organization approved by the Director.
(ii) Criteria for determining medical or psychological necessity of psychiatric and SUD partial hospitalization services. Partial hospitalization services will be considered necessary only if all of the following conditions are present:
(A) The patient is suffering significant impairment from a mental disorder (as defined in § 199.2) which interferes with age appropriate functioning or the patient is in need of rehabilitative services for the management of withdrawal symptoms from alcohol, sedative-hypnotics, opioids, or stimulants that require medically-monitored ambulatory detoxification, with direct access to medical services and clinically intensive programming of rehabilitative care based on individual treatment plans.
(B) The patient is unable to maintain himself or herself in the community, with appropriate support, at a sufficient level of functioning to permit an adequate course of therapy exclusively on an outpatient basis, to include outpatient treatment program, outpatient office visits, or intensive outpatient services (but is able, with appropriate support, to maintain a basic level of functioning to permit partial hospitalization services and presents no substantial imminent risk of harm to self or others). These patients require medical support; however, they do not require a 24-hour medical environment.
(C) The patient is in need of crisis stabilization, acute symptom reduction, treatment of partially stabilized mental health disorders, or services as a transition from an inpatient program.
(D) The admission into the partial hospitalization program is based on the development of an individualized diagnosis and treatment plan expected to be effective for that patient and permit treatment at a less intensive level.
(iii) Services and supplies. The following services and supplies are included in the per diem rate approved for an authorized partial hospitalization program:
(A) Board. Includes use of the partial hospital facilities such as food service, supervised therapeutically constructed recreational and social activities, and other general services as considered appropriate by the Director, or a designee.
(B) Patient assessment. Includes the assessment of each individual accepted by the facility, and must, at a minimum, consist of a physical examination; psychiatric examination; psychological assessment; assessment of physiological, biological and cognitive processes; case management assessment; developmental assessment; family history and assessment; social history and assessment; educational or vocational history and assessment; environmental assessment; and recreational/activities assessment. Assessments conducted within 30 days prior to admission to a partial program may be used if approved and deemed adequate to permit treatment planning by the partial hospital program.
(C) Psychological testing. Treatment services. All services, supplies, equipment and space necessary to fulfill the requirements of each patient’s individualized diagnosis and treatment plan. All mental health services must be provided by a TRICARE authorized individual professional provider of mental health services. [Exception: partial hospitalization programs that employ individuals with master’s or doctoral level degrees in a mental health discipline who do not meet the licensure, certification, and experience requirements for a qualified mental health provider but are actively working toward licensure or certification, may provide services within the all-inclusive per diem rate, but such individuals must work under the clinical supervision of a fully qualified mental health provider employed by the partial hospitalization program.]
(iv) Case management required. The facility must provide case management that helps to assure the patient appropriate living arrangements after treatment hours, transportation to and from the facility, arrangement of community based support services, referral of suspected child or elder abuse or domestic violence to the appropriate state agencies, and effective after care arrangements, at a minimum.
(v) Educational services required. Programs treating children and adolescents must ensure the provision of a state certified educational component which assures that patients do not fall behind in educational placement while receiving partial hospital treatment. CHAMPUS will not fund the cost of educational services separately from the per diem rate. The hours devoted to education do not count toward the therapeutic intensive outpatient program or full day program.
(vi) Family therapy required. The facility must ensure the provision of an active family therapy treatment component, which assures that each patient and family participate at least weekly in family therapy provided by the institution and rendered by a TRICARE authorized individual professional provider of mental health services. There is no acceptable substitute for family therapy. An exception to this requirement may be granted on a case-by-case basis by the Clinical Director, or designee, only if family therapy is clinically contraindicated.
(vii) Professional mental health benefits. Professional mental health benefits are billed separately from the partial hospitalization per diem rate only when rendered by an attending, TRICARE authorized mental health professional who is not an employee of, or under contract with, the partial hospitalization program for purposes of providing clinical patient care.
(viii) Non-mental health related medical services. Separate billing will be allowed for otherwise covered, non-mental health related medical services.
(10) Intensive psychiatric and substance use disorder outpatient services—(i) In general. Intensive outpatient services are those services furnished by a TRICARE authorized intensive outpatient program and qualified mental health provider(s) for the active treatment of a mental disorder, to include substance use disorder.
(ii) Criteria for determining medical or psychological necessity of intensive outpatient services. In determining the medical or psychological necessity of intensive outpatient services, the evaluation conducted by the Director, or designee, shall consider the appropriate level of care, based on the patient’s clinical needs and characteristics matched to a service’s structure and intensity. In addition to the criteria set for this paragraph (b)(10) of this section, additional evaluation standards, consistent with such criteria, may be adopted by the Director, or designee. Treatment in an intensive outpatient setting shall not be considered necessary unless the patient requires care that is more intensive than an outpatient treatment program or outpatient office visits and less intensive than inpatient psychiatric care or a partial hospital program. Intensive outpatient services will be considered necessary only if the following conditions are present:
(A) The patient is suffering significant impairment from a mental disorder, to include a substance use disorder (as defined in § 199.2), which interferes with age appropriate functioning. Patients receiving a higher intensity of treatment may be experiencing moderate to severe instability, exacerbation of severe/persistent disorder, or dangerousness with some risk of confinement. Patients receiving a lower intensity of treatment may be experiencing mild instability with limited dangerousness and low risk for confinement.
(B) The patient is unable to maintain himself or herself in the community, with appropriate support, at a sufficient level of functioning to permit an adequate course of therapy exclusively in an outpatient treatment program or an outpatient office basis (but is able, with appropriate support, to maintain a basic level of functioning to permit a level of intensive outpatient treatment and presents no substantial imminent risk of harm to self or others).
(C) The patient is in need of stabilization, symptom reduction, and prevention of relapse for chronic mental illness. The goal of maintenance of his or her functioning within the community cannot be met by outpatient office visits, but requires active treatment in a stable, staff-supported environment;
(D) The admission into the intensive outpatient program is based on the development of an individualized diagnosis and treatment plan expected to be effective for that patient and permit treatment at a less intensive level.
(iii) Services and supplies. The following services and supplies are included in the per diem rate approved for an authorized intensive outpatient program.
(A) Patient assessment. Includes the assessment of each individual accepted by the facility.
(B) Treatment services. All services, supplies, equipment, and space necessary to fulfill the requirements of each patient’s individualized diagnosis and treatment plan. All mental health services must be provided by a TRICARE authorized individual qualified mental health provider. [Exception: Intensive outpatient programs that employ individuals with master’s or doctoral level degrees in a mental health discipline who do not meet the licensure, certification, and experience requirements for a qualified mental health provider but are actively working toward licensure or certification, may provide services within the all-inclusive per diem rate but such individuals must work under the clinical supervision of a fully qualified mental health provider employed by the facility.]
(iv) Case management. When appropriate, and with the consent of the person served, the facility should coordinate the care, treatment, or services, including providing coordinated treatment with other services.
(v) Professional mental health benefits. Professional mental health benefits are billed separately from the intensive outpatient per diem rate only when rendered by an attending, TRICARE authorized qualified mental health provider who is not an employee of, or under contract with, the program for purposes of providing clinical patient care.
(vi) Non-mental health related medical services. Separate billing will be allowed for otherwise covered, non-mental health related medical services.
(11) Opioid treatment programs—(i) In general. Outpatient treatment and management of withdrawal symptoms for substance use disorder provided at a TRICARE authorized opioid treatment program are covered. If the patient is medically in need of management of withdrawal symptoms, but does not require the personnel or facilities of a general hospital setting, services for management of withdrawal symptoms are covered. The medical necessity for the management of withdrawal symptoms must be documented. Any services to manage withdrawal symptoms provided by the opioid treatment program must be under general medical supervision.
(ii) Criteria for determining medical or psychological necessity of an opioid treatment program are set forth in 42 CFR part 8.
(iii) Services and supplies. The following services and supplies are included in the reimbursement approved for an authorized opioid treatment program.
(A) Patient assessment. Includes the assessment of each individual accepted by the facility.
(B) Treatment services. All services, supplies, equipment, and space necessary to fulfill the requirements of each patient’s individualized diagnosis and treatment plan. All mental health services must be provided by a TRICARE authorized individual professional provider of mental health services. [Exception: opioid treatment programs that employ individuals with degrees in a mental health discipline who do not meet the licensure, certification, and experience requirements for a qualified mental health provider but work under the clinical supervision of a fully qualified mental health provider employed by the facility.]
(iv) Case management. Care, treatment, or services should be coordinated among providers and between settings, independent of whether they are provided directly by the organization or by an organization or by an outside source, so that the individual’s needs are addressed in a seamless, synchronized, and timely manner.
(c) Professional services benefit—(1) General. Benefits may be extended for those covered services described in paragraph (c) of this section that are provided in accordance with good medical practice and established standards of quality by physicians or other authorized individual professional providers, as set forth in § 199.6 of this part. Such benefits are subject to all applicable definitions, conditions, exceptions, limitations, or exclusions as maybe otherwise set forth in this or other Sections of this part. Except as otherwise specifically authorized, to be considered for benefits under paragraph (c) of this section, the described services must be rendered by a physician, or prescribed, ordered, and referred medically by a physician to other authorized individual professional providers. Further, except under specifically defined circumstances, there should be an attending physician in any episode of care. (For example, certain services of a clinical psychologist are exempt from this requirement. For these exceptions, refer to § 199.6.)
(i) Billing practices. To be considered for benefits under paragraph (c) of this section, covered professional services must be performed personally by the physician or other authorized individual professional provider, who is other than a salaried or contractual staff member of a hospital or other authorized institution, and who ordinarily and customarily bills on a fee-for-service basis for professional services rendered. Such billings must be itemized fully and be sufficiently descriptive to permit CHAMPUS to determine whether benefits are authorized by this part. See paragraph (c)(3)(xiii) of this section for the requirements regarding the special circumstances for teaching physicians. For continuing professional care, claims should be submitted to the appropriate CHAMPUS fiscal intermediary at least every 30 days either by the beneficiary or sponsor, or directly by the physician or other authorized individual professional provider on behalf of a beneficiary (refer to § 199.7).
(ii) Services must be related. Covered professional services must be rendered in connection with and directly related to a covered diagnosis or definitive set of symptoms requiring medically necessary treatment.
(iii) Telehealth services. Health care services covered by TRICARE and provided through the use of telehealth modalities including telephone services for: telephonic office visits; telephonic consultations; electronic transmission of data or biotelemetry or remote physiologic monitoring services and supplies, are covered services to the same extent as if provided in person at the location of the patient if those services are medically necessary and appropriate for such modalities. The Director will establish special procedures for payment for such services. Additionally, where appropriate, in order to incentive the use of telehealth services, the Director may modify the otherwise applicable beneficiary cost-sharing requirements in paragraph (f) of this section which otherwise apply.
(2) Covered services of physicians and other authorized profession providers.
(i) Surgery. Surgery means operative procedures, including related preoperative and postoperative care; reduction of fractures and dislocations; injection and needling procedures of the joints; laser surgery of the eye; and the following procedures:
The Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, shall determine such additional procedures that may fall within the intent of this definition of “surgery.”
(ii) Surgical assistance.
(iii) Inpatient medical services.
(iv) Outpatient medical services.
(v) Psychiatric services.
(vi) Consultation services.
(vii) Anesthesia services.
(viii) Radiation therapy services.
(ix) X-ray services.
(x) Laboratory and pathological services.
(xi) Physical medicine services or physiatry services.
(xii) Maternity care.
(xiii) Well-child care.
(xiv) Other medical care. Other medical care includes, but is not limited to, hemodialysis, inhalation therapy, shock therapy, and chemotherapy. The Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, shall determine those additional medical services for which benefits may be extended under this paragraph.
A separate professional charge for the oral administration of approved antineoplastic drugs is not covered.
(xv) [Reserved]
(xvi) Routine eye examinations. Coverage for routine eye examinations is limited to dependents of active duty members, to one examination per calendar year per person, and to services rendered on or after October 1, 1984, except as provided under paragraph (c)(3)(xi) of this section.
(3) Extent of professional benefits—
(i) Multiple Surgery. In cases of multiple surgical procedures performed during the same operative session, benefits shall be extended as follows:
(A) One hundred (100) percent of the CHAMPUS-determined allowable charge for the major surgical procedure (the procedure for which the greatest amount is payable under the applicable reimbursement method); and
(B) Fifty (50) percent of the CHAMPUS-determined allowable charge for each of the other surgical procedures;
(C) Except that:
(1) If the multiple surgical procedures include an incidental procedure, no benefits shall be allowed for the incidental procedure.
(2) If the multiple surgical procedures involve specific procedures identified by the Director, OCHAMPUS, benefits shall be limited as set forth in CHAMPUS instructions.
(ii) Different types of inpatient care, concurrent. If a beneficiary receives inpatient medical care during the same admission in which he or she also receives surgical care or maternity care, the beneficiary shall be entitled to the greater of the CHAMPUS-determined allowable charge for either the inpatient medical care or surgical or maternity care received, as the case may be, but not both; except that the provisions of this paragraph (c)(3)(ii) shall not apply if such inpatient medical care is for a diagnosed condition requiring inpatient medical care not related to the condition for which surgical care or maternity care is received, and is received from a physician other than the one rendering the surgical care or maternity care.
This provision is not meant to imply that when extra time and special effort are required due to postsurgical or postdelivery complications, the attending physician may not request special consideration for a higher than usual charge.
(iii) Need for surgical assistance. Surgical assistance is payable only when the complexity of the procedure warrants a surgical assistant (other than the surgical nurse or other such operating room personnel), subject to utilization review. In order for benefits to be extended for surgical assistance service, the primary surgeon may be required to certify in writing to the nonavailability of a qualified intern, resident, or other house physician. When a claim is received for a surgical assistant involving the following circumstances, special review is required to ascertain whether the surgical assistance service meets the medical necessity and other requirements of paragraph (c) of this section.
(A) If the surgical assistance occurred in a hospital that has a residency program in a specialty appropriate to the surgery;
(B) If the surgery was performed by a team of surgeons;
(C) If there were multiple surgical assistants; or
(D) If the surgical assistant was a partner of or from the same group of practicing physicians as the attending surgeon.
(iv) Aftercare following surgery. Except for those diagnostic procedures classified as surgery in paragraph (c) of this section, and injection and needling procedures involving the joints, the benefit payments made for surgery (regardless of the setting in which it is rendered) include normal aftercare, whether the aftercare is billed for by the physician or other authorized individual professional provider on a global, all-inclusive basis, or billed for separately.
(v) Cast and sutures, removal. The benefit payments made for the application of a cast or of sutures normally covers the postoperative care including the removal of the cast or sutures. When the application is made in one geographical location and the removal of the cast or sutures must be done in another geographical location, a separate benefit payment may be provided for the removal. The intent of this provision is to provide a separate benefit only when it is impracticable for the beneficiary to use the services of the provider that applied the cast originally. Benefits are not available for the services of a second provider if those services reasonably could have been rendered by the individual professional provider who applied the cast or sutures initially.
(vi) Inpatient care, concurrent. Concurrent inpatient care by more than one individual professional provider is covered if required because of the severity and complexity of the beneficiary’s condition or because the beneficiary has multiple conditions that require treatment by providers of different specialties. Any claim for concurrent care must be reviewed before extending benefits in order to ascertain the condition of the beneficiary at the time the concurrent care was rendered. In the absence of such determination, benefits are payable only for inpatient care rendered by one attending physician or other authorized individual professional provider.
(vii) Consultants who become the attending surgeon. A consultation performed within 3 days of surgery by the attending physician is considered a preoperative examination. Preoperative examinations are an integral part of the surgery and a separate benefit is not payable for the consultation. If more than 3 days elapse between the consultation and surgery (performed by the same physician), benefits may be extended for the consultation, subject to review.
(viii) Anesthesia administered by the attending physician. A separate benefit is not payable for anesthesia administered by the attending physician (surgeon or obstetrician) or dentist, or by the surgical, obstetrical, or dental assistant.
(ix) Treatment of mental disorders, to include substance use disorder. In order to qualify for CHAMPUS mental health benefits, the patient must be diagnosed by a TRICARE authorized qualified mental health professional practicing within the scope of his or her license to be suffering from a mental disorder, as defined in § 199.2
(A) Covered diagnostic and therapeutic services. CHAMPUS benefits are payable for the following services when rendered in the diagnosis or treatment of a covered mental disorder by a TRICARE authorized qualified mental health provider practicing within the scope of his or her license. Qualified mental health providers are: Psychiatrists or other physicians; clinical psychologists, certified psychiatric nurse specialists, certified clinical social workers, certified marriage and family therapists, TRICARE certified mental health counselors, pastoral counselors under a physician’s supervision, and supervised mental health counselors under a physician’s supervision.
(1) Individual psychotherapy, adult or child. A covered individual psychotherapy session is no more than 60 minutes in length. An individual psychotherapy session of up to 120 minutes in length is payable for crisis intervention.
(2) Group psychotherapy. A covered group psychotherapy session is no more than 90 minutes in length.
(3) Family or conjoint psychotherapy. A covered family or conjoint psychotherapy session is no more than 90 minutes in length. A family or conjoint psychotherapy session of up to 180 minutes in length is payable for crisis intervention.
(4) Psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis is covered when provided by a graduate or candidate of a psychoanalytic training institution recognized by the American Psychoanalytic Association and when preauthorized by the Director, or a designee.
(5) Psychological testing and assessment. Psychological testing and assessment is covered when medically or psychologically necessary. Psychological testing and assessment performed as part of an assessment for academic placement are not covered.
(6) Administration of psychotropic drugs. When prescribed by an authorized provider qualified by licensure to prescribe drugs.
(7) Electroconvulsive treatment. When provided in accordance with guidelines issued by the Director.
(8) Collateral visits. Covered collateral visits are those that are medically or psychologically necessary for the treatment of the patient.
(9) Medication assisted treatment. Medication assisted treatment, combining pharmacotherapy and holistic care, to include provision in office-based opioid treatment by an authorized TRICARE provider, is covered. The practice of an individual physician in office-based treatment is regulated by the Department of Health and Human Services’ 42 CFR 8.12,
the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), along with individual state and local regulations.
(B) Therapeutic settings—(1) Outpatient psychotherapy. Outpatient psychotherapy generally is covered for individual, family, conjoint, collateral, and/or group sessions.
(2) Inpatient psychotherapy. Coverage of inpatient psychotherapy is based on medical or psychological necessity for the services identified in the patient’s treatment plan.
(C) Covered ancillary therapies. Includes art, music, dance, occupational, and other ancillary therapies, when included by the attending provider in an approved inpatient, SUDRF, residential treatment, partial hospital, or intensive outpatient program treatment plan and under the clinical supervision of a qualified mental health professional. These ancillary therapies are not separately reimbursed professional services but are included within the institutional reimbursement.
(D) Review of claims for treatment of mental disorder. The Director shall establish and maintain procedures for review, including professional review, of the services provided for the treatment of mental disorders.
(x) Physical and occupational therapy. Assessment and treatment services of a CHAMPUS-authorized physical or occupational therapist may be cost-shared when:
(A) The services are prescribed and monitored by a physician, certified physician assistant, certified nurse practitioner or Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (Podiatrist) acting within the scope of their license.
(B) The purpose of the prescription is to reduce the disabling effects of an illness, injury, or neuromuscular disorder; and
(C) The prescribed treatment increases, stabilizes, or slows the deterioration of the beneficiary’s ability to perform specified purposeful activity in the manner, or within the range considered normal, for a human being.
(xi) Well-child care. Benefits routinely are covered for well-child care from birth to under six years of age. These periodic health examinations are designed for prevention, early detection and treatment of disease and consist of screening procedures, immunizations and risk counseling.
(A) The following services are covered when required as a part of the specific well-child care program and when rendered by the attending pediatrician, family physician, certified nurse practitioner, or certified physician assistant.
(1) Newborn examination, heredity and metabolic screening, and newborn circumcision.
(2) Periodic health supervision visits, in accordance with American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines, intended to promote the optimal health for infants and children to include the following services:
(i) History and physical examination and mental health assessment.
(ii) Vision, hearing, and dental screening.
(iii) Developmental appraisal to include body measurement.
(iv) Immunizations as recommenced by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
(v) Pediatric risk assessment for lead exposure and blood lead level test.
(vi) Tuberculosis screening.
(vii) Blood pressure screening.
(viii) Measurement of hemoglobin and hematocrit for anemia.
(ix) Urinalysis.
(x) Health guidance and counseling, including breastfeeding and nutrition counseling.
(B) Additional services or visits required because of specific findings or because the particular circumstances of the individual case are covered if medically necessary and otherwise authorized for benefits under CHAMPUS.
(C) The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Health Services Financing, will determine when such services are separately reimbursable apart from the health supervision visit.
(xii) [Reserved]
(xiii) Physicians in a teaching setting.
(A) Teaching physicians.
(1) General. The services of teaching physicians may be reimbursed on an allowable charge basis only when the teaching physician has established an attending physician relationship between the teaching physician and the patient or when the teaching physician provides distinct, identifiable, personal services (e.g., services rendered as a consultant, assistant surgeon, etc.). Attending physician services may include both direct patient care services or direct supervision of care provided by a physician in training. In order to be considered an attending physician, the teaching physician must:
(i) Review the patient’s history and the record of examinations and tests in the institution, and make frequent reviews of the patient’s progress; and
(ii) Personally examine the patient; and
(iiii) Confirm or revise the diagnosis and determine the course of treatment to be followed; and
(iv) Either perform the physician’s services required by the patient or supervise the treatment so as to assure that appropriate services are provided by physicians in training and that the care meets a proper quality level; and
(v) Be present and ready to perform any service performed by an attending physician in a nonteaching setting when a major surgical procedure or a complex or dangerous medical procedure is performed; and
(vi) Be personally responsible for the patient’s care, at least throughout the period of hospitalization.
(2) Direct supervision by an attending physician of care provided by physicians in training. Payment on the basis of allowable charges may be made for the professional services rendered to a beneficiary by his/her attending physician when the attending physician provides personal and identifiable direction to physicians in training who are participating in the care of the patient. It is not necessary that the attending physician be personally present for all services, but the attending physician must be on the provider’s premises and available to provide immediate personal assistance and direction if needed.
(3) Individual, personal services. A teaching physician may be reimbursed on an allowable charge basis for any individual, identifiable service rendered to a CHAMPUS beneficiary, so long as the service is a covered service and is normally reimbursed separately, and so long as the patient records substantiate the service.
(4) Who may bill. The services of a teaching physician must be billed by the institutional provider when the physician is employed by the provider or a related entity or under a contract which provides for payment to the physician by the provider or a related entity. Where the teaching physician has no relationship with the provider (except for standard physician privileges to admit patients) and generally treats patients on a fee-for-service basis in the private sector, the teaching physician may submit claims under his/her own provider number.
(B) Physicians in training. Physicians in training in an approved teaching program are considered to be “students” and may not be reimbursed directly by CHAMPUS for services rendered to a beneficiary when their services are provided as part of their employment (either salaried or contractual) by a hospital or other institutional provider. Services of physicians in training may be reimbursed on an allowable charge basis only if:
(1) The physician in training is fully licensed to practice medicine by the state in which the services are performed, and
(2) The services are rendered outside the scope and requirements of the approved training program to which the physician in training is assigned.
(d) Other benefits—(1) General. Benefits may be extended for the allowable charge of those other covered services and supplies described in paragraph (d) of this section, which are provided in accordance with good medical practice and established standards of quality by those other authorized providers described in § 199.6. Such benefits are subject to all applicable definitions, conditions, limitations, or exclusions as otherwise may be set forth in this or other chapters of this Regulation. To be considered for benefits under paragraph (d) of this section, the described services or supplies must be prescribed and ordered by a physician. Other authorized individual professional providers acting within their scope of licensure may also prescribe and order these services and supplies unless otherwise specified in paragraph (d) of this section.
(2) Billing practices. To be considered for benefits under paragraph (d) of this section, covered services and supplies must be provided and billed for by an authorized provider as set forth in § 199.6 of this part. Such billing must be itemized fully and described sufficiently, even when CHAMPUS payment is determined under the CHAMPUS DRG-based payment system, so that CHAMPUS can determine whether benefits are authorized by this part. Except for claims subject to the CHAMPUS DRG-based payment system, whenever continuing charges are involved, claims should be submitted to the appropriate CHAMPUS fiscal intermediary at least every 30 days (monthly) either by the beneficiary or sponsor or directly by the provider. For claims subject to the CHAMPUS DRG-based payment system, claims may be submitted only after the beneficiary has been discharged or transferred from the hospital.
(3) Other covered services and supplies—(i) Blood. If whole blood or plasma (or its derivatives) are provided and billed for by an authorized institution in connection with covered treatment, benefits are extended as set forth in paragraph (b) of this section. If blood is billed for directly to a beneficiary, benefits may be extended under paragraph (d) in the same manner as a medical supply.
(ii) Durable equipment—(A) Scope of benefit. (1) Durable equipment, which is for the specific use of the beneficiary and is ordered by an authorized individual professional provider listed in § 199.6(c)(3)(i), (ii) or (iii), acting within his or her scope of licensure shall be covered if the durable equipment meets the definition in § 199.2 and—
(i) Provides the medically appropriate level of performance and quality for the medical condition present and
(ii) Is not otherwise excluded by this part.
(2) Items that may be provided to a beneficiary as durable equipment include:
(i) Durable medical equipment as defined in § 199.2;
(ii) Wheelchairs. A wheelchair, which is medically appropriate to provide basic mobility, including reasonable additional costs for medically appropriate modifications to accommodate a particular physiological or medical need, may be covered as durable equipment. An electric wheelchair, or TRICARE approved alternative to an electric wheelchair (e.g., scooter) may be provided in lieu of a manual wheelchair when it is medically indicated and appropriate to provide basic mobility. Luxury or deluxe wheelchairs, as described in paragraph (d)(3)(ii)(A)(3) of this section, include features beyond those required for basic mobility of a particular beneficiary are not authorized.
(iii) Iron lungs.
(iv) Hospital beds.
(v) Cardiorespiratory monitors under conditions specified in paragraph (d)(3)(ii)(B) of this section.
(3) Whether a prescribed item of durable equipment provides the medically appropriate level of performance and quality for the beneficiary’s condition must be supported by adequate documentation. Luxury, deluxe, immaterial, or non- essential features, which increase the cost of the item relative to a similar item without those features, based on industry standards for a particular item at the time the equipment is prescribed or replaced for a beneficiary, are not authorized. Only the “base” or “basic” model of equipment (or more cost- effective alternative equipment) shall be covered, unless customization of the equipment, or any accessory or item of supply for any durable medical equipment, is essential, as determined by the Director (or designee), for—
(i) Achieving therapeutic benefit for the patient;
(ii) Making the equipment serviceable; or
(iii) Otherwise assuring the proper functioning of the equipment.
(B) Cardiorespiratory monitor exception. (1) When prescribed by a physician who is otherwise eligible as a CHAMPUS individual professional provider, or who is on active duty with a United States Uniformed Service, an electronic cardiorespiratory monitor, including technical support necessary for the proper use of the monitor, may be cost-shared as durable medical equipment when supervised by the prescribing physician for in-home use by:
(i) An infant beneficiary who has had an apparent life-threatening event, as defined in guidelines issued by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, or
(ii) An infant beneficiary who is a subsequent or multiple birth biological sibling of a victim of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), or
(iii) An infant beneficiary whose birth weight was 1,500 grams or less, or
(iv) An infant beneficiary who is a pre-term infant with pathologic apnea, as defined in guidelines issued by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, or
(v) Any beneficiary who has a condition or suspected condition designated in guidelines issued by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, for which the in-home use of the cardiorespiratory monitor otherwise meets Basic Program requirements.
(2) The following types of services and items may be cost-shared when provided in conjunction with an otherwise authorized cardiorespiratory monitor:
(i) Trend-event recorder, including technical support necessary for the proper use of the recorder.
(ii) Analysis of recorded physiological data associated with monitor alarms.
(iii) Professional visits for services otherwise authorized by this part, and for family training on how to respond to an apparent life threatening event.
(iv) Diagnostic testing otherwise authorized by this part.
(C) Exclusions. Durable equipment, which is otherwise qualified as a benefit is excluded from coverage under the following circumstances:
(1) Durable equipment for a beneficiary who is a patient in a type of facility that ordinarily provides the same type of durable equipment item to its patients at no additional charge in the usual course of providing its services.
(2) Durable equipment, which is available to the beneficiary from a Uniformed Services Medical Treatment Facility.
(D) Basis for reimbursement. (1) Durable equipment may be provided on a rental or purchase basis. Coverage of durable equipment will be based on the price most advantageous to the government taking into consideration the anticipated duration of the medically necessary need for the equipment and current price information for the type of item. The cost analysis must include a comparison of the total price of the item as a monthly rental charge, a lease-purchase price, and a lump-sum purchase price and a provision for the time value of money at the rate determined by the U.S. Department of Treasury. If a beneficiary wishes to obtain an item of durable equipment with deluxe, luxury, immaterial or non-essential features, the beneficiary may agree to accept TRICARE coverage limited to the allowable amount that would have otherwise been authorized for a similar item without those features. In that case, the TRICARE coverage is based upon the allowable amount for the kind of durable equipment normally used to meet the intended purpose (i.e., the standard item least costly). The provider shall not hold the beneficiary liable for deluxe, luxury, immaterial, or non- essential features that cannot be considered in determining the TRICARE allowable costs. However, the beneficiary shall be held liable if the provider has a specific agreement in writing from the beneficiary (or his or her representative) accepting liability for the itemized difference in costs of the durable equipment with deluxe, luxury, or immaterial features and the TRICARE allowable costs for an otherwise authorized item without such features.
(2) In general, repairs of beneficiary owned durable equipment are covered when necessary to make the equipment serviceable and replacement of durable equipment is allowed when the durable equipment is not serviceable because of normal wear, accidental damage or when necessitated by a change in the beneficiary’s condition. However, repairs of durable equipment damaged while using the equipment in a manner inconsistent with its common use, and replacement of lost or stolen rental durable equipment are excluded from coverage. In addition, repairs of deluxe, luxury, or immaterial features of durable equipment are excluded from coverage.
(iii) Medical supplies and dressings (consumables)—(A) In general. In general, medical supplies and dressings (consumables) are those that do not withstand prolonged, repeated use. Such items must be related directly to an appropriate and verified covered medical condition of the specific beneficiary for whom the item was purchased and obtained from a medical supply company, a pharmacy, or authorized institutional provider. Examples of covered medical supplies and dressings are disposable syringes for a known diabetic, colostomy sets, irrigation sets, and elastic bandages. An external surgical garment specifically designed for use follow a mastectomy is considered a medical supply item.
Generally, the allowable charge of a medical supply item will be under $100. Any item over this amount must be reviewed to determine whether it would qualify as a DME item. If it is, in fact, a medical supply item and does not represent an excessive charge, it can be considered for benefits under paragraph (d)(3)(iii) of this section.
(B) Medically necessary food and medical equipment and supplies necessary to administer such food (other than durable medical equipment and supplies) when prescribed for dietary management of a covered disease or condition. (1) Medically necessary food, including a low protein modified food product or an amino acid preparation product, may be covered when:
(i) Furnished pursuant to the prescription, order, or recommendation of a TRICARE authorized provider acting within the provider’s scope of license/certificate of practice, for the dietary management of a covered disease or condition;
(ii) Is a specifically formulated and processed product (as opposed to a naturally occurring foodstuff used in its natural state) for the partial or exclusive feeding of an individual by means of oral intake or enteral feeding by tube;
(iii) Is intended for the dietary management of an individual who, because of therapeutic or chronic medical needs, has limited or impaired capacity to ingest, digest, absorb, or metabolize ordinary foodstuffs or certain nutrients, or who has other special medically determined nutrient requirements, the dietary management of which cannot be achieved by the modification of the normal diet alone;
(iv) Is intended to be used under medical supervision, which may include in a home setting; and
(v) Is intended only for an individual receiving active and ongoing medical supervision under which the individual requires medical care on a recurring basis for, among other things, instructions on the use of the food.
(2) Medically necessary food does not include:
(i) Food taken as part of an overall diet designed to reduce the risk of a disease or medical condition or as weight-loss products, even if the food is recommended by a physician or other health care professional;
(ii) Food marketed as gluten-free for the management of celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity;
(iii) Food marketed for the management of diabetes; or
(iv) Such other products as the Director, Defense Health Agency determines appropriate.
(3) Covered disease or condition under paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(B) of this section means:
(i) Inborn errors of metabolism;
(ii) Medical conditions of malabsorption;
(iii) Pathologies of the alimentary tract or the gastrointestinal tract;
(iv) A neurological or physiological condition; and
(v) Such other diseases or conditions the Director, Defense Health Agency determines appropriate.
(iv) Oxygen. Oxygen and equipment for its administration are covered. Benefits are limited to providing a tank unit at one location with oxygen limited to a 30-day supply at any one time. Repair and adjustment of CHAMPUS-purchased oxygen equipment also is covered.
(v) Ambulance. Civilian ambulance service is covered when medically necessary in connection with otherwise covered services and supplies and a covered medical condition. For the purpose of TRICARE payment, ambulance service is an outpatient service (including in connection with maternity care) with the exception of otherwise covered transfers between hospitals which are cost-shared on an inpatient basis. Ambulance transfers from a hospital based emergency room to another hospital more capable of providing the required care will also be cost-shared on an inpatient basis.
The inpatient cost-sharing provisions for ambulance transfers only apply to otherwise covered transfers between hospitals, i.e., acute care, general, and special hospitals; psychiatric hospitals; and long-term hospitals.
(A) Ambulance service cannot be used instead of taxi service and is not payable when the patient’s condition would have permitted use of regular private transportation; nor is it payable when transport or transfer of a patient is primarily for the purpose of having the patient nearer to home, family, friends, or personal physician. Except as described in paragraph (d)(3)(v)(C)(1) of this section transport must be to the closest appropriate facility by the least costly means.
(B) Vehicles such as medicabs or ambicabs function primarily as public passenger conveyances transporting patients to and from their medical appointments. No actual medical care is provided to the patients in transit. These types of vehicles do not qualify for benefits for the purpose of CHAMPUS payment.
(C) Except as described in paragraph (d)(3)(v)(C)(1)(1) of this section, ambulance services by other than land vehicles (such as a boat or airplane) may be considered only when the pickup point is inaccessible by a land vehicle, or when great distance or other obstacles are involved in transporting the patient to the nearest hospital with appropriate facilities and the patient’s medical condition warrants speedy admission or is such that transfer by other means is contraindicated.
(1) Advanced life support air ambulance and certified advanced life support attendant are covered services for solid organ and stem cell transplant candidates.
(2) Advanced life support air ambulance and certified advanced life support attendant shall be reimbursed subject to standard reimbursement methodologies.
(vi) Drugs and medicines. Drugs and medicines that by United States law require a prescription are also referred to as “legend drugs.” Legend drugs are covered when prescribed by a physician or other authorized individual professional provider acting within the scope of the provider’s license and ordered or prescribed in connection with an otherwise covered condition or treatment, and not otherwise excluded by TRICARE. This includes Rh immune globulin.
(A) Drugs administered by a physician or other authorized individual professional provider as an integral part of a procedure covered under paragraph (b) or (c) of this section (such as chemotherapy) are not covered under this subparagraph inasmuch as the benefit for the institutional services or the professional services in connection with the procedure itself also includes the drug used.
(B) CHAMPUS benefits may not be extended for drugs not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for commercial marketing. Drugs grandfathered by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938 may be covered under CHAMPUS as if FDA approved.
(C) Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs (drugs that by United States law do not require a prescription), in general, are not covered. However, insulin is covered for a known diabetic even in states that do not require a prescription for its purchase. In addition, OTC drugs used for smoking cessation are covered when all requirements under the TRICARE smoking cessation program are met as provided in paragraph (e)(30) of this section.
(D) Medically necessary vitamins used for the management of a covered disease or condition pursuant to a prescription, order, or recommendation of a TRICARE authorized provider acting within the provider’s scope of license/certificate of practice. For purposes of this paragraph (d)(3)(vi)(D), the term “covered disease or condition” means:
(1) Inborn errors of metabolism;
(2) Medical conditions of malabsorption;
(3) Pathologies of the alimentary tract or the gastrointestinal tract;
(4) A neurological or physiological condition;
(5) Pregnancy in relation to prenatal vitamins, with the limitation the prenatal vitamins that require a prescription in the United States may be covered for prenatal care only;
(6) Such other disease or conditions the Director, Defense Health Agency determines appropriate.
(vii) Prosthetics, prosthetic devices, and prosthetic supplies, as determined by the Secretary of Defense to be necessary because of significant conditions resulting from trauma, congenital anomalies, or disease. Additionally, the following are covered:
(A) Any accessory or item of supply that is used in conjunction with the device for the purpose of achieving therapeutic benefit and proper functioning;
(B) Services necessary to train the recipient of the device in the use of the device;
(C) Repair of the device for normal wear and tear or damage;
(D) Replacement of the device if the device is lost or irreparably damaged or the cost of repair would exceed 60 percent of the cost of replacement.
(viii) Orthopedic braces and appliances. The purchase of leg braces (including attached shoes), arm braces, back braces, and neck braces is covered, orthopedic shoes, arch supports, shoe inserts, and other supportive devices for the feet, including special-ordered, custom-made built-up shoes or regular shoes subsequently built up, are not covered.
(ix) Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT). A training service or program that educates diabetic patients about the successful self-management of diabetes. It includes the following criteria: Education about self-monitoring of blood glucose, diet, and exercise; an insulin treatment plan developed specifically for the patient who is insulin-dependent; and motivates the patient to use the skills for self-management. The DSMT service or program must be accredited by the American Diabetes Association.
Coverage limitations on the provision of this benefit will be as determined by the Director, TRICARE Management Activity, or designee.
(e) Special benefit information—(1) General. There are certain circumstances, conditions, or limitations that impact the extension of benefits and that require special emphasis and explanation. This paragraph (e) sets forth those benefits and limitations recognized to be in this category. The benefits and limitations herein described also are subject to all applicable definitions, conditions, limitations, exceptions, and exclusions as set forth in this or other sections of this part, except as otherwise may be provided specifically in this paragraph (e).
(2) Abortion. The statute under which CHAMPUS operates prohibits payment for abortions with one single exception—where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term. Covered abortion services are limited to medical services and supplies only. Physician certification is required attesting that the abortion was performed because the mother’s life would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term. Abortions performed for suspected or confirmed fetal abnormality (e.g., anencephalic) or for mental health reasons (e.g., threatened suicide) do not fall within the exceptions permitted within the language of the statute and are not authorized for payment under CHAMPUS.
Covered abortion services are limited to medical services or supplies only for the single circumstance outlined above and do not include abortion counseling or referral fees. Payment is not allowed for any services involving preparation for, or normal followup to, a noncovered abortion. The Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, shall issue guidelines describing the policy on abortion.
(3) Family planning. The scope of the CHAMPUS family planning benefit is as follows:
(i) Birth control (such as contraception)—(A) Benefits provided. Benefits are available for services and supplies related to preventing conception, including the following:
(1) Surgical inserting, removal, or replacement of intrauterine devices.
(2) Measurement for, and purchase of, contraceptive diaphragms (and later remeasurement and replacement).
(3) Prescription contraceptives.
(4) Surgical sterilization (either male or female).
(B) Exclusions. The family planning benefit does not include the following:
(1) Prophylactics (condoms).
(2) Spermicidal foams, jellies, and sprays not requiring a prescription.
(3) Services and supplies related to noncoital reproductive technologies, including but not limited to artificial insemination (including any costs related to donors or semen banks), in-vitro fertilization and gamete intrafallopian transfer.
(4) Reversal of a surgical sterilization procedure (male or female).
(ii) Genetic testing. Genetic testing essentially is preventive rather than related to active medical treatment of an illness or injury. However, under the family planning benefit, genetic testing is covered when performed in certain high risk situations. For the purpose of CHAMPUS, genetic testing includes to detect developmental abnormalities as well as purely genetic defects.
(A) Benefits provided. Benefits may be extended for genetic testing performed on a pregnant beneficiary under the following prescribed circumstances. The tests must be appropriate to the specific risk situation and must meet one of the following criteria:
(1) The mother-to-be is 35 years old or older; or
(2) The mother- or father-to-be has had a previous child born with a congenital abnormality; or
(3) Either the mother- or father-to-be has a family history of congenital abnormalities; or
(4) The mother-to-be contracted rubella during the first trimester of the pregnancy; or
(5) Such other specific situations as may be determined by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, to fall within the intent of paragraph (e)(3)(ii) of this section.
(B) Exclusions. It is emphasized that routine or demand genetic testing is not covered. Further, genetic testing does not include the following:
(1) Tests performed to establish paternity of a child.
(2) Tests to determine the sex of an unborn child.
(4) [Reserved]
(5) Transplants. (i) Organ transplants. Basic Program benefits are available for otherwise covered services or supplies in connection with an organ transplant procedure, provided such transplant procedure is in accordance with accepted professional medical standards and is not considered unproven.
(A) General. (1) Benefits may be allowed for medically necessary services and supplies related to an organ transplant for:
(i) Evaluation of potential candidate’s suitability for an organ transplant, whether or not the patient is ultimately accepted as a candidate for transplant.
(ii) Pre- and post-transplant inpatient hospital and outpatient services.
(iii) Pre- and post-operative services of the transplant team.
(iv) Blood and blood products.
(v) FDA approved immunosuppression drugs to include off-label uses when determined to be medically necessary for the treatment of the condition for which it is administered, according to accepted standards of medical practice.
(vi) Complications of the transplant procedure, including inpatient care, management of infection and rejection episodes.
(vii) Periodic evaluation and assessment of the successfully transplanted patient.
(viii) The donor acquisition team, including the costs of transportation to the location of the donor organ and transportation of the team and the donated organ to the location of the transplant center.
(ix) The maintenance of the viability of the donor organ after all existing legal requirements for excision of the donor organ have been met.
(2) TRICARE benefits are payable for recipient costs when the recipient of the transplant is a CHAMPUS beneficiary, whether or not the donor is a CHAMPUS beneficiary.
(3) Donor costs are payable when:
(i) Both the donor and recipient are CHAMPUS beneficiaries.
(ii) The donor is a CHAMPUS beneficiary but the recipient is not.
(iii) The donor is the sponsor and the recipient is a CHAMPUS beneficiary. (In such an event, donor costs are paid as a part of the beneficiary and recipient costs.)
(iv) The donor is neither a CHAMPUS beneficiary nor a sponsor, if the recipient is a CHAMPUS beneficiary. (Again, in such an event, donor costs are paid as a part of the beneficiary and recipient costs.)
(4) If the donor is not a CHAMPUS beneficiary, TRICARE benefits for donor costs are limited to those directly related to the transplant procedure itself and do not include any medical care costs related to other treatment of the donor, including complications.
(5) TRICARE benefits will not be allowed for transportation of an organ donor.
(B) [Reserved]
(ii) Stem cell transplants. TRICARE benefits are payable for beneficiaries whose conditions are considered appropriate for stem cell transplant according to guidelines adopted by the Executive Director, TMA, or a designee.
(6) Eyeglasses, spectacles, contact lenses, or other optical devices. Eyeglasses, spectacles, contact lenses, or other optical devices are excluded under the Basic Program except under very limited and specific circumstances.
(i) Exception to general exclusion. Benefits for glasses and lenses may be extended only in connection with the following specified eye conditions and circumstances:
(A) Eyeglasses or lenses that perform the function of the human lens, lost as a result of intraocular surgery or ocular injury or congenital absence.
Notwithstanding the general requirement for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of any surgical implant set forth in paragraph (d)(3)(vii) of this section, intraocular lenses are authorized under CHAMPUS if they are either approved for marketing by FDA or are subject to an investigational device exemption.
(B) “Pinhole” glasses prescribed for use after surgery for detached retina.
(C) Lenses prescribed as “treatment” instead of surgery for the following conditions:
(1) Contract lenses used for treatment of infantile glaucoma.
(2) Corneal or scleral lenses prescribed in connection with treatment of keratoconus.
(3) Scleral lenses prescribed to retain moisture when normal tearing is not present or is inadequate.
(4) Corneal or scleral lenses prescribed to reduce a corneal irregularity other than astigmatism.
(ii) Limitations. The specified benefits are limited further to one set of lenses related to one of the qualifying eye conditions set forth in paragraph (e)(6)(i) of this section. If there is a prescription change requiring a new set of lenses (but still related to the qualifying eye condition), benefits may be extended for a second set of lenses, subject to specific medical review.
(7) [Reserved]
(8) Cosmetic, reconstructive, or plastic surgery. For the purposes of CHAMPUS, cosmetic, reconstructive, or plastic surgery is surgery that can be expected primarily to improve physical appearance or that is performed primarily for psychological purposes or that restores form, but does not correct or improve materially a bodily function.
If a surgical procedure primarily restores function, whether or not there is also a concomitant improvement in physical appearance, the surgical procedure does not fall within the provisions set forth in this paragraph (e)(8).
(i) Limited benefits under CHAMPUS. Benefits under the Basic Program generally are not available for cosmetic, reconstructive, or plastic surgery. However, under certain limited circumstances, benefits for otherwise covered services and supplies may be provided in connection with cosmetic, reconstructive, or plastic surgery as follows:
(A) Correction of a congenital anomaly; or
(B) Restoration of body form following an accidental injury; or
(C) Revision of disfiguring and extensive scars resulting from neoplastic surgery.
(D) Reconstructive breast surgery following a medically necessary mastectomy performed for the treatment of carcinoma, severe fibrocystic disease, other nonmalignant tumors or traumatic injuries.
(E) Penile implants and testicular prostheses for conditions resulting from organic origins (i.e., trauma, radical surgery, disease process, for correction of congenital anomaly, etc.). Also, penile implants for organic impotency.
Organic impotence is defined as that which can be reasonably expected to occur following certain diseases, surgical procedures, trauma, injury, or congenital malformation. Impotence does not become organic because of psychological or psychiatric reasons.
(F) Generally, benefits are limited to those cosmetic, reconstructive, or plastic surgery procedures performed no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the related accidental injury or surgical trauma occurred, except for authorized postmastectomy breast reconstruction for which there is no time limitation between mastectomy and reconstruction. Also, special consideration for exception will be given to cases involving children who may require a growth period.
(ii) General exclusions. (A) For purposes of CHAMPUS, dental congenital anomalies such as absent tooth buds or malocclusion specifically are excluded.
(B) Cosmetic, reconstructive, or plastic surgery procedures performed primarily for psychological reasons or as a result of the aging process also are excluded.
(C) Procedures performed for elective correction of minor dermatological blemishes and marks or minor anatomical anomalies also are excluded.
(D) Any procedures related to sex gender changes, except as provided in paragraph (g)(29) of this section, are excluded.
(iii) Noncovered surgery, all related services and supplies excluded. When it is determined that a cosmetic, reconstructive, or plastic surgery procedure does not qualify for CHAMPUS benefits, all related services and supplies are excluded, including any institutional costs.
(iv) Example of noncovered cosmetic, reconstructive, or plastic surgery procedures. The following is a partial list of cosmetic, reconstructive, or plastic surgery procedures that do not qualify for benefits under CHAMPUS. This list is for example purposes only and is not to be construed as being all-inclusive.
(A) Any procedure performed for personal reasons to improve the appearance of an obvious feature or part of the body that would be considered by an average observer to be normal and acceptable for the patient’s age or ethnic or racial background.
(B) Cosmetic, reconstructive, or plastic surgical procedures that are justified primarily on the basis of a psychological or psychiatric need.
(C) Augmentation mammoplasties. Augmentation mammoplasties, except for breast reconstruction following a covered mastectomy and those specifically authorized in paragraph (e)(8)(i) of this section.
(D) Face lifts and other procedures related to the aging process.
(E) Reduction mammoplasties. Reduction mammoplasties (unless there is medical documentation of intractable pain, not amenable to other forms of treatment, resulting from large, pendulous breasts or unless performed as an integral part of an authorized breast reconstruction procedure under paragraph (e)(8)(i) of this section, including reduction of the collateral breast for purposes of ensuring breast symmetry)
(F) Panniculectomy; body sculpture procedures.
(G) Repair of sagging eyelids (without demonstrated and medically documented significant impairment of vision).
(H) Rhinoplasties (without evidence of accidental injury occurring within the previous 6 months that resulted in significant obstruction of breathing).
(I) Chemical peeling for facial wrinkles.
(J) Dermabrasion of the face.
(K) Elective correction of minor dermatological blemishes and marks or minor anatomical anomalies.
(L) Revision of scars resulting from surgery or a disease process, except disfiguring and extensive scars resulting from neoplastic surgery.
(M) Removal of tattoos.
(N) Hair transplants.
(O) Electrolysis.
(P) [Reserved]
(Q)) Penile implant procedure for psychological impotency or as related to sex gender changes, as prohibited by section 1079 of title 10, United States Code.
(R) Insertion of prosthetic testicles as related to sex gender changes, as prohibited by section 1079 of title 10, United States Code.
(9) Care related to non-covered initial surgery or treatment. (i) Benefits are available for otherwise covered services and supplies required in the treatment of complications resulting from a non-covered incident of treatment (such as nonadjunctive dental care or cosmetic surgery) but only if the later complication represents a separate medical condition such as a systemic infection, cardiac arrest, and acute drug reaction. Benefits may not be extended for any later care or a procedure related to the complication that essentially is similar to the initial non-covered care. Examples of complications similar to the initial episode of care (and thus not covered) would be repair of facial scarring resulting from dermabrasion for acne.
(ii) Benefits are available for otherwise covered services and supplies required in the treatment of complications (unfortunate sequelae) and any necessary follow-on care resulting from a non-covered incident of treatment provided in an MTF, when the initial non-covered service has been authorized by the MTF Commander and the MTF is unable to provide the necessary treatment of the complications or required follow-on care, according to the guidelines adopted by the Director, DHA, or a designee.
(iii) Benefits are available for otherwise covered services and supplies required in the treatment of complications (unfortunate sequelae) and any necessary follow-on care resulting from a non-covered incident of treatment provided in the private sector pursuant to a properly granted waiver under § 199.16(f). The Director, DHA, or designee, shall issue guidelines for implementing this provision.
(10) Dental. TRICARE/CHAMPUS does not include a dental benefit. However, in connection with dental treatment for patients with developmental, mental, or physical disabilities or for pediatric patients age 5 or under, only institutional and anesthesia services may be provided as a benefit. Under very limited circumstances, benefits are available for dental services and supplies when the dental services are adjunctive to otherwise covered medical treatment.
(i) Adjunctive dental care: Limited. Adjunctive dental care is limited to those services and supplies provided under the following conditions:
(A) Dental care which is medically necessary in the treatment of an otherwise covered medical (not dental) condition, is an integral part of the treatment of such medical condition and is essential to the control of the primary medical condition. The following is a list of conditions for which CHAMPUS benefits are payable under this provision:
(1) Intraoral abscesses which extend beyond the dental alveolus.
(2) Extraoral abscesses.
(3) Cellulitis and osteitis which is clearly exacerbating and directly affecting a medical condition currently under treatment.
(4) Removal of teeth and tooth fragments in order to treat and repair facial trauma resulting from an accidental injury.
(5) Myofacial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome.
(6) Total or complete ankyloglossia.
(7) Adjunctive dental and orthodontic support for cleft palate.
(8) The prosthetic replacement of either the maxilla or the mandible due to the reduction of body tissues associated with traumatic injury (e.g., impact, gun shot wound), in addition to services related to treating neoplasms or iatrogenic dental trauma.
The test of whether dental trauma is covered is whether the trauma is solely dental trauma. Dental trauma, in order to be covered, must be related to, and an integral part of medical trauma; or a result of medically necessary treatment of an injury or disease.
(B) Dental care required in preparation for medical treatment of a disease or disorder or required as the result of dental trauma caused by the medically necessary treatment of an injury or disease (iatrogenic).
(1) Necessary dental care including prophylaxis and extractions when performed in preparation for or as a result of in-line radiation therapy for oral or facial cancer.
(2) Treatment of gingival hyperplasia, with or without periodontal disease, as a direct result of prolonged therapy with Dilantin (diphenylhydantoin) or related compounds.
(C) Dental care is limited to the above and similar conditions specifically prescribed by the Director, OCHAMPUS, as meeting the requirements for coverage under the provisions of this section.
(ii) General exclusions. (A) Dental care which is routine, preventative, restorative, prosthodontic, periodontic or emergency does not qualify as adjunctive dental care for the purposes of CHAMPUS except when performed in preparation for or as a result of dental trauma caused by medically necessary treatment of an injury or disease.
(B) The adding or modifying of bridgework and dentures.
(C) Orthodontia, except when directly related to and an integral part of the medical or surgical correction of a cleft palate or when required in preparation for, or as a result of, trauma to the teeth and supporting structures caused by medically necessary treatment of an injury or disease.
(iii) Preauthorization required. In order to be covered, adjunctive dental care requires preauthorization from the Director, TRICARE Management Activity, or a designee, in accordance with paragraph (a)(12) of this section. When adjunctive dental care involves a medical (not dental) emergency (such as facial injuries resulting from an accident), the requirement for preauthorization is waived. Such waiver, however, is limited to the essential adjunctive dental care related to the medical condition requiring the immediate emergency treatment. A complete explanation, with supporting medical documentation, must be submitted with claims for emergency adjunctive dental care.
(iv) Covered oral surgery. Notwithstanding the above limitations on dental care, there are certain oral surgical procedures that are performed by both physicians and dentists, and that are essentially medical rather than dental care. For the purposes of CHAMPUS, the following procedures, whether performed by a physician or dentist, are considered to be in this category and benefits may be extended for otherwise covered services and supplies without preauthorization:
(A) Excision of tumors and cysts of the jaws, cheeks, lips, tongue, and roof and floor of the mouth, when such conditions require a pathological (histological) examination.
(B) Surgical procedures required to correct accidental injuries of the jaws, cheeks, lips, tongue, and roof and floor of the mouth.
(C) Treatment of oral or facial cancer.
(D) Treatment of fractures of facial bones.
(E) External (extra-oral) incision and drainage of cellulitis.
(F) Surgery of accessory sinuses, salivary glands, or ducts.
(G) Reduction of dislocations and the excision of the temporomandibular joints, when surgery is a necessary part of the reduction.
(H) Any oral surgical procedure that falls within the cosmetic, reconstructive, or plastic surgery definition is subject to the limitations and requirements set forth in paragraph (e)(8) of this section.
Extraction of unerupted or partially erupted, malposed or impacted teeth, with or without the attached follicular or development tissues, is not a covered oral surgery procedure except when the care is indicated in preparation for medical treatment of a disease or disorder or required as a result of dental trauma caused by the necessary medical treatment of an injury or illness. Surgical preparation of the mouth for dentures is not covered by CHAMPUS.
(v) Inpatient hospital stay in connection with non-adjunctive, noncovered dental care. Institutional benefits specified in paragraph (b) of this section may be extended for inpatient hospital stays related to noncovered, nonadjunctive dental care when such inpatient stay is medically necessary to safeguard the life of the patient from the effects of dentistry because of the existence of a specific and serious nondental organic impairment currently under active treatment. (Hemophilia is an example of a condition that could be considered a serious nondental impairment.) Preauthorization by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, is required for such inpatient stays to be covered in the same manner as required for adjunctive dental care described in paragraph (e)(10)(iii) of this section. Regardless of whether or not the preauthorization request for the hospital admission is approved and thus qualifies for institutional benefits, the professional service related to the nonadjunctive dental care is not covered.
(vi) Anesthesia and institutional costs for dental care for children and certain other patients. Institutional benefits specified in paragraph (b) of this section may be extended for hospital and in-out surgery settings related to noncovered, nonadjunctive dental care when such outpatient care or inpatient stay is in conjunction with dental treatment for patients with developmental, mental, or physical disabilities or for pediatric patients age 5 or under. For these patients, anesthesia services will be limited to the administration of general anesthesia only. Patients with developmental, mental, or physical disabilities are those patients with conditions that prohibit dental treatment in a safe and effective manner. Therefore, it is medically or psychologically necessary for these patients to require general anesthesia for dental treatment. Patients with physical disabilities include those patients having disabilities as defined in § 199.2 as a serious physical disability. Preauthorization by the Director, TRICARE Management Activity, or a designee, is required for such outpatient care or inpatient stays to be covered in the same manner as required for adjunctive dental care described in paragraph (e)(10)(iii) of this section. Regardless of whether or not the preauthorization request for outpatient care or hospital admission is approved and thus qualifies for institutional benefits, the professional service related to the nonadjunctive dental care is not covered, with the exception of coverage for anesthesia services.
(11) Drug abuse. Under the Basic Program, benefits may be extended for medically necessary prescription drugs required in the treatment of an illness or injury or in connection with maternity care (refer to paragraph (d) of this section). However, TRICARE benefits cannot be authorized to support or maintain an existing or potential drug abuse situation whether or not the drugs (under other circumstances) are eligible for benefit consideration and whether or not obtained by legal means. Drugs, including the substitution of a therapeutic drug with addictive potential for a drug of addiction, prescribed to beneficiaries undergoing medically supervised treatment for a substance use disorder as authorized under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section are not considered to be in support of, or to maintain, an existing or potential drug abuse situation and are allowed. The Director may prescribe appropriate policies to implement this prescription drug benefit for those undergoing medically supervised treatment for a substance use disorder.
(i) Limitations on who can prescribe drugs. CHAMPUS benefits are not available for any drugs prescribed by a member of the beneficiary’s family or by a nonfamily member residing in the same household with the beneficiary or sponsor.
(ii) [Reserved]
(iii) Kinds of prescription drugs that are monitored carefully by CHAMPUS for possible abuse situations—(A) Narcotics. Examples are Morphine and Demerol.
(B) Nonnarcotic analgesics. Examples are Talwin and Darvon.
(C) Tranquilizers. Examples are Valium, Librium, and Meprobamate.
(D) Barbiturates. Examples are Seconal and Nembuttal.
(E) Nonbarbituate hypnotics. Examples are Doriden and Chloral Hydrate.
(F) Stimulants. Examples are amphetamines.
(iv) CHAMPUS fiscal intermediary responsibilities. CHAMPUS fiscal intermediaries are responsible for implementing utilization control and quality assurance procedures designed to identify possible drug abuse situations. The CHAMPUS fiscal intermediary is directed to screen all drug claims for potential overutilization and irrational prescribing of drugs, and to subject any such cases to extensive review to establish the necessity for the drugs and their appropriateness on the basis of diagnosis or definitive symptoms.
(A) When a possible drug abuse situation is identified, all claims for drugs for that specific beneficiary or provider will be suspended pending the results of a review.
(B) If the review determines that a drug abuse situation does in fact exist, all drug claims held in suspense will be denied.
(C) If the record indicates previously paid drug benefits, the prior claims for that beneficiary or provider will be reopened and the circumstances involved reviewed to determine whether or not drug abuse also existed at the time the earlier claims were adjudicated. If drug abuse is later ascertained, benefit payments made previously will be considered to have been extended in error and the amounts so paid recouped.
(D) Inpatient stays primarily for the purpose of obtaining drugs and any other services and supplies related to drug abuse also are excluded.
(v) Unethical or illegal provider practices related to drugs. Any such investigation into a possible drug abuse that uncovers unethical or illegal drug dispensing practices on the part of an institution, a pharmacy, or physician will be referred to the professional or investigative agency having jurisdiction. CHAMPUS fiscal intermediaries are directed to withhold payment of all CHAMPUS claims for services and supplies rendered by a provider under active investigation for possible unethical or illegal drug dispensing activities.
(vi) Detoxification. The above monitoring and control of drug abuse situations shall in no way be construed to deny otherwise covered medical services and supplies related to drug detoxification (including newborn, addicted infants) when medical supervision is required.
(12) [Reserved]
(13) Domiciliary care. The statute under which CHAMPUS operates also specifically excludes domiciliary care (refer to § 199.2 of this part for the definition of “Domiciliary Care”).
(i) Examples of domiciliary care situations. The following are examples of domiciliary care for which CHAMPUS benefits are not payable.
(A) Home care is not available. Institutionalization primarily because parents work, or extension of a hospital stay beyond what is medically necessary because the patient lives alone, are examples of domiciliary care provided because there is no other family member or other person available in the home.
(B) Home care is not suitable. Institutionalization of a child because a parent (or parents) is unable to provide a safe and nurturing environment due to a mental or substance use disorder, or because someone in the home has a contagious disease, are examples of why domiciliary care is being provided because the home setting is unsuitable.
(C) Family unwilling to care for a person in the home. A child who is difficult to manage may be placed in an institution, not because institutional care is medically necessary, but because the family does not want to handle him or her in the home. Such institutionalization would represent domiciliary care, that is, the family being unwilling to assume responsibility for the child.
(ii) Benefits available in connection with a domiciliary care case. Should the beneficiary receive otherwise covered medical services or supplies while also being in a domiciliary care situation, CHAMPUS benefits are payable for those medical services or supplies, or both, in the same manner as though the beneficiary resided in his or her own home. Such benefits would be cost-shared as though rendered to an outpatient.
(iii) General exclusion. Domiciliary care is institutionalization essentially to provide a substitute home—not because it is medically necessary for the beneficiary to be in the institution (although there may be conditions present that have contributed to the fact that domiciliary care is being rendered). CHAMPUS benefits are not payable for any costs or charges related to the provision of domiciliary care. While a substitute home or assistance may be necessary for the beneficiary, domiciliary care does not represent the kind of care for which CHAMPUS benefits can be provided.
(14) CT scanning—(i) Approved CT scan services. Benefits may be extended for medically necessary CT scans of the head or other anatomical regions of the body when all of the following conditions are met:
(A) The patient is referred for the diagnostic procedure by a physician.
(B) The CT scan procedure is consistent with the preliminary diagnosis or symptoms.
(C) Other noninvasive and less costly means of diagnosis have been attempted or are not appropriate.
(D) The CT scan equipment is licensed or registered by the appropriate state agency responsible for licensing or registering medical equipment that emits ionizing radiation.
(E) The CT scan equipment is operated under the general supervision and direction of a physician.
(F) The results of the CT scan diagnostic procedure are interpreted by a physician.
(ii) Review guidelines and criteria. The Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, will issue specific guidelines and criteria for CHAMPUS coverage of medically necessary head and body part CT scans.
(15) Morbid obesity. The TRICARE morbid obesity benefit is limited to those bariatric surgical procedures for which the safety and efficacy has been proven comparable or superior to conventional therapies and is consistent with the generally accepted norms for medical practice in the United States medical community. (See the definition of reliable evidence in § 199.2 of this part for the procedures used in determining if a medical treatment or procedure is unproven.)
(i) Conditions for coverage. (A) Payment for bariatric surgical procedures is determined by the requirements specified in paragraph (g)(15) of this section, and as defined in § 199.2(b) of this part.
(B) Covered bariatric surgical procedures are payable only when the patient has completed growth (18 years of age or documentation of completion of bone growth) and has met one of the following selection criteria:
(1) The patient has a BMI that is equal to or exceeds 40 kg/m
(2) The patient has a BMI of 35 to 39.9 kg/m
The Director, TMA, shall issue guidelines for review of the specific high-risk co-morbid conditions, exacerbated or caused by obesity based on the Reliable Evidence Standard as defined in § 199.2 of this part.
(ii) Treatment of complications. (A) Payment may be extended for repeat bariatric surgery when medically necessary to correct or treat complications from the initial covered bariatric surgery (a takedown). For instance, the surgeon in many cases will do a gastric bypass or gastroplasty to help the patient avoid regaining the weight that was lost. In this situation, payment is authorized even though the patient’s condition technically may not meet the definition of morbid obesity because of the weight that was already lost following the initial surgery.
(B) Payment is authorized for otherwise covered medical services and supplies directly related to complications of obesity when such services and supplies are an integral and necessary part of the course of treatment that was aggravated by the obesity.
(iii) Exclusions. CHAMPUS payment may not be extended for weight control services, weight control/loss programs, dietary regimens and supplements, appetite suppressants and other medications; food or food supplements, exercise and exercise programs, or other programs and equipment that are primarily intended to control weight or for the purpose of weight reduction, regardless of the existence of co-morbid conditions.
(16) Maternity care. (i) Benefit. The CHAMPUS Basic Program may share the cost of medically necessary services and supplies associated with maternity care which are not otherwise excluded by this part.
(ii) Cost-share. Maternity care cost-share shall be determined as follows:
(A) Inpatient cost-share formula applies to maternity care ending in childbirth in, or on the way to, a hospital inpatient childbirth unit, and for maternity care ending in a non-birth outcome not otherwise excluded by this part.
(B) Ambulatory surgery cost-share formula applies to maternity care ending in childbirth in, or on the way to, a birthing center to which the beneficiary is admitted and from which the beneficiary has received prenatal care, or a hospital-based outpatient birthing room.
(C) Outpatient cost-share formula applies to maternity care which terminates in a planned childbirth at home.
(D) Otherwise covered medical services and supplies directly related to “Complications of pregnancy,” as defined in § 199.2 of this part, will be cost-shared on the same basis as the related maternity care for a period not to exceed 42 days following termination of the pregnancy and thereafter cost-shared on the basis of the inpatient or outpatient status of the beneficiary when medically necessary services and supplies are received.
(17) Biofeedback Therapy. Biofeedback therapy is a technique by which a person is taught to exercise control over a physiologic process occurring within the body. By using modern biomedical instruments the patient learns how a specific physiologic system within his body operates and how to modify the performance of this particular system.
(i) Benefits Provided. CHAMPUS benefits are payable for services and supplies in connection with electrothermal, electromyograph and electrodermal biofeedback therapy when there is documentation that the patient has undergone an appropriate medical evaluation, that their present condition is not responding to or no longer responds to other forms of conventional treatment, and only when provided as treatment for the following conditions:
(A) Adjunctive treatment for Raynaud’s Syndrome.
(B) Adjunctive treatment for muscle re-education of specific muscle groups or for treating pathological muscle abnormalities of spasticity, or incapacitating muscle spasm or weakness.
(ii) Limitations. Payable benefits include initial intake evaluation. Treatment following the initial intake evaluation is limited to a maximum of 20 inpatient and outpatient biofeedback treatments per calendar year.
(iii) Exclusions. Benefits are excluded for biofeedback therapy for the treatment of ordinary muscle tension states or for psychosomatic conditions. Benefits are also excluded for the rental or purchase of biofeedback equipment.
(iv) Provider Requirements. A provider of biofeedback therapy must be a CHAMPUS-authorized provider. (Refer to § 199.6, “Authorized Providers). If biofeedback treatment is provided by other than a physician, the patient must be referred by a physician.
(v) Implementation Guidelines. The Director of OCHAMPUS shall issue guidelines as are necessary to implement the provision of this paragraph.
(18) Cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac rehabilitation is the process by which individuals are restored to their optimal physical, medical, and psychological status, after a cardiac event. Cardiac rehabilitation is often divided into three phases. Phase I begins during inpatient hospitalization and is managed by the patient’s personal physician. Phase II is a medically supervised outpatient program which begins following discharge. Phase III is a lifetime maintenance program emphasizing continuation of physical fitness with periodic followup. Each phase includes an exercise component, patient education, and risk factor modification. There may be considerable variation in program components, intensity, and duration.
(i) Benefits Provided. CHAMPUS benefits are available on an inpatient or outpatient basis for services and supplies provided in connection with a cardiac rehabilitation program when ordered by a physician and provided as treatment for patients who have experienced the following cardiac events within the preceding twelve (12) months:
(A) Myocardial Infarction.
(B) Coronary Artery Bypass Graft.
(C) Coronary Angioplasty.
(D) Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty
(E) Chronic Stable Angina (see limitations below).
(F) Heart valve surgery.
(G) Heart or Heart-lung Transplantation.
(ii) Limitations. Payable benefits include separate allowance for the initial evaluation and testing. Outpatient treatment following the initial intake evaluation and testing is limited to a maximum of thirty-six (36) sessions per cardiac event, usually provided 3 sessions per week for twelve (12) weeks. Patients diagnosed with chronic stable angina are limited to one treatment episode (36 sessions) in a calendar year.
(iii) Exclusions. Phase III cardiac rehabilitation lifetime maintenance programs performed at home or in medically unsupervised settings are not covered.
(iv) Providers. A provider of cardiac rehabilitation services must be a TRICARE authorized hospital (see § 199.6 (b)(4)(i)) or a freestanding cardiac rehabilitation facility that meets the requirements of § 199.6 (f). All cardiac rehabilitation services must be ordered by a physician.
(v) Payment. Payment for outpatient treatment will be based on an all inclusive allowable charge per session. Inpatient treatment will be paid based upon the reimbursement system in place for the hospital where the services are rendered.
(vi) Implementation Guidelines. The Director of OCHAMPUS shall issue guidelines as are necessary to implement the provisions of this paragraph.
(19) Hospice care. Hospice care is a program which provides an integrated set of services and supplies designed to care for the terminally ill. This type of care emphasizes palliative care and supportive services, such as pain control and home care, rather than cure-oriented services provided in institutions that are otherwise the primary focus under CHAMPUS. The benefit provides coverage for a humane and sensible approach to care during the last days of life for some terminally ill patients.
(i) Benefit coverage. CHAMPUS beneficiaries who are terminally ill (that is, a life expectancy of six months or less if the disease runs its normal course) will be eligible for the following services and supplies in lieu of most other CHAMPUS benefits:
(A) Physician services.
(B) Nursing care provided by or under the supervision of a registered professional nurse.
(C) Medical social services provided by a social worker who has at least a bachelor’s degree from a school accredited or approved by the Council on Social Work Education, and who is working under the direction of a physician. Medical social services include, but are not limited to the following:
(1) Assessment of social and emotional factors related to the beneficiary’s illness, need for care, response to treatment, and adjustment to care.
(2) Assessment of the relationship of the beneficiary’s medical and nursing requirements to the individual’s home situation, financial resources, and availability of community resources.
(3) Appropriate action to obtain available community resources to assist in resolving the beneficiary’s problem.
(4) Counseling services that are required by the beneficiary.
(D) Counseling services provided to the terminally ill individual and the family member or other persons caring for the individual at home. Counseling, including dietary counseling, may be provided both for the purpose of training the individual’s family or other care-giver to provide care, and for the purpose of helping the individual and those caring for him or her to adjust to the individual’s approaching death. Bereavement counseling, which consists of counseling services provided to the individual’s family after the individual’s death, is a required hospice service but it is not reimbursable.
(E) Home health aide services furnished by qualified aides and homemaker services. Home health aides may provide personal care services. Aides also may perform household services to maintain a safe and sanitary environment in areas of the home used by the patient. Examples of such services are changing the bed or light cleaning and laundering essential to the comfort and cleanliness of the patient. Aide services must be provided under the general supervision of a registered nurse. Homemaker services may include assistance in personal care, maintenance of a safe and healthy environment, and services to enable the individual to carry out the plan of care. Qualifications for home health aides can be found in 42 CFR 484.36.
(F) Medical appliances and supplies, including drugs and biologicals. Only drugs that are used primarily for the relief of pain and symptom control related to the individual’s terminal illness are covered. Appliances may include covered durable medical equipment, as well as other self-help and personal comfort items related to the palliation or management of the patient’s condition while he or she is under hospice care. Equipment is provided by the hospice for use in the beneficiary’s home while he or she is under hospice care. Medical supplies include those that are part of the written plan of care. Medical appliances and supplies are included within the hospice all-inclusive rates.
(G) Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services provided for purposes of symptom control or to enable the individual to maintain activities of daily living and basic functional skills.
(H) Short-term inpatient care provided in a Medicare participating hospice inpatient unit, or a Medicare participating hospital, skilled nursing facility (SNF) or, in the case of respite care, a Medicaid-certified nursing facility that additionally meets the special hospice standards regarding staffing and patient areas. Services provided in an inpatient setting must conform to the written plan of care. Inpatient care may be required for procedures necessary for pain control or acute or chronic symptom management. Inpatient care may also be furnished to provide respite for the individual’s family or other persons caring for the individual at home. Respite care is the only type of inpatient care that may be provided in a Medicaid-certified nursing facility. The limitations on custodial care and personal comfort items applicable to other CHAMPUS services are not applicable to hospice care.
(ii) Core services. The hospice must ensure that substantially all core services are routinely provided directly by hospice employees; i.e., physician services, nursing care, medical social services, and counseling for individuals and care givers. Refer to paragraphs (e)(19)(i)(A), (e)(19)(i)(B), (e)(19)(i)(C), and (e)(19)(i)(D) of this section.
(iii) Non-core services. While non-core services (i.e., home health aide services, medical appliances and supplies, drugs and biologicals, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology and short-term inpatient care) may be provided under arrangements with other agencies or organizations, the hospice must maintain professional management of the patient at all times and in all settings. Refer to paragraphs (e)(19)(i)(E), (e)(19)(i)(F), (e)(19)(i)(G), and (e)(19)(i)(H) of this section.
(iv) Availability of services. The hospice must make nursing services, physician services, and drugs and biologicals routinely available on a 24-hour basis. All other covered services must be made available on a 24-hour basis to the extent necessary to meet the needs of individuals for care that is reasonable and necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness and related condition. These services must be provided in a manner consistent with accepted standards of practice.
(v) Periods of care. Hospice care is divided into distinct periods of care. The periods of care that may be elected by the terminally ill CHAMPUS beneficiary shall be as the Director, TRICARE determines to be appropriate, but shall not be less than those offered under Medicare’s Hospice Program.
(vi) Conditions for coverage. The CHAMPUS beneficiary must meet the following conditions/criteria in order to be eligible for the hospice benefits and services referenced in paragraph (e)(19)(i) of this section.
(A) There must be written certification in the medical record that the CHAMPUS beneficiary is terminally ill with a life expectancy of six months or less if the terminal illness runs its normal course.
(1) Timing of certification. The hospice must obtain written certification of terminal illness for each of the election periods described in paragraph (e)(19(vi)(B) of this section, even if a single election continues in effect for two, three or four periods.
(i) Basic requirement. Except as provided in paragraph (e)(19(vi)(A)(1)(ii) of this section the hospice must obtain the written certification no later than two calendar days after the period begins.
(ii) Exception. For the initial 90-day period, if the hospice cannot obtain the written certifications within two calendar days, it must obtain oral certifications within two calendar days, and written certifications no later than eight calendar days after the period begins.
(2) Sources of certification. Physician certification is required for both initial and subsequent election periods.
(i) For the initial 90-day period, the hospice must obtain written certification statements (and oral certification statements if required under paragraph (e)(19(vi)(A)(i)(ii) of this section) from:
(A) The individual’s attending physician if the individual has an attending physician; and
(B) The medical director of the hospice or the physician member of the hospice interdisciplinary group.
(ii) For subsequent periods, the only requirement is certification by one of the physicians listed in paragraph (e)(19)(vi)(A)(2)(i)(B) of this section.
(B) The terminally ill beneficiary must elect to receive hospice care for each specified period of time; i.e., the two 90-day periods, a subsequent 30-day period, and a final period of unlimited duration. If the individual is found to be mentally incompetent, his or her representative may file the election statement. Representative means an individual who has been authorized under State law to terminate medical care or to elect or revoke the election of hospice care on behalf of a terminally ill individual who is found to be mentally incompetent.
(1) The episodes of care must be used consecutively; i.e., the two 90-day periods first, then the 30-day period, followed by the final period. The periods of care may be elected separately at different times.
(2) The initial election will continue through subsequent election periods without a break in care as long as the individual remains in the care of the hospice and does not revoke the election.
(3) The effective date of the election may begin on the first day of hospice care or any subsequent day of care, but the effective date cannot be made prior to the date that the election was made.
(4) The beneficiary or representative may revoke a hospice election at any time, but in doing so, the remaining days of that particular election period are forfeited and standard CHAMPUS coverage resumes. To revoke the hospice benefit, the beneficiary or representative must file a signed statement of revocation with the hospice. The statement must provide the date that the revocation is to be effective. An individual or representative may not designate an effective date earlier than the date that the revocation is made.
(5) If an election of hospice benefits has been revoked, the individual, or his or her representative may at any time file a hospice election for any period of time still available to the individual, in accordance with § 199.4(e)(19)(vi)(B).
(6) A CHAMPUS beneficiary may change, once in each election period, the designation of the particular hospice from which he or she elects to receive hospice care. To change the designation of hospice programs the individual or representative must file, with the hospice from which care has been received and with the newly designated hospice, a statement that includes the following information:
(i) The name of the hospice from which the individual has received care and the name of the hospice from which he or she plans to receive care.
(ii) The date the change is to be effective.
(7) Each hospice will design and print its own election statement to include the following information:
(i) Identification of the particular hospice that will provide care to the individual.
(ii) The individual’s or representative’s acknowledgment that he or she has been given a full understanding of the palliative rather than curative nature of hospice care, as it relates to the individual’s terminal illness.
(iii) The individual’s or representative’s acknowledgment that he or she understands that certain other CHAMPUS services are waived by the election.
(iv) The effective date of the election.
(v) The signature of the individual or representative, and the date signed.
(8) The hospice must notify the CHAMPUS contractor of the initiation, change or revocation of any election.
(C) The beneficiary must waive all rights to other CHAMPUS payments for the duration of the election period for:
(1) Care provided by any hospice program other than the elected hospice unless provided under arrangements made by the elected hospice; and
(2) Other CHAMPUS basic program services/benefits related to the treatment of the terminal illness for which hospice care was elected, or to a related condition, or that are equivalent to hospice care, except for services provided by:
(i) The designated hospice;
(ii) Another hospice under arrangement made by the designated hospice; or
(iii) An attending physician who is not employed by or under contract with the hospice program.
(3) Basic CHAMPUS coverage will be reinstated upon revocation of the hospice election.
(D) A written plan of care must be established by a member of the basic interdisciplinary group assessing the patient’s needs. This group must have at least one physician, one registered professional nurse, one social worker, and one pastoral or other counselor.
(1) In establishing the initial plan of care the member of the basic interdisciplinary group who assesses the patient’s needs must meet or call at least one other group member before writing the initial plan of care.
(2) At least one of the persons involved in developing the initial plan must be a nurse or physician.
(3) The plan must be established on the same day as the assessment if the day of assessment is to be a covered day of hospice care.
(4) The other two members of the basic interdisciplinary group—the attending physician and the medical director or physician designee—must review the initial plan of care and provide their input to the process of establishing the plan of care within two calendar days following the day of assessment. A meeting of group members is not required within this 2-day period. Input may be provided by telephone.
(5) Hospice services must be consistent with the plan of care for coverage to be extended.
(6) The plan must be reviewed and updated, at intervals specified in the plan, by the attending physician, medical director or physician designee and interdisciplinary group. These reviews must be documented in the medical records.
(7) The hospice must designate a registered nurse to coordinate the implementation of the plan of care for each patient.
(8) The plan must include an assessment of the individual’s needs and identification of the services, including the management of discomfort and symptom relief. It must state in detail the scope and frequency of services needed to meet the patient’s and family’s needs.
(E) Complete medical records and all supporting documentation must be submitted to the CHAMPUS contractor within 30 days of the date of its request. If records are not received within the designated time frame, authorization of the hospice benefit will be denied and any prior payments made will be recouped. A denial issued for this reason is not an initial determination under § 199.10, and is not appealable.
(vii) Appeal rights under hospice benefit. A beneficiary or provider is entitled to appeal rights for cases involving a denial of benefits in accordance with the provisions of this part and § 199.10.
(20) [Reserved]
(21) Home health services. Home health services are covered when furnished by, or under arrangement with, a home health agency (HHA) that participates in the TRICARE program, and provides care on a visiting basis in the beneficiary’s home. Covered HHA services are the same as those provided under Medicare under section 1861(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(m)) and 42 CFR part 409, subpart E.
(i) Benefit coverage. Coverage will be extended for the following home health services subject to the conditions of coverage prescribed in paragraph (e)(21)(ii) of this section:
(A) Part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care furnished by a registered nurse or a licensed practical (vocational) nurse under the supervision of a registered nurse;
(B) Physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy;
(C) Medical social services under the direction of a physician;
(D) Part-time or intermittent services of a home health aide who has successfully completed a state-established or other training program that meets the requirements of 42 CFR Part 484;
(E) Medical supplies, a covered osteoporosis drug (as defined in the Social Security Act 1861(kk), but excluding other drugs and biologicals) and durable medical equipment;
(F) Medical services provided by an interim or resident-in-training of a hospital, under an approved teaching program of the hospital in the case of an HHA that is affiliated or under common control of a hospital; and
(G) Services at hospitals, SNFs or rehabilitation centers when they involve equipment too cumbersome to bring to the home but not including transportation of the individual in connection with any such item or service.
(ii) Conditions for Coverage. The following conditions/criteria must be met in order to be eligible for the HHA benefits and services referenced in paragraph (e)(21)(i) of this section:
(A) The person for whom the services are provided is an eligible TRICARE beneficiary.
(B) The HHA that is providing the services to the beneficiary has in effect a valid agreement to participate in the TRICARE program.
(C) Physician certifies the need for home health services because the beneficiary is homebound.
(D) The services are provided under a plan of care established and approved by a physician.
(1) The plan of care must contain all pertinent diagnoses, including the patient’s mental status, the types of services, supplies, and equipment required, the frequency of visits to be made, prognosis, rehabilitation potential, functional limitations, activities permitted, nutritional requirements, all medications and treatments, safety measures to protect against injury, instructions for timely discharge or referral, and any additional items the HHA or physician chooses to include.
(2) The orders on the plan of care must specify the type of services to be provided to the beneficiary, both with respect to the professional who will provide them and the nature of the individual services, as well as the frequency of the services.
(E) The beneficiary must need skilled nursing care on an intermittent basis or physical therapy or speech-language pathology services, or have continued need for occupational therapy after the need for skilled nursing care, physical therapy, or speech-language pathology services has ceased.
(F) The beneficiary must receive, and an HHA must provide, a patient-specific, comprehensive assessment that:
(1) Accurately reflects the patient’s current health status and includes information that may be used to demonstrate the patient’s progress toward achievement of desired outcomes;
(2) Identifies the beneficiary’s continuing need for home care and meets the beneficiary’s medical, nursing, rehabilitative, social, and discharge planning needs.
(3) Incorporates the use of the current version of the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) items, using the language and groupings of the OASIS items, as specified by the Director, TRICARE Management Activity.
(G) TRICARE is the appropriate payer.
(H) The services for which payment is claimed are not otherwise excluded from payment.
(I) Any other conditions of coverage/participation that may be required under Medicare’s HHA benefit; i.e., coverage guidelines as prescribed under Sections 1861(o) and 1891 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(o) and 1395bbb), 42 CFR Part 409, Subpart E and 42 CFR Part 484.
(22) Pulmonary rehabilitation. TRICARE benefits are payable for beneficiaries whose conditions are considered appropriate for pulmonary rehabilitation according to guidelines adopted by the Executive Director, TMA, or a designee.
(23) A speech generating device (SGD) as defined in § 199.2 of this part is covered as a voice prosthesis. The prosthesis provisions found in paragraph (d)(3)(vii) of this section apply.
(24) A hearing aid, but only for a dependent of a member of the uniformed services on active duty and only if the dependent has a profound hearing loss as defined in § 199.2 of this part. Medically necessary and appropriate services and supplies, including hearing examinations, required in connection with this hearing aid benefit are covered.
(25) Rehabilitation therapy as defined in § 199.2 of this part to improve, restore, or maintain function, or to minimize or prevent deterioration of function, of a patient when prescribed by a physician. The rehabilitation therapy must be medically necessary and appropriate medical care, rendered by an authorized provider, necessary to the establishment of a safe and effective maintenance program in connection with a specific medical condition, and must not be custodial care or otherwise excluded from coverage.
(26) National Institutes of Health clinical trials. By law, and pursuant to an agreement between the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services, the general prohibition against CHAMPUS cost-sharing of unproven drugs, devices, and medical treatments or procedures may be waived by the Secretary of Defense in connection with clinical trials sponsored or approved by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or an NIH Institute or Center if it is determined that such a waiver will promote access by covered beneficiaries to promising new treatments and contribute to the development of such treatments. A waiver shall only be exercised as authorized under this paragraph.
(i) Demonstration waiver. A waiver may be granted through a demonstration project established in accordance with Sec. 199.1(o) of this part.
(ii) Continuous waiver. (A) General. As a result of a demonstration project under which a waiver has been granted in connection with a National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute clinical trial, a determination may be made that it is in the best interest of the government and CHAMPUS beneficiaries to end the demonstration and continue to provide a waiver for CHAMPUS cost-sharing of the specific clinical trial. Only those specified clinical trials identified under paragraph (e)(26)(ii) of this section have been authorized a continuous waiver under CHAMPUS.
(B) National Cancer Institute (NCI) sponsored cancer prevention, screening, and early detection clinical trials. A continuous waiver under paragraph (e)(26) of this regulation has been granted for CHAMPUS cost-sharing for those CHAMPUS-eligible patients selected to participate in NCI sponsored Phase II and Phase III studies for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Additionally, Phase I studies may be approved on a case by case basis when the requirements below are met.
(1) TRICARE will cost-share all medical care and testing required to determine eligibility for an NCI-sponsored trial, including the evaluation for eligibility at the institution conducting the NCI-sponsored study. TRICARE will cost-share all medical care required as a result of participation in NCI-sponsored studies. This includes purchasing and administering all approved chemotherapy agents (except for NCI-funded investigational drugs), all inpatient and outpatient care, including diagnostic and laboratory services not otherwise reimbursed under an NCI grant program if the following conditions are met:
(i) The provider seeking treatment for a CHAMPUS-eligible patient in an NCI approved protocol has obtained pre-authorization for the proposed treatment before initial evaluation; and,
(ii) Such treatments are NCI sponsored Phase I, Phase II or Phase III protocols; and
(iii) The patient continues to meet entry criteria for said protocol; and,
(iv) The institutional and individual providers are CHAMPUS authorized providers; and,
(v) The requirements for Phase I protocols in paragraph (e)(26)(ii)(B)(2) of this section are met:
(2) Requirements for Phase I protocols are:
(i) Standard treatment has been or would be ineffective, does not exist, or there is no superior non-investigational treatment alternative; and,
(ii) The available clinical or preclinical data provide a reasonable expectation that the treatment will be at least as effective as the non-investigational alternative; and,
(iii) The facility and personnel providing the treatment are capable of doing so by virtue of their experience, training, and volume of patients treated to maintain expertise; and,
(iv) The referring physician has concluded that the enrollee’s participation in such a trial would be appropriate based upon the satisfaction of paragraphs (e)(26)(ii)(B)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section.
(3) TRICARE will not provide reimbursement for care rendered in the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center or costs associated with non-treatment research activities associated with the clinical trials.
(4) Cost-shares and deductibles applicable to CHAMPUS will also apply under the NCI-sponsored clinical trials.
(5) The Director, TRICARE (or designee), shall issue procedures and guidelines establishing NCI-sponsorship of clinical trials and the administrative process by which individual patients apply for and receive cost-sharing under NCI-sponsored cancer clinical trials.
(iii) Public Health Emergency Waiver.
(A) General. During public health emergencies (e.g., a national state of emergency declared by the President), TRICARE may cover cost-sharing for TRICARE-eligible patients who participate in Phase I, II, III, or IV trials that are sponsored by the NIH or an NIH Institute for the purposes of treatment or prevention of the pandemic or public health emergency.
(B) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)-sponsored clinical trials for COVID-19. For the duration of the President’s national emergency regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, TRICARE will cover cost-sharing for those TRICARE-eligible patients selected to participate in NIAID-sponsored Phase I, II, III, and IV studies examining the treatment or prevention of COVID-19 and its associated sequelae (e.g., cardiac and pulmonary issues). TRICARE will continue to cover cost-sharing for any eligible beneficiary enrolled in such a study until the conclusion of that study, even if the national emergency ends before the conclusion of the study.
(1) TRICARE will cost-share all medical care (including associated health complications) and testing required to determine eligibility for an NIAID-sponsored trial, including the evaluation for eligibility at the institution conducting the NIAID-sponsored study. TRICARE will cost-share all medical care required as a result of participation in NIAID-sponsored studies. This includes purchasing and administering all approved pharmaceutical agents (except for NIAID-funded investigational drugs), all inpatient and outpatient care, including diagnostic, laboratory, rehabilitation, and home health services not otherwise reimbursed under an NIAID grant program if the following conditions are met:
(i) Such treatments are NIAID-sponsored Phase I, Phase II, Phase III, or Phase IV protocols;
(ii) The patient continues to meet entry criteria for said protocol;
(iii) The institutional and individual providers are TRICARE-authorized providers; and
(iv) The requirements for Phase I protocols in paragraph (e)(26)(iii)(B)(2) of this section are met.
(2) Requirements for Phase I protocols are:
(i) Standard treatment has been or would be ineffective, does not exist, or there is no superior non-investigational treatment alternative;
(ii) The available clinical or preclinical data provide a reasonable expectation that the treatment will be at least as effective as the non-investigational alternative;
(iii) The facility and personnel providing the treatment are capable of doing so by virtue of their experience, training, and volume of patients treated to maintain expertise; and
(iv) The referring physician has concluded that the enrollee’s participation in such a trial would be appropriate based upon the satisfaction of paragraphs (e)(26)(iii)(B)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section.
(3) TRICARE will not provide reimbursement for care rendered in the NIH Clinical Center or costs associated with non-treatment research activities associated with the clinical trials.
(4) Cost-shares and deductibles applicable to TRICARE will also apply under the NIAID-sponsored clinical trials.
(5) The Director, Defense Health Agency (or designee), shall issue procedures and guidelines establishing NIAID-sponsorship of clinical trials and the administrative process by which individual patients apply for and receive cost-sharing under NIAID-sponsored COVID-19 clinical trials.
(27) TRICARE will cost share forensic examinations following a sexual assault or domestic violence. The forensic examination includes a history of the event and a complete physical and collection of forensic evidence, and medical and psychological follow-up care. The examination for sexual assault also includes, but is not limited to, a test kit to retrieve forensic evidence, testing for pregnancy, testing for sexually transmitted disease and HIV, and medical services and supplies for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, pregnancy, and counseling services.
(28) Preventive care. The following preventive services are covered:
(i) Cervical, breast, colon and prostate cancer screenings according to standards issued by the Director, TRICARE Management Activity, based on guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The standards may establish a specific schedule that includes frequency, age specifications, and gender of the beneficiary, as appropriate.
(ii) Immunizations as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
(iii) Well-child visits for children under 6 years of age as described in paragraph (c)(3)(xi) of this section.
(iv) Health promotion and disease prevention visits (which may include all of the services provided pursuant to § 199.17(f)(2)) for beneficiaries 6 years of age or older may be provided in connection with immunizations and cancer screening examinations authorized by paragraphs (e)(28)(i) and (ii) of this section).
(v) Breastfeeding support, supplies (including breast pumps and associated equipment), and counseling.
(29) Physical examinations. In addition to the health promotion and disease prevention visits authorized in paragraph (e)(28)(iv) of this section, the following physical examinations are specifically authorized:
(i) Physical examinations for dependents of Active Duty military personnel who are traveling outside the United States. The examination must be required because of an Active Duty member’s assignment and the travel is being performed under orders issued by a Uniformed Service. Any immunizations required for a dependent of an Active Duty member to travel outside of the United States is covered as a preventive service under paragraph (e)(28) of this section.
(ii) Physical examinations for beneficiaries ages 5-11 that are required for school enrollment and that are provided on or after October 30, 2000.
(iii) Other types of physical examinations not listed above are excluded including routine, annual, or employment-requested physical examinations and routine screening procedures that are not part of medically necessary care or treatment or otherwise specifically authorized by statute.
(30) Smoking cessation program. The TRICARE smoking cessation program is a behavioral modification program to assist eligible beneficiaries who desire to quit smoking. The program consists of a pharmaceutical benefit; smoking cessation counseling; access to a toll-free quit line for non-medical assistance; and, access to print and internet web-based tobacco cessation materials.
(i) Availability. The TRICARE smoking cessation program is available to all TRICARE beneficiaries who reside in one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia who are not eligible for Medicare benefits authorized under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. In addition, pursuant to § 199.17, if authorized by the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), the TRICARE smoking cessation program may be implemented in whole or in part in areas outside the 50 states and the District of Columbia for active duty members and their dependents who are enrolled in TRICARE Prime (overseas Prime beneficiaries). In such cases, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) may also authorize modifications to the TRICARE smoking cessation program rules and procedures as may be appropriate to the overseas area involved. Notice of the use of this authority, not otherwise mentioned in this paragraph (e)(30), shall be published in the
(ii) Benefits. There is no requirement for an eligible beneficiary to be diagnosed with a smoking related illness to access benefits under this program. The specific benefits available under the TRICARE smoking cessation program are:
(A) Pharmaceutical agents. Products available under this program are identified through the DoD Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, consistent with the DoD Uniform Formulary in § 199.21. Smoking cessation pharmaceutical agents, including FDA-approved over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical agents, are available through the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy (TMOP) or the MTF at no cost to the beneficiary. Smoking cessation pharmaceuticals through the TRICARE program will not be available at any retail pharmacies. A prescription from a TRICARE-authorized provider is required to obtain any pharmaceutical agent used for smoking cessation, including OTC agents. For overseas Prime beneficiaries, pharmaceutical agents may be provided either in the MTF or through the TMOP where such facility or service is available.
(B) Face-to-face smoking cessation counseling. Both individual and group smoking cessation counseling are covered. The number and mix of face-to-face counseling sessions covered under this program shall be determined by the Director, TMA; however, shall not exceed the limits established in paragraph (e)(30)(iii) of this section. A TRICARE-authorized provider listed in § 199.6 must render all counseling sessions.
(C) Toll-free quit line. Access to a non-medical toll-free quit line 7 days a week, 24 hours a day will be available. The quit line will be staffed with smoking cessation counselors trained to assess a beneficiary’s readiness to quit, identify barriers to quitting, and provide specific suggested actions and motivational counseling to enhance the chances of a successful quit attempt. When appropriate, quit line counselors will refer beneficiaries to a TRICARE-authorized provider for medical intervention. The quit line may, at the discretion of the Director, TMA, include the opportunity for the beneficiary to request individual follow-up contact initiated by quit line personnel; however, the beneficiary is not required to participate in the quit line initiated follow-up. Printed educational materials on the effects of tobacco use will be provided to the beneficiary upon request. This benefit may be made available to overseas Prime beneficiaries should the ASD(HA) exercise his authority to do so and provide appropriate notice in the
(D) Web-based resources. Downloadable educational materials on the effects of tobacco use will be available through the internet or other electronic media. This service may be made available to overseas Prime beneficiaries in all locations where web based resources are available. There shall be no requirement to create web based resources in any geographic area in order to make this service available.
(f) Beneficiary or sponsor liability—(1) General. As stated in the introductory paragraph to this section, the Basic Program is essentially a supplemental program to the Uniformed Services direct medical care system. To encourage use of the Uniformed Services direct medical care system wherever its facilities are available and appropriate, the Basic Program benefits are designed so that it is to the financial advantage of a CHAMPUS beneficiary or sponsor to use the direct medical care system. When medical care is received from civilian sources, a CHAMPUS beneficiary is responsible for payment of certain deductible and cost-sharing amounts in connection with otherwise covered services and supplies. By statute, this joint financial responsibility between the beneficiary or sponsor and CHAMPUS is more favorable for dependents of members than for other classes of beneficiaries.
(2) Dependents of members of the Uniformed Services. CHAMPUS beneficiary or sponsor liability set forth for dependents of members is as follows:
(i) Annual calendar year deductible for outpatient services and supplies.
(A) For care rendered all eligible beneficiaries prior to April 1, 1991, or when the active duty sponsor’s pay grade is E-4 or below, regardless of the date of care:
(1) Individual Deductible: Each beneficiary is liable for the first fifty dollars ($50.00) of the CHAMPUS-determined allowable amount on claims for care provided in the same calendar year.
(2) Family Deductible: The total deductible amount for all members of a family with the same sponsor during one calendar year shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00).
(B) For care rendered on or after April 1, 1991, for all CHAMPUS beneficiaries except dependents of active duty sponsors in pay grades E-4 or below.
(1) Individual Deductible: Each beneficiary is liable for the first one hundred and fifty dollars ($150.00) of the CHAMPUS-determined allowable amount on claims for care provided in the same calendar year.
(2) Family Deductible: The total deductible amount for all members of a family with the same sponsor during one calendar year shall not exceed three hundred dollars ($300.00).
(C) CHAMPUS-approved Ambulatory Surgical Centers or Birthing Centers. No deductible shall be applied to allowable amounts for services or items rendered to active duty for authorized NATO dependents.
(D) Allowable Amount does not exceed Deductible Amount. If calendar year allowable amounts for two or more beneficiary members of a family total less than $100.00 ($300.00 if paragraph (f) (2)(i)(B)(2) of this section applies), but more of the beneficiary members submit a claim for over $50.00 ($150.00 if paragraph (f)(2)(i)(B)(1) of this section applies), neither the family nor the individual deductible will have been met and no CHAMPUS benefits are payable.
(E) For any family the outpatient deductible amounts will be applied sequentially as the CHAMPUS claims are processed.
(F) If the calendar year outpatient deductible under either paragraphs (f)(2)(i)(A) or (f)(2)(i)(B) of this section has been met by a beneficiary or a family through the submission of a claim or claims to a CHAMPUS fiscal intermediary in another geographic location from the location where a current claim is being submitted, the beneficiary or sponsor must obtain a deductible certificate from the CHAMPUS fiscal intermediary where the applicable beneficiary or family calendar year deductible was met. Such deductible certificate must be attached to the current claim being submitted for benefits. Failure to obtain a deductible certificate under such circumstances will result in a second beneficiary or family calendar year deductible being applied. However, this second deductible may be reimbursed once appropriate documentation, as described in paragraph (f)(2)(i)(F) of this section, is supplied to the CHAMPUS fiscal intermediary applying the second deductible.
(G) Notwithstanding the dates specified in paragraphs (f)(2)(i)(A) and (f)(B)(2)(i) of this section in the case of dependents of active duty members of rank E-5 or above with Persian Gulf Conflict service, dependents of service members who were killed in the Gulf, or who died subsequent to Gulf service, and of members who retired prior to October 1, 1991, after having served in the Gulf War, the deductible shall be the amount specified in paragraph (f)(2)(i)(A) of this section for care rendered prior to October 1, 1991, and the amount specified in paragraph (f)(2)(i)(B) of this section for care rendered on or after October 1, 1991.
(H) The Director, TRICARE Management Activity, may waive the annual individual or family calendar year deductible for dependents of a Reserve Component member who is called or ordered to active duty for a period of more than 30 days or a National Guard member who is called or ordered to fulltime federal National Guard duty for a period of more than 30 days in support of a contingency operation (as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(a)(13)). For purposes of this paragraph, a dependent is a lawful husband or wife of the member and a child is defined in paragraphs (b)(2)(ii)(A) through (F) and (b)(2)(ii)(H)(1), (2), and (4) of § 199.3.
(ii) Inpatient cost-sharing. Dependents of members of the Uniformed Services are responsible for the payment of the first $25 of the allowable institutional costs incurred with each covered inpatient admission to a hospital or other authorized institutional provider (refer to § 199.6, including inpatient admission to a residential treatment center, substance use disorder rehabilitation facility residential treatment program, or skilled nursing facility), or the amount the beneficiary or sponsor would have been charged had the inpatient care been provided in a Uniformed Service hospital, whichever is greater.
Note: The Secretary of Defense (after consulting with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Transportation) prescribes the fair charges for inpatient hospital care provided through Uniformed Services medical facilities. This determination is made each calendar year.
(A) Inpatient cost-sharing payable with each separate inpatient admission. A separate cost-sharing amount (as described in paragraph (f)(2) of this section) is payable for each inpatient admission to a hospital or other authorized institution, regardless of the purpose of the admission (such as medical or surgical), regardless of the number of times the beneficiary is admitted, and regardless of whether or not the inpatient admissions are for the same or related conditions; except that successive inpatient admissions shall be deemed one inpatient confinement for the purpose of computing the inpatient cost-share payable, provided not more than 60 days have elapsed between the successive admissions. However, notwithstanding this provision, all admissions related to a single maternity episode shall be considered one confinement, regardless of the number of days between admissions (refer to paragraph (b) of this section).
(B) Multiple family inpatient admissions. A separate cost-sharing amount is payable for each inpatient admission, regardless of whether or not two or more beneficiary members of a family are admitted at the same time or from the same cause (such as an accident). A separate beneficiary inpatient cost-sharing amount must be applied for each separate admission on each beneficiary member of the family.
(C) Newborn patient in his or her own right. When a newborn infant remains as an inpatient in his or her own right (usually after the mother is discharged), the newborn child becomes the beneficiary and patient and the extended inpatient stay becomes a separate inpatient admission. In such a situation, a new, separate inpatient cost-sharing amount is applied. If a multiple birth is involved (such as twins or triplets) and two or more newborn infants become patients in their own right, a separate inpatient cost-sharing amount must be applied to the inpatient stay for each newborn child who has remained as an inpatient in his or her own right.
(iii) Outpatient cost-sharing. Dependents of members of the Uniformed Services are responsible for payment of 20 percent of the CHAMPUS-determined allowable cost or charge beyond the annual calendar year deductible amount (as described in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section) for otherwise covered services or supplies provided on an outpatient basis by authorized providers.
(iv) Ambulatory surgery. Notwithstanding the above provisions pertaining to outpatient cost-sharing, dependents of members of the Uniformed Services are responsible for payment of $25 for surgical care that is authorized and received while in an outpatient status and that has been designated in guidelines issued by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee.
(v) [Reserved]
(vi) Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP). Members of the Armed Forces (and their family members) who are eligible for TAMP under paragraph 199.3(e) of this Part are subject to the same beneficiary or sponsor liability as family members of members of the uniformed services described in this paragraph (f)(2).
(3) Former members and dependents of former members. CHAMPUS beneficiary liability set forth for former members and dependents of former members is as follows:
(i) Annual calendar year deductible for outpatient services or supplies. The annual calendar year deductible for otherwise covered outpatient services or supplies provided former members and dependents of former members is the same as the annual calendar year outpatient deductible applicable to dependents of active duty members of rank E-5 or above (refer to paragraph (f)(2)(i)(A) or (B) of this section).
(ii) Inpatient cost-sharing. Inpatient admissions to a hospital or other authorized institutional provider (refer to § 199.6, including inpatient admission to a residential treatment center, substance use disorder rehabilitation facility residential treatment program, or skilled nursing facility) shall be cost-shared on an inpatient basis. The cost-sharing for inpatient services subject to the TRICARE DRG-based payment system and the TRICARE per diem system shall be the lesser of the respective per diem copayment amount multiplied by the total number of days in the hospital (except for the day of discharge under the DRG payment system), or 25 percent of the hospital’s billed charges. For other inpatient services, the cost-share shall be 25% of the CHAMPUS-determined allowable charges.
(iii) Outpatient cost-sharing. Former members and dependents of former members are responsible for payment of 25 percent of the CHAMPUS-determined allowable costs or charges beyond the annual calendar year deductible amount (as described in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section) for otherwise covered services or supplies provided on an outpatient basis by authorized providers.
(4) Former spouses. CHAMPUS beneficiary liability for former spouses eligible under the provisions set forth in § 199.3 of this part is as follows:
(i) Annual calendar year deductible for outpatient services or supplies. An eligible former spouse is responsible for the payment of the first $150.00 of the CHAMPUS-determined reasonable costs or charges for otherwise covered outpatient services or supplies provided in any one calendar year. (Except for services received prior to April 1, 1991, the deductible amount is $50.00). The former spouse cannot contribute to, nor benefit from, any family deductible of the member or former member to whom the former spouse was married or of any CHAMPUS-eligible children.
(ii) Inpatient cost-sharing. Eligible former spouses are responsible for payment of cost-sharing amounts the same as those required for former members and dependents of former members.
(iii) Outpatient cost-sharing. Eligible former spouses are responsible for payment of 25 percent of the CHAMPUS-determined reasonable costs or charges beyond the annual calendar year deductible amount for otherwise covered services or supplies provided on an outpatient basis by authorized providers.
(5) Cost-Sharing under the Military-Civilian Health Services Partnership Program. Cost-sharing is dependent upon the type of partnership program entered into, whether external or internal. (See paragraph (p) of § 199.1, for general requirements of the Military-Civilian Health Services Partnership Program.)
(i) External Partnership Agreement. Authorized costs associated with the use of the civilian facility will be financed through CHAMPUS under the normal cost-sharing and reimbursement procedures applicable under CHAMPUS.
(ii) Internal Partnership Agreement. Beneficiary cost-sharing under internal agreements will be the same as charges prescribed for care in military treatment facilities.
(6)-(7) [Reserved]
(8) Cost-sharing for services provided under special discount arrangements—(i) General rule. With respect to services determined by the Director, OCHAMPUS (or designee) to be covered by § 199.14(e), the Director, OCHAMPUS (or designee) has authority to establish, as an exception to the cost-sharing amount normally required pursuant to this section, a different cost-share amount that appropriately reflects the application of the statutory cost-share to the discount arrangement.
(ii) Specific applications. The following are examples of applications of the general rule; they are not all inclusive.
(A) In the case of services provided by individual health care professionals and other noninstitutional providers, the cost-share shall be the usual percentage of the CHAMPUS allowable charge determined under § 199.14(e).
(B) In the case of services provided by institutional providers normally paid on the basis of a pre-set amount (such as DRG-based amount under § 199.14(a)(1) or per-diem amount under § 199.14(a)(2)), if the discount rate is lower than the pre-set rate, the cost-share amount that would apply for a beneficiary other than an active duty dependent pursuant to the normal pre-set rate would be reduced by the same percentage by which the pre-set rate was reduced in setting the discount rate.
(9) Waiver of deductible amounts or cost-sharing not allowed—(i) General rule. Because deductible amounts and cost sharing are statutorily mandated, except when specifically authorized by law (as determined by the Director, OCHAMPUS), a provider may not waive or forgive beneficiary liability for annual deductible amounts or inpatient or outpatient cost sharing, as set forth in this section.
(ii) Exception for bad debts. This general rule is not violated in cases in which a provider has made all reasonable attempts to effect collection, without success, and determines in accordance with generally accepted fiscal management standards that the beneficiary liability in a particular case is an uncollectible bad debt.
(iii) Remedies for noncompliance. Potential remedies for noncompliance with this requirement include:
(A) A claim for services regarding which the provider has waived the beneficiary’s liability may be disallowed in full, or, alternatively, the amount payable for such a claim may be reduced by the amount of the beneficiary liability waived.
(B) Repeated noncompliance with this requirement is a basis for exclusion of a provider.
(10) Catastrophic loss protection for basic program benefits. Calendar year limits, or catastrophic caps, on the amounts beneficiaries are required to pay are established as follows:
(i) Dependents of active duty members. The maximum family liability is $1,000 for deductibles and cost-shares based on allowable charges for Basic Program services and supplies received in a calendar year.
(ii) All other beneficiaries. For all other categories of beneficiary families (including those eligible under CHAMPVA) the calendar year cap is $3,000.
(iii) Payment after cap is met. After a family has paid the maximum cost-share and deductible amounts (dependents of active duty members $1,000 and all others $3,000), for a calendar year, CHAMPUS will pay allowable amounts for remaining covered services through the end of that calendar year.
Under the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001, the cap for beneficiaries other than dependents of active duty members was reduced from $7,500 to $3,000 effective October 30, 2000. Prior to this, the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 reduced this cap from $10,000 to $7,500 on October 1, 1992. The cap remains at $1,000 for dependents of active duty members.
(11) Beneficiary or sponsor liability under the Pharmacy Benefits Program. Beneficiary or sponsor liability under the Pharmacy Benefits Program is addressed in § 199.21.
(12) Elimination of cost-sharing for certain preventive services.
(i) Effective for dates of service on or after October 14, 2008, beneficiaries, subject to the limitation in paragraph (f)(12)(iii) of this section, shall not pay any cost-share for preventive services listed in paragraph (e)(28)(i) through (iv) of this section. The beneficiary shall not be required to pay any portion of the cost of these preventive services even if the beneficiary has not satisfied the deductible for that year.
(ii) Beneficiaries who paid a cost-share for preventive services listed in paragraph (e)(28)(i) through (iv) of this section on or after October 14, 2008, may request reimbursement until January 28, 2013 according to procedures established by the Director, TRICARE Management Activity.
(iii) This elimination of cost-sharing for preventive services does not apply to any beneficiary who is a Medicare-eligible beneficiary. For purposes of this section, the term “Medicare-eligible” beneficiary is defined in 10 U.S.C. 1111(b) and refers to a person eligible for Medicare Part A.
(iv) Appropriate copayments and deductibles will apply for all services not listed in paragraph (e)(28) of this section, whether considered preventive in nature or not.
(13) Special transition rule for the last quarter of calendar year 2017. In order to transition deductibles and catastrophic caps from a fiscal year basis to a calendar year basis, the deductible amount and the catastrophic cap amount specified in paragraph (f) of this section will be applicable to the 15-month period of October 1, 2016 through December 31, 2017.
(g) Exclusions and limitations. In addition to any definitions, requirements, conditions, or limitations enumerated and described in other sections of this part, the following specifically are excluded from the Basic Program:
(1) Not medically or psychologically necessary. Services and supplies that are not medically or psychologically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of a covered illness (including mental disorder, to include substance use disorder) or injury, for the diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy or well-baby care except as provided in the following paragraph.
(2) Unnecessary diagnostic tests. X-ray, laboratory, and pathological services and machine diagnostic tests not related to a specific illness or injury or a definitive set of symptoms except for cancer screening mammography and cancer screening papanicolaou (PAP) tests provided under the terms and conditions contained in the guidelines adopted by the Director, OCHAMPUS.
(3) Institutional level of care. Services and supplies related to inpatient stays in hospitals or other authorized institutions above the appropriate level required to provide necessary medical care.
(4) Diagnostic admission. Services and supplies related to an inpatient admission primarily to perform diagnostic tests, examinations, and procedures that could have been and are performed routinely on an outpatient basis.
If it is determined that the diagnostic x-ray, laboratory, and pathological services and machine tests performed during such admission were medically necessary and would have been covered if performed on an outpatient basis, CHAMPUS benefits may be extended for such diagnostic procedures only, but cost-sharing will be computed as if performed on an outpatient basis.
(5) Unnecessary postpartum inpatient stay, mother or newborn. Postpartum inpatient stay of a mother for purposes of staying with the newborn infant (usually primarily for the purpose of breast feeding the infant) when the infant (but not the mother) requires the extended stay; or continued inpatient stay of a newborn infant primarily for purposes of remaining with the mother when the mother (but not the newborn infant) requires extended postpartum inpatient stay.
(6) Therapeutic absences. Therapeutic absences from an inpatient facility, except when such absences are specifically included in a treatment plan approved by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee. For cost-sharing provisions refer to § 199.14, paragraph (f)(3).
(7) Custodial care. Custodial care as defined in § 199.2.
(8) Domiciliary care. Domiciliary care as defined in § 199.2.
(9) Rest or rest cures. Inpatient stays primarily for rest or rest cures.
(10) Amounts above allowable costs or charges. Costs of services and supplies to the extent amounts billed are over the CHAMPUS determined allowable cost or charge, as provided for in § 199.14.
(11) No legal obligation to pay, no charge would be made. Services or supplies for which the beneficiary or sponsor has no legal obligation to pay; or for which no charge would be made if the beneficiary or sponsor was not eligible under CHAMPUS; or whenever CHAMPUS is a secondary payer for claims subject to the CHAMPUS DRG-based payment system, amounts, when combined with the primary payment, which would be in excess of charges (or the amount the provider is obligated to accept as payment in full, if it is less than the charges).
(12) Furnished without charge. Services or supplies furnished without charge.
(13) Furnished by local, state, or Federal Government. Services and supplies paid for, or eligible for payment, directly or indirectly by a local, state, or Federal Government, except as provided under CHAMPUS, or by government hospitals serving the general public, or medical care provided by a Uniformed Service medical care facility, or benefits provided under title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid) (refer to § 199.8 of this part).
(14) Study, grant, or research programs. Services and supplies provided as a part of or under a scientific or medical study, grant, or research program.
(15) Unproven drugs, devices, and medical treatments or procedures. By law, CHAMPUS can only cost-share medically necessary supplies and services. Any drug, device, or medical treatment or procedure, the safety and efficacy of which have not been established, as described in this paragraph (g)(15), is unproved and cannot be cost-shared by CHAMPUS except as authorized under paragraph 199.4(e)(26) of this part.
(i) A drug, device, or medical treatment or procedure is unproven:
(A) If the drug or device cannot be lawfully marketed without the approval or clearance of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and approval or clearance for marketing has not been given at the time the drug or device is furnished to the patient.
Although the use of drugs and medicines not approved by the FDA for commercial marketing, that is for use by humans, (even though permitted for testing on humans) is excluded from coverage as unproven, drugs grandfathered by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938 may be covered by CHAMPUS as if FDA approved.
Certain cancer drugs, designated as Group C drugs (approved and distributed by the National Cancer Institute) and Treatment Investigational New Drugs (INDs), are not covered under CHAMPUS because they are not approved for commercial marketing by the FDA. However, medical care related to the use of Group C drugs and Treatment INDs can be cost-shared under CHAMPUS when the patient’s medical condition warrants their administration and the care is provided in accordance with generally accepted standards of medical practice. For the duration of the President’s national emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, TRICARE will cost-share investigational drugs provided for the treatment of COVID-19 under expanded access.
CHAMPUS will consider coverage of off-label uses of drugs and devices that meet the definition of Off-Label Use of a Drug or Device in § 199.2(b). Approval for reimbursement of off-label uses requires review for medical necessity and also requires demonstrations from medical literature, national organizations, or technology assessment bodies that the off-label use of the drug or device is safe, effective, and in accordance with nationally accepted standards of practice in the medical community.
(B) If a medical device (as defined by 21 U.S.C. 321(h)) with an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approved by the Food and Drug Administration is categorized by the FDA as experimental/investigational (FDA Category A).
CHAMPUS will consider for coverage a device with an FDA-approved IDE categorized by the FDA as non-experimental/investigational (FDA Category B) for CHAMPUS beneficiaries participating in FDA approved clinical trials. Coverage of any such Category B device is dependent on its meeting all other requirements of the laws and rules governing CHAMPUS and upon the beneficiary involved meeting the FDA-approved IDE study protocols.
(C) Unless reliable evidence shows that any medical treatment or procedure has been the subject of well-controlled studies of clinically meaningful endpoints, which have determined its maximum tolerated dose, its toxicity, its safety, and its efficacy as compared with standard means of treatment or diagnosis. (See the definition of reliable evidence in § 199.2 of this part for the procedures used in determining if a medical treatment or procedure is unproven.)
(D) If reliable evidence shows that the consensus among experts regarding the medical treatment or procedure is that further studies or clinical trials are necessary to determine its maximum tolerated doses, its toxicity, its safety, or its effectiveness as compared with the standard means of treatment or diagnosis (see the definition of reliable evidence in § 199.2 for the procedures used in determining if a medical treatment or procedure is unproven).
(ii) CHAMPUS benefits for rare diseases are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Director, Office of CHAMPUS, or a designee. In reviewing the case, the Director, or a designee, may consult with any or all of the following sources to determine if the proposed therapy is considered safe and effective:
(A) Trials published in refereed medical literature.
(B) Formal technology assessments.
(C) National medical policy organization positions.
(D) National professional associations.
(E) National expert opinion organizations.
(iii) Care excluded. This exclusion from benefits includes all services directly related to the unproven drug, device, or medical treatment or procedure. However, CHAMPUS may cover services or supplies when there is no logical or causal relationship between the unproven drug, device or medical treatment or procedure and the treatment at issue or where such a logical or causal relationship cannot be established with a sufficient degree of certainty. This CHAMPUS coverage is authorized in the following circumstances:
(A) Treatment that is not related to the unproven drug, device or medical treatment or procedure; e.g., medically necessary in the absence of the unproven treatment.
(B) Treatment which is necessary follow-up to the unproven drug, device or medical treatment or procedure but which might have been necessary in the absence of the unproven treatment.
(16) Immediate family, household. Services or supplies provided or prescribed by a member of the beneficiary’s immediate family, or a person living in the beneficiary’s or sponsor’s household.
(17) Double coverage. Services and supplies that are (or are eligible to be) payable under another medical insurance or program, either private or governmental, such as coverage through employment or Medicare (refer to § 199.8 of this part).
(18) Nonavailability Statement required. Services and supplies provided under circumstances or in geographic locations requiring a Nonavailability Statement (DD Form 1251), when such a statement was not obtained.
(19) Preauthorization required. Services or supplies which require preauthorization if preauthorization was not obtained. Services and supplies which were not provided according to the terms of the preauthorization. The Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, may grant an exception to the requirement for preauthorization if the services otherwise would be payable except for the failure to obtain preauthorization.
(20) Psychoanalysis or psychotherapy, part of education. Psychoanalysis or psychotherapy provided to a beneficiary or any member of the immediate family that is credited towards earning a degree or furtherance of the education or training of a beneficiary or sponsor, regardless of diagnosis or symptoms that may be present.
(21) Runaways. Inpatient stays primarily to control or detain a runaway child, whether or not admission is to an authorized institution.
(22) Services or supplies ordered by a court or other government agency. Services or supplies, including inpatient stays, directed or agreed to by a court or other governmental agency. However, those services and supplies (including inpatient stays) that otherwise are medically or psychologically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of a covered condition and that otherwise meet all CHAMPUS requirements for coverage are not excluded.
(23) Work-related (occupational) disease or injury. Services and supplies required as a result of occupational disease or injury for which any benefits are payable under a worker’s compensation or similar law, whether or not such benefits have been applied for or paid; except if benefits provided under such laws are exhausted.
(24) Cosmetic, reconstructive, or plastic surgery. Services and supplies in connection with cosmetic, reconstructive, or plastic surgery except as specifically provided in paragraph (e)(8) of this section.
(25) Surgery, psychological reasons. Surgery performed primarily for psychological reasons (such as psychogenic).
(26) Electrolysis.
(27) Dental care. Dental care or oral surgery, except as specifically provided in paragraph (e)(10) of this section.
(28) Obesity, weight reduction. Service and supplies related “solely” to obesity or weight reduction or weight control whether surgical or nonsurgical; wiring of the jaw or any procedure of similar purpose, regardless of the circumstances under which performed (except as provided in paragraph (e)(15) of this section).
(29) Sex gender changes. Services and supplies related to sex gender change, also referred to as sex reassignment surgery, as prohibited by section 1079 of title 10, United States Code. This exclusion does not apply to surgery and related medically necessary services performed to correct sex gender confusion/intersex conditions (that is, ambiguous genitalia) which has been documented to be present at birth.
(30) Therapy or counseling for sexual dysfunctions or sexual inadequacies. Sex therapy, sexual advice, sexual counseling, sex behavior modification, psychotherapy for mental disorders involving sexual deviations (i.e., transvestic fetishm), or other similar services, and any supplies provided in connection with therapy for sexual dysfunctions or inadequacies.
(31) Corns, calluses, and toenails. Removal of corns or calluses or trimming of toenails and other routine podiatry services, except those required as a result of a diagnosed systemic medical disease affecting the lower limbs, such as severe diabetes.
(32) Dyslexia.
(33) Surgical sterilization, reversal. Surgery to reverse surgical sterilization procedures.
(34) Noncoital reproductive procedures including artifical insemination, in-vitro fertilization, gamete intrafallopian transfer and all other such reproductive technologies. Services and supplies related to artificial insemination (including semen donors and semen banks), in-vitro fertilization, gamete intrafallopian transfer and all other noncoital reproductive technologies.
(35) Nonprescription contraceptives.
(36) Tests to determine paternity or sex of a child. Diagnostic tests to establish paternity of a child; or tests to determine sex of an unborn child.
(37) Preventive care. Except as stated in paragraph (e)(28) of this section, preventive care, such as routine, annual, or employment-requested physical examinations and routine screening procedures.
(38) Chiropractors and naturopaths. Services of chiropractors and naturopaths whether or not such services would be eligible for benefits if rendered by an authorized provider.
(39) Counseling. Educational, vocational, non-medical nutritional counseling, counseling for socioeconomic purposes, stress management, and/or lifestyle modification purposes, except the following are not excluded:
(i) Services provided by a certified marriage and family therapist, pastoral or mental health counselor in the treatment of a mental disorder as specifically provided in paragraph (c)(3)(ix) of this section and in § 199.6.
(ii) Diabetes self-management training (DSMT) as specifically provided in paragraph (d)(3)(ix) of this section.
(iii) Smoking cessation counseling and education as specifically provided in paragraph (e)(30) of this section.
(iv) Services provided by alcoholism rehabilitation counselors only when rendered in a CHAMPUS-authorized treatment setting and only when the cost of those services is included in the facility’s CHAMPUS-determined allowable cost rate.
(v) Medical nutritional therapy (also referred to as medical nutritional counseling) required in the administration of the medically necessary foods, services and supplies authorized in paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(B) of this section, medically necessary vitamins authorized in paragraph (d)(3)(vi)(D) of this section, or when medically necessary for other authorized covered services.
(40) Acupuncture. Acupuncture, whether used as a therapeutic agent or as an anesthetic.
(41) Hair transplants, wigs/hair pieces/cranial prosthesis.
In accordance with section 744 of the DoD Appropriation Act for 1981 (Pub. L. 96-527), CHAMPUS coverage for wigs or hairpieces is permitted effective December 15, 1980, under the conditions listed below. Continued availability of benefits will depend on the language of the annual DoD Appropriation Acts.
(i) Benefits provided. Benefits may be extended, in accordance with the CHAMPUS-determined allowable charge, for one wig or hairpiece per beneficiary (lifetime maximum) when the attending physician certifies that alopecia has resulted from treatment of a malignant disease and the beneficiary certifies that a wig or hairpiece has not been obtained previously through the U.S. Government (including the Veterans Administration).
(ii) Exclusions. The wig or hairpiece benefit does not include coverage for the following:
(A) Alopecia resulting from conditions other than treatment of malignant disease.
(B) Maintenance, wig or hairpiece supplies, or replacement of the wig or hairpiece.
(C) Hair transplants or any other surgical procedure involving the attachment of hair or a wig or hairpiece to the scalp.
(D) Any diagnostic or therapeutic method or supply intended to encourage hair regrowth.
(42) Education or training. Self-help, academic education or vocational training services and supplies, unless the provisions of § 199.4, paragraph (b)(1)(v) relating to general or special education, apply.
(43) Exercise/relaxation/comfort/sporting items or sporting devices. Exercise equipment, to include items primarily and customarily designed for use in sports or recreational activities, spas, whirlpools, hot tubs, swimming pools health club memberships or other such charges or items.
(44) Exercise. General exercise programs, even if recommended by a physician and regardless of whether or not rendered by an authorized provider. In addition, passive exercises and range of motion exercises also are excluded, except when prescribed by a physician and rendered by a physical therapist concurrent to, and as an integral part of, a comprehensive program of physical therapy.
(45) [Reserved]
(46) Vision care. Eye exercises or visual training (orthoptics).
(47) Eye and hearing examinations. Eye and hearing examinations except as specifically provided in paragraphs (c)(2)(xvi), (c)(3)(xi), and (e)(24) of this section, or except when rendered in connection with medical or surgical treatment of a covered illness or injury.
(48) Prosthetic devices. Prostheses other than those determined by the Director, OCHAMPUS to be necessary because of significant conditions resulting from trauma, congenital anomalies, or disease. All dental prostheses are excluded, except for those specifically required in connection with otherwise covered orthodontia directly related to the surgical correction of a cleft palate anomaly.
(49) Orthopedic shoes. Orthopedic shoes, arch supports, shoe inserts, and other supportive devices for the feet, including special-ordered, custom-made built-up shoes, or regular shoes later built up.
(50) Eyeglasses. Eyeglasses, spectacles, contact lenses, or other optical devices, except as specifically provided under paragraph (e)(6) of this section.
(51) Hearing aids. Hearing aids or other auditory sensory enhancing devices, except those allowed in paragraph (e)(24) of this section.
(52) Telephone services. Services or advice rendered by telephone are excluded. Exceptions:
(i) Medically necessary and appropriate Telephonic office visits are covered as authorized in paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of this section.
(ii) A diagnostic or monitoring procedure which incorporates electronic transmission of data or remote detection and measurement of a condition, activity, or function (biotelemetry) is not excluded when:
(A) The procedure without electronic transmission of data or biotelemetry is otherwise an explicit or derived benefit of this section;
(B) The addition of electronic transmission of data or biotelemetry to the procedure is found by the Director, CHAMPUS, or designee, to be medically necessary and appropriate medical care which usually improves the efficiency of the management of a clinical condition in defined circumstances; and
(C) The each data transmission or biotelemetry devices incorporated into a procedure that is otherwise an explicit or derived benefit of this section, has been classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, either separately or as a part of a system, for consistent use with the defined circumstances in paragraph (g)(52)(ii) of this section.
(53) Air conditioners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and purifiers.
(54) Elevators or chair lifts.
(55) Alterations. Alterations to living spaces or permanent features attached thereto, even when necessary to accommodate installation of covered durable medical equipment or to facilitate entrance or exit.
(56) Clothing. Items of clothing or shoes, even if required by virtue of an allergy (such as cotton fabric as against synthetic fabric and vegetable-dyed shoes).
(57) Food, food substitutes. Food, food substitutes, vitamins, or other nutritional supplements, including those related to prenatal care, except as authorized in paragraphs (d)(3)(iii)(B) and (d)(3)(vi)(D) of this section.
(58) Enuretic. Enuretic conditioning programs, but enuretic alarms may be cost-shared when determined to be medically necessary in the treatment of enuresis.
(59) Duplicate equipment. As defined in § 199.2, duplicate equipment is excluded.
(60) Autopsy and postmortem.
(61) Camping. All camping even though organized for a specific therapeutic purpose (such as diabetic camp or a camp for emotionally disturbed children), and even though offered as a part of an otherwise covered treatment plan or offered through a CHAMPUS-approved facility.
(62) Housekeeper, companion. Housekeeping, homemaker, or attendant services; sitter or companion.
(63) Non-covered condition/treatment, unauthorized provider. All services and supplies (including inpatient institutional costs) related to a non-covered condition or treatment, including any necessary follow-on care or the treatment of complications, are excluded from coverage except as provided under paragraph (e)(9) of this section. In addition, all services and supplies provided by an unauthorized provider are excluded.
(64) Comfort or convenience. Personal, comfort, or convenience items such as beauty and barber services, radio, television, and telephone.
(65) [Reserved]
(66) Megavitamin psychiatric therapy, orthomolecular psychiatric therapy.
(67) Transportation. All transportation except by ambulance, as specifically provided under paragraph (d), and except as authorized in paragraph (e)(5) of this section.
(68) Travel. All travel even though prescribed by a physician and even if its purpose is to obtain medical care, except as specified in paragraph (a)(6) of this section in connection with a CHAMPUS-required physical examination and as specified in § 199.17(n)(2)(vi).
(69) Institutions. Services and supplies provided by other than a hospital, unless the institution has been approved specifically by OCHAMPUS. Nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, halfway houses, homes for the aged, or institutions of similar purpose are excluded from consideration as approved facilities under the Basic Program.
In order to be approved under CHAMPUS, an institution must, in addition to meeting CHAMPUS standards, provide a level of care for which CHAMPUS benefits are payable.
(70)-(71) [Reserved]
(72) [Reserved]
(73) Economic interest in connection with mental health admissions. Inpatient mental health services (including both acute care and RTC services) are excluded for care received when a patient is referred to a provider of such services by a physician (or other health care professional with authority to admit) who has an economic interest in the facility to which the patient is referred, unless a waiver is granted. Requests for waiver shall be considered under the same procedure and based on the same criteria as used for obtaining preadmission authorization (or continued stay authorization for emergency admissions), with the only additional requirement being that the economic interest be disclosed as part of the request. This exclusion does not apply to services under the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) in § 199.5 or provided as partial hospital care. If a situation arises where a decision is made to exclude CHAMPUS payment solely on the basis of the provider’s economic interest, the normal CHAMPUS appeals process will be available.
(74) Not specifically listed. Services and supplies not specifically listed as a benefit in this part. This exclusion is not intended to preclude extending benefits for those services or supplies specifically determined to be covered within the intent of this part by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, even though not otherwise listed.
The fact that a physician may prescribe, order, recommend, or approve a service or supply does not, of itself, make it medically necessary or make the charge an allowable expense, even though it is not listed specifically as an exclusion.
(h) Payment and liability for certain potentially excludable services under the Peer Review Organization program—(1) Applicability. This subsection provides special rules that apply only to services retrospectively determined under the Peer Review organization (PRO) program (operated pursuant to § 199.15) to be potentially excludable (in whole or in part) from the basic program under paragraph (g) of this section. Services may be excluded by reason of being not medically necessary (paragraph (g)(1) of this section), at an inappropriate level (paragraph (g)(3) of this section), custodial care (paragraph (g)(7) of this section) or other reason relative to reasonableness, necessity or appropriateness (which services shall throughout the remainder of this subsection, be referred to as “not medically necessary”). (Also throughout the remainder of the subsection, “services” includes items and “provider” includes supplier). This paragraph does not apply to coverage determinations made by OCHAMPUS or the fiscal intermediaries which are not based on medical necessity determinations made under the PRO program.
(2) Payment for certain potentially excludable expenses. Services determined under the PRO program to be potentially excludable by reason of the exclusions in paragraph (g) of this section for not medically necessary services will not be determined to be excludable if neither the beneficiary to whom the services were provided nor the provider (institutional or individual) who furnished the services knew, or could reasonably have been expected to know, that the services were subject to those exclusions. Payment may be made for such services as if the exclusions did not apply.
(3) Liability for certain excludable services. In any case in which items or services are determined excludable by the PRO program by reason of being not medically necessary and payment may not be made under paragraph (h)(2) of this section because the requirements of paragraph (h)(2) of this section are not met, the beneficiary may not be held liable (and shall be entitled to a full refund from the provider of the amount excluded and any cost share amount already paid) if:
(i) The beneficiary did not know and could not reasonably have been expected to know that the services were excludable by reason of being not medically necessary; and
(ii) The provider knew or could reasonably have been expected to know that the items or services were excludable by reason of being not medically necessary.
(4) Criteria for determining that beneficiary knew or could reasonably have been expected to have known that services were excludable. A beneficiary who receives services excludable by reason of being not medically necessary will be found to have known that the services were excludable if the beneficiary has been given written notice that the services were excludable or that similar or comparable services provided on a previous occasion were excludable and that notice was given by the OCHAMPUS, CHAMPUS PRO or fiscal intermediary, a group or committee responsible for utilization review for the provider, or the provider who provided the services.
(5) Criteria for determining that provider knew or could reasonably have been expected to have known that services were excludable. An institutional or individual provider will be found to have known or been reasonably expected to have known that services were excludable under this subsection under any one of the following circumstances:
(i) The PRO or fiscal intermediary had informed the provider that the services provided were excludable or that similar or reasonably comparable services were excludable.
(ii) The utilization review group or committee for an institutional provider or the beneficiary’s attending physician had informed the provider that the services provided were excludable.
(iii) The provider had informed the beneficiary that the services were excludable.
(iv) The provider had received written materials, including notices, manual issuances, bulletins, guides, directives or other materials, providing notification of PRO screening criteria specific to the condition of the beneficiary. Attending physicians who are members of the medical staff of an institutional provider will be found to have also received written materials provided to the institutional provider.
(v) The services that are at issue are the subject of what are generally considered acceptable standards of practice by the local medical community.
(vi) Preadmission authorization was available but not requested, or concurrent review requirements were not followed.
§ 199.5 TRICARE Extended Care Health Option (ECHO).
(a) General. (1) The TRICARE ECHO is essentially a supplemental program to the TRICARE Basic Program. It does not provide acute care nor benefits available through the TRICARE Basic Program.
(2) The purpose of the ECHO is to provide an additional financial resource for an integrated set of services and supplies designed to assist in the reduction of the disabling effects of the ECHO-eligible dependent’s qualifying condition. Services include those necessary to maintain, minimize or prevent deterioration of function of an ECHO-eligible dependent.
(3) The Government’s cost-share for ECHO or ECHO home health benefits during any program year is limited as stated in this section. In order to transition the program year from a fiscal year to a calendar year basis, the Government’s annual cost-share limitation specified in paragraph (f) of this section shall be prorated for the last quarter of calendar year 2018 as authorized by 10 U.S.C. 1079(f)(2)(A).
(b) Eligibility. (1) The following categories of TRICARE/CHAMPUS beneficiaries with a qualifying condition are ECHO-eligible dependents:
(i) A spouse, child, or unmarried person (as described in § 199.3(b)(2)(i), (b)(2)(ii), or (b)(2)(iv)) of a member of the Uniformed Services on active duty for a period of more than 30 days.
(ii) An abused dependent as described in § 199.3(b)(2)(iii).
(iii) A spouse, child, or unmarried person (as described in § 199.3(b)(2)(i), (b)(2)(ii), or (b)(2)(iv)), of a member of the Uniformed Services who dies while on active duty for a period of more than 30 days and whose death occurs on or after October 7, 2001. In such case, an eligible surviving spouse remains eligible for benefits under the ECHO for a period of 3 years from the date the active duty sponsor dies. Any other eligible surviving dependent remains eligible for benefits under the ECHO for a period of three years from the date the active duty sponsor dies or until the surviving eligible dependent:
(A) Attains 21 years of age, or
(B) Attains 23 years of age or ceases to pursue a full-time course of study prior to attaining 23 years of age, if, at 21 years of age, the eligible surviving dependent is enrolled in a full-time course of study in a secondary school or in a full-time course of study in an institution of higher education approved by Secretary of Defense and was, at the time of the sponsor’s death, in fact dependent on the member for over one-half of such dependent’s support.
(iv) A spouse, child, or unmarried person (as defined in paragraphs § 199.3(b)(2)(i), (b)(2)(ii), or (b)(2)(iv)) of a deceased member of the Uniformed Services who, at the time of the member’s death was receiving benefits under ECHO, and the member at the time of death was eligible for receipt of hostile-fire pay, or died as a result of a disease or injury incurred while eligible for such pay. In such a case, the surviving dependent remains eligible for benefits under ECHO through midnight of the dependent’s twenty-first birthday.
(2) Qualifying condition. The following are qualifying conditions:
(i) Mental retardation. A diagnosis of moderate or severe mental retardation made in accordance with the criteria of the current edition of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” published by the American Psychiatric Association.
(ii) Serious physical disability. A serious physical disability as defined in § 199.2.
(iii) Extraordinary physical or psychological condition. An extraordinary physical or psychological condition as defined in § 199.2.
(iv) Infant/toddler. Beneficiaries under the age of 3 years who are diagnosed with a neuromuscular developmental condition or other condition that is expected to precede a diagnosis of moderate or severe mental retardation or a serious physical disability, shall be deemed to have a qualifying condition for the ECHO. The Director, TRICARE Management Activity or designee shall establish criteria for ECHO eligibility in lieu of the requirements of paragraphs (b)(2)(i), (ii) or (iii) of this section.
(v) Multiple disabilities. The cumulative effect of multiple disabilities, as determined by the Director, TRICARE Management Activity or designee shall be used in lieu of the requirements of paragraphs (b)(2)(i), (ii) or (iii) of this section to determine a qualifying condition when the beneficiary has two or more disabilities involving separate body systems.
(3) Loss of ECHO eligibility. Eligibility for ECHO benefits ceases as of 12:01 a.m. of the day following the day that:
(i) The sponsor ceases to be an active duty member for any reason other than death; or
(ii) Eligibility based upon the abused dependent provisions of paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section expires; or
(iii) Eligibility based upon the deceased sponsor provisions of paragraphs (b)(1)(iii) or (iv) of this section expires; or
(iv) Eligibility based upon a beneficiary’s participation in the Transitional Assistance Management Program ends; or
(v) The Director, TRICARE Management Activity or designee determines that the beneficiary no longer has a qualifying condition.
(c) ECHO benefit. Items and services that the Director, TRICARE Management Activity or designee has determined are capable of confirming, arresting, or reducing the severity of the disabling effects of a qualifying condition, includes, but are not limited to:
(1) Diagnostic procedures to establish a qualifying condition or to measure the extent of functional loss resulting from a qualifying condition.
(2) Medical, habilitative, rehabilitative services and supplies, durable equipment and assistive technology (AT) devices that assist in the reduction of the disabling effects of a qualifying condition. Benefits shall be provided in the beneficiary’s home or another environment, as appropriate. An AT device may be covered only if it is recommended in a beneficiary’s Individual Educational Program (IEP) or, if the beneficiary is not eligible for an IEP, the AT device is an item or educational learning device normally included in an IEP and is preauthorized under ECHO as an integral component of the beneficiary’s individual comprehensive health care services plan (including rehabilitation) as prescribed by a TRICARE authorized provider.
(i) An AT device may be covered under ECHO only if it is not otherwise covered by TRICARE as durable equipment, a prosthetic, augmentation communication device, or other benefits under § 199.4.
(ii) An AT device may include an educational learning device directly related to the beneficiary’s qualifying condition when recommended by an IEP and not otherwise provided by State or local government programs. If an individual is not eligible for an IEP, an educational learning device normally included in the IEP may be authorized as if directly related to the beneficiary’s qualifying condition and prescribed by a TRICARE authorized provider as part of the beneficiary’s individual comprehensive health care services plan.
(iii) Electronic learning devices may include the hardware and software as appropriate. The Director, DHA, shall determine the types and (or) platforms of electronic devices and the replacement lifecycle of the hardware and its supporting software. All upgrades or replacements shall require a recommendation from the individual’s IEP or the individual’s comprehensive health care services plan.
(iv) Duplicative or redundant hardware platforms are not authorized.
When one or more electronic platforms such as a desktop computer, laptop, notebook or tablet can perform the same functions in relation to the teaching or educational objective directly related to the qualifying condition, it is the intent of this provision to allow only one electronic platform that may be chosen by the beneficiary. Duplicative or redundant platforms are not allowed; however, a second platform may be obtained, if the individual’s IEP recommends one platform such as a computer for the majority of the learning objectives, but there exists another objective, which cannot be performed on that platform. In these limited circumstances, the beneficiary may submit a request with the above justification to the Director, TMA, who may authorize a second device.
(v) AT devices damaged through improper use of the device may not be replaced until the device would next be eligible for a lifecycle replacement.
(vi) AT devices do not include equipment or devices whose primary purpose is to assist the individual to engage in sports or recreational activities.
(3) Training that teaches the use of assistive technology devices or to acquire skills that are necessary for the management of the qualifying condition. Such training is also authorized for the beneficiary’s immediate family. Vocational training, in the beneficiary’s home or a facility providing such, is also allowed.
(4) Special education as provided by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and defined at 34 CFR 300.26 and that is specifically designed to accommodate the disabling effects of the qualifying condition.
(5) Institutional care within a state, as defined in § 199.2, in private nonprofit, public, and state institutions and facilities, when the severity of the qualifying condition requires protective custody or training in a residential environment. For the purpose of this section protective custody means residential care that is necessary when the severity of the qualifying condition is such that the safety and well-being of the beneficiary or those who come into contact with the beneficiary may be in jeopardy without such care.
(6) Transportation of an ECHO beneficiary receiving benefits under paragraph (c)(5), and a medical attendant when necessary to assure the beneficiary’s safety, to or from a facility or institution to receive authorized ECHO services or items.
(7) Respite care. TRICARE beneficiaries enrolled in ECHO are eligible for a maximum of 16 hours of respite care per month. Respite care is defined in § 199.2. Respite care services will be provided by a TRICARE-authorized HHA and will be designed to provide health care services for the covered beneficiary. The benefit will not be cumulative, that is, any respite hours not used in one month will not be carried over or banked for use on another occasion.
(i) TRICARE-authorized home health agencies must provide and bill for all authorized ECHO respite care services through established TRICARE claims’ mechanisms. No special billing arrangements will be authorized in conjunction with coverage that may be provided by Medicaid or other federal, state, community or private programs.
(ii) For authorized ECHO respite care, TRICARE will reimburse the allowable charges or negotiated rates.
(iii) The Government’s cost-share incurred for these services accrues to the program year benefit limit of $36,000.
(8) Other services. (i) Assistive services. Services of qualified personal assistants, such as an interpreter or translator for ECHO beneficiaries who are deaf or mute and readers for ECHO beneficiaries who are blind, when such services are necessary in order for the ECHO beneficiary to receive authorized ECHO benefits.
(ii) Equipment adaptation. The allowable equipment and an AT device purchase shall include such services and modifications to the equipment as necessary to make the equipment usable for a particular ECHO beneficiary.
(iii) Equipment maintenance. Reasonable repairs and maintenance of the beneficiary owned or rented DE or AT devices provided by this section shall be allowed while a beneficiary is registered in the ECHO Program. Repairs of DE and/or AT devices damaged while using the item in a manner inconsistent with its common use, and replacement of lost or stolen rental DE are not authorized coverage as an ECHO benefit. In addition, repairs and maintenance of deluxe, luxury, or immaterial features of DE or AT devices are not authorized coverage as an ECHO benefit.
(d) ECHO Exclusions—(1) Basic Program. Benefits allowed under the TRICARE Basic Program will not be provided through the ECHO.
(2) Inpatient care. Inpatient acute care for medical or surgical treatment of an acute illness, or of an acute exacerbation of the qualifying condition, is excluded.
(3) Structural alterations. Alterations to living space and permanent fixtures attached thereto, including alterations necessary to accommodate installation of equipment or AT devices to facilitate entrance or exit, are excluded.
(4) Homemaker services. Services that predominantly provide assistance with household chores are excluded.
(5) Dental care or orthodontic treatment. Both are excluded.
(6) Deluxe travel or accommodations. The difference between the price for travel or accommodations that provide services or features that exceed the requirements of the beneficiary’s condition and the price for travel or accommodations without those services or features is excluded.
(7) Equipment. Purchase or rental of DE and AT devices otherwise allowed by this section is excluded when:
(i) The beneficiary is a patient in an institution or facility that ordinarily provides the same type of equipment or AT devices to its patients at no additional charge in the usual course of providing services; or
(ii) The item is available to the beneficiary from a Uniformed Services Medical Treatment Facility; or
(iii) The item has deluxe, luxury, immaterial or nonessential features that increase the cost to the Department relative to a similar item without those features; or
(iv) The item is a duplicate DE or an AT device, as defined in § 199.2.
(v) The item (or charge for access to such items through health club membership or other activities) is exercise equipment including an item primarily and customarily designed for use in sports or recreational activities, spa, whirlpool, hot tub, swimming pool, an electronic device used to locate or monitor the location of the beneficiary, or other similar items or charges.
(8) Maintenance agreements. Maintenance agreements for beneficiary owned or rented equipment or AT device are excluded.
(9) No obligation to pay. Services or items for which the beneficiary or sponsor has no legal obligation to pay are excluded.
(10) Public facility or Federal government. Services or items paid for, or eligible for payment, directly or indirectly by a public facility, as defined in § 199.2, or by the Federal government, other than the Department of Defense, are excluded for training, rehabilitation, special education, assistive technology devices, institutional care in private nonprofit, public, and state institutions and facilities, and if appropriate, transportation to and from such institutions and facilities, except when such services or items are eligible for payment under a state plan for medical assistance under Title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid). Rehabilitation and assistive technology services or supplies may be available under the TRICARE Basic Program.
(11) Study, grant, or research programs. Services and items provided as a part of a scientific clinical study, grant, or research program are excluded.
(12) Unproven status. Drugs, devices, medical treatments, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures for which the safety and efficacy have not been established in accordance with § 199.4 are excluded.
(13) Immediate family or household. Services or items provided or prescribed by a member of the beneficiary’s immediate family, or a person living in the beneficiary’s or sponsor’s household, are excluded.
(14) Court or agency ordered care. Services or items ordered by a court or other government agency, which are not otherwise an allowable ECHO benefit, are excluded.
(15) Excursions. Excursions are excluded regardless of whether or not they are part of a program offered by a TRICARE-authorized provider. The transportation benefit available under ECHO is specified elsewhere in this section.
(16) Drugs and medicines. Drugs and medicines that do not meet the requirements of § 199.4 or § 199.21 are excluded.
(17) Therapeutic absences. Therapeutic absences from an inpatient facility or from home for a homebound beneficiary are excluded.
(18) Custodial care. Custodial care, as defined in § 199.2 is not a stand-alone benefit. Services generally rendered as custodial care may be provided only as specifically set out in this section.
(19) Domiciliary care. Domiciliary care, as defined in § 199.2, is excluded.
(20) Respite care. Respite care for the purpose of covering primary caregiver (as defined in § 199.2) absences due to deployment, employment, seeking of employment or to pursue education is excluded. Authorized respite care covers only the ECHO beneficiary, not siblings or others who may reside in or be visiting in the beneficiary’s residence.
(e) ECHO Home Health Care (EHHC). The EHHC benefit provides coverage of home health care services and respite care services specified in this section.
(1) Home health care. Covered ECHO home health care services are the same as, and provided under the same conditions as those services described in § 199.4(e)(21)(i), except that they are not limited to part-time or intermittent services. Custodial care services, as defined in § 199.2, may be provided to the extent such services are provided in conjunction with authorized ECHO home health care services, including the EHHC respite care benefit specified in this section. Beneficiaries who are authorized EHHC will receive all home health care services under EHHC and no portion will be provided under the Basic Program. TRICARE-authorized home health agencies are not required to use the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) to assess beneficiaries who are authorized EHHC.
(2) Respite care. EHHC beneficiaries whose plan of care includes frequent interventions by the primary caregiver(s) are eligible for respite care services in lieu of the ECHO general respite care benefit. For the purpose of this section, the term “frequent” means “more than two interventions during the eight-hour period per day that the primary caregiver would normally be sleeping.” The services performed by the primary caregiver are those that can be performed safely and effectively by the average non-medical person without direct supervision of a health care provider after the primary caregiver has been trained by appropriate medical personnel. EHHC beneficiaries in this situation are eligible for a maximum of eight hours per day, 5 days per week, of respite care by a TRICARE-authorized home health agency. The home health agency will provide the health care interventions or services for the covered beneficiary so that the primary caregiver is relieved of the responsibility to provide such interventions or services for the duration of that period of respite care. The home health agency will not provide baby-sitting or child care services for other members of the family. The benefit is not cumulative, that is, any respite care hours not used in a given day may not be carried over or banked for use on another occasion. Additionally, the eight-hour respite care periods will not be provided consecutively, that is, a respite care period on one calendar day will not be immediately followed by a respite care period the next calendar day. The Government’s cost-share incurred for these services accrue to the maximum yearly ECHO Home Health Care benefit.
(3) EHHC eligibility. The EHHC is authorized for beneficiaries who meet all applicable ECHO eligibility requirements and who:
(i) Physically reside within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or Guam; and
(ii) Are homebound, as defined in § 199.2; and
(iii) Require medically necessary skilled services that exceed the level of coverage provided under the Basic Program’s home health care benefit; and/or
(iv) Require frequent interventions by the primary caregiver(s) such that respite care services are necessary to allow primary caregiver(s) the opportunity to rest; and
(v) Are case managed to include a reassessment at least every 90 days, and receive services as outlined in a written plan of care; and
(vi) Receive all home health care services from a TRICARE-authorized home health agency, as described in § 199.6(b)(4)(xv), in the beneficiary’s primary residence.
(4) EHHC plan of care. A written plan of care is required prior to authorizing ECHO home health care. The plan must include the type, frequency, scope and duration of the care to be provided and support the professional level of provider. Reimbursement will not be authorized for a level of provider not identified in the plan of care.
(5) EHHC exclusions—(i) General. ECHO Home Health Care services and supplies are excluded from those who are being provided continuing coverage of home health care as participants of the former Individual Case Management Program for Persons with Extraordinary Conditions (ICMP-PEC) or previous case management demonstrations.
(ii) Respite care. Respite care for the purpose of covering primary caregiver absences due to deployment, employment, seeking of employment or to pursue education is excluded. Authorized respite care covers only the ECHO beneficiary, not siblings or others who may reside in or be visiting in the beneficiary’s residence.
(f) Cost-share liability—(1) No deductible. ECHO benefits are not subject to a deductible amount.
(2) Sponsor cost-share liability. (i) Regardless of the number of family members receiving ECHO benefits or ECHO Home Health Care in a given month, the sponsor’s cost-share is according to the following table:
Table 1—Monthly Cost-Share by Member’s Pay Grade
| E-1 through E-5 | $25 |
| E-6 | 30 |
| E-7 and O-1 | 35 |
| E-8 and O-2 | 40 |
| E-9, W-1, W-2 and O-3 | 45 |
| W-3, W-4 and O-4 | 50 |
| W-5 and O-5 | 65 |
| O-6 | 75 |
| O-7 | 100 |
| O-8 | 150 |
| O-9 | 200 |
| O-10 | 250 |
(ii) The Sponsor’s cost-share shown in Table 1 in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section will be applied to the first allowed ECHO charges in any given month. The Government’s share will be paid, up to the maximum amount specified in paragraph (f)(3) of this section, for allowed charges after the sponsor’s cost-share has been applied.
(iii) The provisions of § 199.18(d)(1) and (e)(1) regarding elimination of copayments for active duty family members enrolled in TRICARE Prime do not eliminate, reduce, or otherwise affect the sponsor’s cost-share shown in Table 1 in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section.
(iv) The sponsor’s cost-share shown in Table 1 in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section does not accrue to the Basic Program’s Catastrophic Loss Protection under 10 U.S.C. 1079(b)(5) as shown at §§ 199.4(f)(10) and 199.18(f).
(3) Government cost-share liability—(i) ECHO. The total Government share of the cost of all ECHO benefits, except ECHO Home Health Care (EHHC) and EHHC respite care, provided in a given program year to a beneficiary, may not exceed $36,000 after application of the allowable payment methodology.
(ii) ECHO home health care. (A) The maximum annual program year Government cost-share per EHHC-eligible beneficiary for ECHO home health care, including EHHC respite care may not exceed the local wage-adjusted highest Medicare Resource Utilization Group (RUG-III) category cost for care in a TRICARE-authorized skilled nursing facility.
(B) When a beneficiary moves to a different locality within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or Guam, the annual program year cap will be recalculated to reflect the maximum established under paragraph (f)(3)(ii)(A) of this section for the beneficiary’s new location and will apply to the EHHC benefit for the remaining portion of that program year.
(g) Benefit payment—(1) Transportation. The allowable amount for transportation of an ECHO beneficiary is limited to the actual cost of the standard published fare plus any standard surcharge made to accommodate any person with a similar disability or to the actual cost of specialized medical transportation when non-specialized transport cannot accommodate the beneficiary’s qualifying condition related needs, or when specialized transport is more economical than non-specialized transport. When transport is by private vehicle, the allowable amount is limited to the Federal government employee mileage reimbursement rate in effect on the date the transportation is provided.
(2) Equipment. (i) The TRICARE allowable amount for DE or AT devices shall be calculated in the same manner as DME allowable through section 199.4 of this title, and accrues to the program year benefit limit specified in paragraph (f)(3) of this section.
(ii) Cost-share. A cost-share, as provided by paragraph (f)(2) of this section, is required for each month in which equipment or an AT device is purchased under this section. However, in no month shall a sponsor be required to pay more than one cost-share regardless of the number of benefits the sponsor’s dependents received under this section.
(3) For-profit institutional care provider. Institutional care provided by a for-profit entry may be allowed only when the care for a specific ECHO beneficiary:
(i) Is contracted for by a public facility as a part of a publicly funded long-term inpatient care program; and
(ii) Is provided based upon the ECHO beneficiary’s being eligible for the publicly funded program which has contracted for the care; and
(iii) Is authorized by the public facility as a part of a publicly funded program; and
(iv) Would cause a cost-share liability in the absence of TRICARE eligibility; and
(v) Produces an ECHO beneficiary cost-share liability that does not exceed the maximum charge by the provider to the public facility for the contracted level of care.
(4) ECHO home health care and EHHC respite care. (i) TRICARE-authorized home health agencies must provide and bill for all authorized home health care services through established TRICARE claims’ mechanisms. No special billing arrangements will be authorized in conjunction with coverage that may be provided by Medicaid or other federal, state, community or private programs.
(ii) For authorized ECHO home health care and respite care, TRICARE will reimburse the allowable charges or negotiated rates.
(iii) The maximum monthly Government reimbursement for EHHC, including EHHC respite care, will be based on the actual number of hours of EHHC services rendered in the month, but in no case will it exceed one-twelfth of the annual maximum Government cost-share as determined in this section and adjusted according to the actual number of days in the month the services were provided.
(h) Other Requirements—(1) Applicable part. All provisions of this part, except the provisions of § 199.4 unless otherwise provided by this section or as directed by the Director, TRICARE Management Activity or designee, apply to the ECHO.
(2) Registration. Active duty sponsors must register potential ECHO-eligible beneficiaries through the Director, TRICARE Management Activity, or designee prior to receiving ECHO benefits. The Director, TRICARE Management Activity, or designee will determine ECHO eligibility and update the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System accordingly. Unless waived by the Director, TRICARE Management Activity or designee, sponsors must provide evidence of enrollment in the Exceptional Family Member Program provided by their branch of Service at the time they register their family member(s) for the ECHO.
(3) Benefit authorization. All ECHO benefits require authorization by the Director, TRICARE Management Activity or designee prior to receipt of such benefits.
(i) Documentation. The sponsor shall provide such documentation as the Director, TRICARE Management Activity or designee requires as a prerequisite to authorizing ECHO benefits. Such documentation shall describe how the requested benefit will contribute to confirming, arresting, or reducing the disabling effects of the qualifying condition, including maintenance of function or prevention of further deterioration of function, of the beneficiary.
(ii) Format. An authorization issued by the Director, TRICARE Management Activity or designee shall specify such description, dates, amounts, requirements, limitations or information as necessary for exact identification of approved benefits and efficient adjudication of resulting claims.
(iii) Valid period. An authorization for ECHO benefits shall be valid until such time as the Director, TRICARE Management Activity or designee determines that the authorized services are no longer appropriate or required or the beneficiary is no longer eligible under paragraph (b) of this section.
(iv) Authorization waiver. The Director, TRICARE Management Activity or designee may waive the requirement for a written authorization for rendered ECHO benefits that, except for the absence of the written authorization, would be allowable as an ECHO benefit.
(v) Public facility use. (A) An ECHO beneficiary residing within a state must demonstrate that a public facility is not available and adequate to meet the needs of their qualifying condition. Such requirements shall apply to beneficiaries who request authorization for training, rehabilitation, special education, assistive technology, and institutional care in private nonprofit, public, and state institutions and facilities, and if appropriate for beneficiaries receiving institutional care, transportation to and from such institutions and facilities. The maximum Government cost-share for services that require demonstration of public facility non-availability or inadequacy is limited to $36,000 per program year per beneficiary. State-administered plans for medical assistance under Title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid) are not considered available and adequate facilities for the purpose of this section.
(B) The domicile of the beneficiary shall be the basis for the determination of public facility availability when the sponsor and beneficiary are separately domiciled due to the sponsor’s move to a new permanent duty station or due to legal custody requirements.
(C) Written certification, in accordance with information requirements, formats, and procedures established by the director, TRICARE Management Activity or designee that requested ECHO services or items cannot be obtained from public facilities because the services or items are not available and adequate, is a prerequisite for ECHO benefit payment for training, rehabilitation, special education, assistive technology, and institutional care in private nonprofit, public, and state institutions and facilities, and if appropriate, transportation to and from such institutions and facilities.
(1) An administrator or designee of a public facility may make such certification for a beneficiary residing within the service area of that public facility.
(2) The Director, TRICARE Management Activity or designee may determine, on a case-by-case basis, that apparent public facility availability or adequacy for a requested type of service or item cannot be substantiated for a specific beneficiary’s request for ECHO benefits and therefore is not available.
(i) A case-specific determination shall be based upon a written statement by the beneficiary (or sponsor or guardian acting on behalf of the beneficiary) which details the circumstances wherein a specific individual representing a specific public facility refused to provide a public facility use certification, and such other information as the Director, TRICARE Management Activity or designee determines to be material to the determination.
(ii) A case-specific determination of public facility availability by the Director, TRICARE Management Activity or designee is conclusive and is not appealable under § 199.10.
(4) Repair or maintenance of DE owned by the beneficiary or an AT device is exempt from the public facility-use certification requirements.
(5) The requirements of this paragraph (h)(3)(v)(A) notwithstanding, no public facility use certification is required for services and items that are provided under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in accordance with the Individualized Family Services Plan and that are otherwise allowable under the ECHO.
(i) Implementing instructions. The Director, TRICARE Management Activity or designee shall issue TRICARE policies, instructions, procedures, guidelines, standards, and criteria as may be necessary to implement the intent of this section.
(j) Effective date. All changes to this section are effective as of October 14, 2008, and claims for ECHO benefits provided on or after that date will be reprocessed retroactively to that date as necessary.
(a) General. This section sets forth general policies and procedures that are the basis for the CHAMPUS cost-sharing of medical services and supplies provided by institutions, individuals, or other types of providers. Providers seeking payment from the Federal Government through programs such as CHAMPUS have a duty to familiarize themselves with, and comply with, the program requirements.
(1) Listing of provider does not guarantee payment of benefits. The fact that a type of provider is listed in this section is not to be construed to mean that CHAMPUS will automatically pay a claim for services or supplies provided by such a provider. The provider who actually furnishes the service(s) must, in fact, meet all licensing and other requirements established by this part to be an authorized provider; the provider must not be the subject of sanction under § 199.9; and, cost-sharing of the services must not otherwise be prohibited by this part. In addition, the patient must in fact be an eligible beneficiary and the services or supplies billed must be authorized and medically necessary, regardless of the standing of the provider.
(2) Outside the United States or emergency situations within the United States. Outside the United States or within the United States and Puerto Rico in emergency situations, the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, after review of the facts, may provide payment to or on behalf of a beneficiary who receives otherwise covered services or supplies from a provider of service that does not meet the standards described in this part.
Only the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, or the Secretary of Transportation, or their designees, may authorize (in emergency situations) payment to civilian facilities in the United States that are not in compliance with title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. For the purpose of the Civil Rights Act only, the United States includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Wake Island, Canal Zone, and the territories and possessions of the United States.
(3) Dual compensation/Conflict of interest. Title 5, United States Code, section 5536 prohibits medical personnel who are active duty Uniformed Service members or civilian employees of the Government from receiving additional Government compensation above their normal pay and allowances for medical care furnished. In addition, Uniformed Service members and civilian employees of the Government are generally prohibited by law and agency regulations and policies from participating in apparent or actual conflict of interest situations in which a potential for personal gain exists or in which there is an appearance of impropriety or incompatibility with the performance of their official duties or responsibilities. The Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, and Transportation have a responsibility, when disbursing appropriated funds in the payment of CHAMPUS benefits, to ensure that the laws and regulations are not violated. Therefore, active duty Uniformed Service members (including a reserve member while on active duty and civilian employees of the United States Government shall not be authorized to be CHAMPUS providers. While individual employees of the Government may be able to demonstrate that the furnishing of care to CHAMPUS beneficiaries may not be incompatible with their official duties and responsibilities, the processing of millions of CHAMPUS claims each year does not enable Program administrators to efficiently review the status of the provider on each claim to ensure that no conflict of interest or dual compensation situation exists. The problem is further complicated given the numerous interagency agreements (for example, resource sharing arrangements between the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration in the provision of health care) and other unique arrangements which exist at individual treatment facilities around the country. While an individual provider may be prevented from being an authorized CHAMPUS provider even though no conflict of interest or dual compensation situation exists, it is essential for CHAMPUS to have an easily administered, uniform rule which will ensure compliance with the existing laws and regulations. Therefore, a provider who is an active duty Uniformed Service member or civilian employee of the Government shall not be an authorized CHAMPUS provider. In addition, a provider shall certify on each CHAMPUS claim that he/she is not an active duty Uniformed Service member or civilian employee of the Government.
(4) [Reserved]
(5) Utilization review and quality assurance. Providers approved as authorized CHAMPUS providers have certain obligations to provide services and supplies under CHAMPUS which are (i) furnished at the appropriate level and only when and to the extent medically necessary under the criteria of this part; (ii) of a quality that meets professionally recognized standards of health care; and, (iii) supported by adequate medical documentation as may be reasonably required under this part by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, to evidence the medical necessity and quality of services furnished, as well as the appropriateness of the level of care. Therefore, the authorization of CHAMPUS benefits is contingent upon the services and supplies furnished by any provider being subject to pre-payment or post-payment utilization and quality assurance review under professionally recognized standards, norms, and criteria, as well as any standards or criteria issued by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, pursuant to this part. (Refer to §§ 199.4, 199.5, and 199.7 of this part.)
(6) Exclusion of beneficiary liability. In connection with certain utilization review, quality assurance and preauthorization requirements of section 199.4 of this part, providers may not hold patients liable for payment for certain services for which CHAMPUS payment is disallowed. With respect to such services, providers may not seek payment from the patient or the patient’s family. Any such effort to seek payment is a basis for termination of the provider’s authorized status.
(7) Provider required. In order to be considered for benefits, all services and supplies shall be rendered by, prescribed by, or furnished at the direction of, or on the order of a CHAMPUS-authorized provider practicing within the scope of his or her license.
(8) Participating providers. A CHAMPUS-authorized provider is a participating provider, as defined in § 199.2 under the following circumstances:
(i) Mandatory participation. (A) An institutional provider in § 199.6(b), in order to be an authorized provider under TRICARE, must be a participating provider for all claims.
(B) A SNF or a HHA, in order to be an authorized provider under TRICARE, must enter into a participation agreement with TRICARE for all claims.
(C) Corporate services providers authorized as CHAMPUS providers under the provisions of paragraph (f) of this section must enter into a participation agreement as provided by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee.
(ii) Voluntary participation—(A) Total claims participation: The participating provider program. A CHAMPUS-authorized provider that is not required to participate by this part may become a participating provider by entering into an agreement or memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, which includes, but is not limited to, the provisions of paragraph (a)(13) of this section. The Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, may include in a participating provider agreement/MOU provisions that establish between CHAMPUS and a class, category, type, or specific provider, uniform procedures and conditions which encourage provider participation while improving beneficiary access to benefits and contributing to CHAMPUS efficiency. Such provisions shall be otherwise allowed by this part or by DoD Directive or DoD Instruction specifically pertaining to CHAMPUS claims participation. Participating provider program provisions may be incorporated into an agreement/MOU to establish a specific CHAMPUS-provider relationship, such as a preferred provider arrangement.
(B) Claim-specific participation. A CHAMPUS-authorized provider that is not required to participate and that has not entered into a participation agreement pursuant to paragraph (a)(8)(ii)(A) of this section may elect to be a participating provider on a claim-by-claim basis by indicating “accept assignment” on each claim form for which participation is elected.
(iii) Claim-by-claim participation. Individual providers that are not participating providers pursuant to paragraph (a)(8)(ii) of this section may elect to participate on a claim-by-claim basis. They may do so by signing the appropriate space on the claims form and submitting it to the appropriate TRICARE contractor on behalf of the beneficiary.
(9) Limitation to authorized institutional provider designation. Authorized institutional provider status granted to a specific institutional provider applicant does not extend to any institution-affiliated provider, as defined in § 199.2, of that specific applicant.
(10) Authorized provider. A hospital or institutional provider, physician, or other individual professional provider, or other provider of services or supplies specifically authorized in this chapter to provide benefits under CHAMPUS. In addition, to be an authorized CHAMPUS provider, any hospital which is a CHAMPUS participating provider under paragraph (a)(7) of this section, shall be a participating provider for all care, services, or supplies furnished to an active duty member of the uniformed services for which the active duty member is entitled under 10 U.S.C. 1074(c). As a participating provider for active duty members, the CHAMPUS authorized hospital shall provide such care, services, and supplies in accordance with the payment rules of § 199.16 of this part. The failure of any CHAMPUS participating hospital to be a participating provider for any active duty member subjects the hospital to termination of the hospital’s status as a CHAMPUS authorized provider for failure to meet the qualifications established by this part.
(11) Balance billing limits—(i) In general. Individual providers including providers salaried or under contract by an institutional provider and other providers who are not participating providers may not balance bill a beneficiary an amount that exceeds the applicable balance billing limit. The balance billing limit shall be the same percentage as the Medicare limiting charge percentage for nonparticipating practitioners and suppliers.
(ii) Waiver. The balance billing limit may be waived by the Director, OCHAMPUS on a case-by-case basis if requested by a CHAMPUS beneficiary. A decision by the Director, OCHAMPUS to waive or not waive the limit in any particular case is not subject to the appeal and hearing procedures of § 199.10.
(iii) Compliance. Failure to comply with the balance billing limit shall be considered abuse and/or fraud and grounds of exclusion or suspension of the provider under § 199.9.
(12) Medical records. CHAMPUS-authorized provider organizations and individuals providing clinical services shall maintain adequate clinical records to substantiate that specific care was actually furnished, was medically necessary, and appropriate, and identify(ies) the individual(s) who provided the care. This applies whether the care is inpatient or outpatient. The minimum requirements for medical record documentation are set forth by all of the following:
(i) The cognizant state licensing authority;
(ii) The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, or the appropriate Qualified Accreditation Organization as defined in § 199.2;
(iii) Standards of practice established by national medical organizations; and
(iv) This part.
(13) Participation agreements. A participation agreement otherwise required by this part shall include, in part, all of the following provisions requiring that the provider shall:
(i) Not charge a beneficiary for the following:
(A) Services for which the provider is entitled to payment from CHAMPUS;
(B) Services for which the beneficiary would be entitled to have CHAMPUS payment made had the provider complied with certain procedural requirements.
(C) Services not medically necessary and appropriate for the clinical management of the presenting illness, injury, disorder or maternity;
(D) Services for which a beneficiary would be entitled to payment but for a reduction or denial in payment as a result of quality review; and
(E) Services rendered during a period in which the provider was not in compliance with one or more conditions of authorization;
(ii) Comply with the applicable provisions of this part and related CHAMPUS administrative policy;
(iii) Accept the CHAMPUS determined allowable payment combined with the cost-share, deductible, and other health insurance amounts payable by, or on behalf of, the beneficiary, as full payment for CHAMPUS allowed services;
(iv) Collect from the CHAMPUS beneficiary those amounts that the beneficiary has a liability to pay for the CHAMPUS deductible and cost-share;
(v) Permit access by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, to the clinical record of any CHAMPUS beneficiary, to the financial and organizational records of the provider, and to reports of evaluations and inspections conducted by state, private agencies or organizations;
(vi) Provide the Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, prompt written notification of the provider’s employment of an individual who, at any time during the twelve months preceding such employment, was employed in a managerial, accounting, auditing, or similar capacity by an agency or organization which is responsible, directly or indirectly for decisions regarding Department of Defense payments to the provider;
(vii) Cooperate fully with a designated utilization and clinical quality management organization which has a contract with the Department of Defense for the geographic area in which the provider renders services;
(viii) Obtain written authorization before rendering designated services or items for which CHAMPUS cost-share may be expected;
(ix) Maintain clinical and other records related to individuals for whom CHAMPUS payment was made for services rendered by the provider, or otherwise under arrangement, for a period of 60 months from the date of service;
(x) Maintain contemporaneous clinical records that substantiate the clinical rationale for each course of treatment, periodic evaluation of the efficacy of treatment, and the outcome at completion or discontinuation of treatment;
(xi) Refer CHAMPUS beneficiaries only to providers with which the referring provider does not have an economic interest, as defined in § 199.2; and
(xii) Limit services furnished under arrangement to those for which receipt of payment by the CHAMPUS authorized provider discharges the payment liability of the beneficiary.
(14) Implementing instructions. The Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, shall issue CHAMPUS policies, instructions, procedures, and guidelines, as may be necessary to implement the intent of this section.
(15) Exclusion. Regardless of any provision in this section, a provider who is suspended, excluded, or terminated under § 199.9 of this part is specifically excluded as an authorized CHAMPUS provider.
(b) Institutional providers—(1) General. Institutional providers are those providers who bill for services in the name of an organizational entity (such as hospital and skilled nursing facility), rather than in the name of a person. The term “institutional provider” does not include professional corporations or associations qualifying as a domestic corporation under § 301.7701-5 of the Internal Revenue Service Regulations nor does it include other corporations that provide principally professional services. Institutional providers may provide medical services and supplies on either an inpatient or outpatient basis.
(i) Preauthorization. Preauthorization may be required by the Director, OCHAMPUS for any health care service for which payment is sought under CHAMPUS. (See §§ 199.4 and 199.15 for further information on preauthorization requirements.)
(ii) Billing practices.
(A) Each institutional billing, including those institutions subject to the CHAMPUS DRG-based reimbursement method or a CHAMPUS-determined all-inclusive rate reimbursement method, must be itemized fully and sufficiently descriptive for the CHAMPUS to make a determination of benefits.
(B) Institutional claims subject to the CHAMPUS DRG-based reimbursement method or a CHAMPUS-determined all-inclusive rate reimbursement method, may be submitted only after the beneficiary has been discharged or transferred from the institutional provider’s facility or program.
(C) Institutional claims for Residential Treatment Centers and all other institutional providers, except those listed in (B) above, should be submitted to the appropriate CHAMPUS fiscal intermediary at least every 30 days.
(2) Nondiscrimination policy. Except as provided below, payment may not be made for inpatient or outpatient care provided and billed by an institutional provider found by the Federal Government to practice discrimination in the admission of patients to its services on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Reimbursement may not be made to a beneficiary who pays for care provided by such a facility and submits a claim for reimbursement. In the following circumstances, the Secretary of Defense, or a designee, may authorize payment for care obtained in an ineligible facility:
(i) Emergency care. Emergency inpatient or outpatient care.
(ii) Care rendered before finding of a violation. Care initiated before a finding of a violation and which continues after such violation when it is determined that a change in the treatment facility would be detrimental to the health of the patient, and the attending physician so certifies.
(iii) Other facility not available. Care provided in an ineligible facility because an eligible facility is not available within a reasonable distance.
(3) Procedures for qualifying as a CHAMPUS-approved institutional provider. General and special hospitals otherwise meeting the qualifications outlined in paragraphs (b)(4) (i), (ii), and (iii), of this section are not required to request CHAMPUS approval formally.
(i) JCAH accreditation status. Each CHAMPUS fiscal intermediary shall keep informed as to the current JCAH accreditation status of all hospitals and skilled nursing facilities in its area; and the provider’s status under Medicare, particularly with regard to compliance with title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d(1)). The Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, shall specifically approve all other authorized institutional providers providing services to CHAMPUS beneficiaries. At the discretion of the Director, OCHAMPUS, any facility that is certified and participating as a provider of services under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare), may be deemed to meet CHAMPUS requirements. The facility must be providing a type and level of service that is authorized by this part.
(ii) Required to comply with criteria. Facilities seeking CHAMPUS approval will be expected to comply with appropriate criteria set forth in paragraph (b)(4) of this section. They also are required to complete and submit CHAMPUS Form 200, “Required Information, Facility Determination Instructions,” and provide such additional information as may be requested by OCHAMPUS. An onsite evaluation, either scheduled or unscheduled, may be conducted at the discretion of the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee. The final determination regarding approval, reapproval, or disapproval of a facility will be provided in writing to the facility and the appropriate CHAMPUS fiscal intermediary.
(iii) Notice of peer review rights. All health care facilities subject to the DRG-based payment system shall provide CHAMPUS beneficiaries, upon admission, with information about peer review including their appeal rights. The notices shall be in a form specified by the Director, OCHAMPUS.
(iv) Surveying of facilities. The surveying of newly established institutional providers and the periodic resurveying of all authorized institutional providers is a continuing process conducted by OCHAMPUS.
(v) Institutions not in compliance with CHAMPUS standards. If a determination is made that an institution is not in compliance with one or more of the standards applicable to its specific category of institution, CHAMPUS shall take immediate steps to bring about compliance or terminate the approval as an authorized institution in accordance with § 199.9(f)(2).
(vi) Participation agreements required for some hospitals which are not Medicare-participating. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (B)(3), a hospital which is subject to the CHAMPUS DRG-based payment system but which is not a Medicare-participating hospital must request and sign an agreement with OCHAMPUS. By signing the agreement, the hospital agrees to participate on all CHAMPUS inpatient claims and accept the requirements for a participating provider as contained in paragraph (a)(8) of § 199.6. Failure to sign such an agreement shall disqualify such hospital as a CHAMPUS-approved institutional provider.
(4) Categories of institutional providers. The following categories of institutional providers may be reimbursed by CHAMPUS for services provided CHAMPUS beneficiaries subject to any and all definitions, conditions, limitation, and exclusions specified or enumerated in this part.
(i) Hospitals, acute care, general and special. An institution that provides inpatient services, that also may provide outpatient services (including clinical and ambulatory surgical services), and that:
(A) Is engaged primarily in providing to inpatients, by or under the supervision of physicians, diagnostic and therapeutic services for the medical or surgical diagnosis and treatment of illness, injury, or bodily malfunction (including maternity).
(B) Maintains clinical records on all inpatients (and outpatients if the facility operates an outpatient department or emergency room).
(C) Has bylaws in effect with respect to its operations and medical staff.
(D) Has a requirement that every patient be under the care of a physician.
(E) Provides 24-hour nursing service rendered or supervised by a registered professional nurse, and has a licensed practical nurse or registered professional nurse on duty at all times.
(F) Has in effect a hospital utilization review plan that is operational and functioning.
(G) In the case of an institution in a state in which state or applicable local law provides for the licensing of hospitals, the hospital:
(1) Is licensed pursuant to such law, or
(2) Is approved by the agency of such state or locality responsible for licensing hospitals as meeting the standards established for such licensing.
(H) Has in effect an operating plan and budget.
(I) Is accredited by the JCAH or meets such other requirements as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary of Defense finds necessary in the interest of the health and safety of patients who are admitted to and furnished services in the institution.
(ii) Organ transplant centers. To obtain TRICARE approval as an organ transplant center, the center must be a Medicare approved transplant center or meet the criteria as established by the Executive Director, TMA, or a designee.
(iii) Organ transplant consortia. TRICARE shall approve individual pediatric organ transplant centers that meet the criteria established by the Executive Director, TMA, or a designee.
(iv) Hospitals, psychiatric. A psychiatric hospital is an institution which is engaged primarily in providing services to inpatients for the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
(A) There are two major categories of psychiatric hospitals:
(1) The private psychiatric hospital category includes both proprietary and the not-for-profit nongovernmental institutions.
(2) The second category is those psychiatric hospitals that are controlled, financed, and operated by departments or agencies of the local, state, or Federal Government and always are operated on a not-for-profit basis.
(B) In order for the services of a psychiatric hospital to be covered, the hospital shall comply with the provisions outlined in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section. All psychiatric hospitals shall be accredited under an accrediting organization approved by the Director, in order for their services to be cost-shared under CHAMPUS. In the case of those psychiatric hospitals that are not accredited because they have not been in operation a sufficient period of time to be eligible to request an accreditation survey, the Director, or a designee, may grant temporary approval if the hospital is certified and participating under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare, Part A). This temporary approval expires 12 months from the date on which the psychiatric hospital first becomes eligible to request an accreditation survey by an accrediting organization approved by the Director.
(C) Factors to be considered in determining whether CHAMPUS will cost-share care provided in a psychiatric hospital include, but are not limited to, the following considerations:
(1) Is the prognosis of the patient such that care provided will lead to resolution or remission of the mental illness to the degree that the patient is of no danger to others, can perform routine daily activities, and can be expected to function reasonably outside the inpatient setting?
(2) Can the services being provided be provided more economically in another facility or on an outpatient basis?
(3) Are the charges reasonable?
(4) Is the care primarily custodial or domiciliary? (Custodial or domiciliary care of the permanently mentally ill or retarded is not a benefit under the Basic Program.)
(D) Although psychiatric hospitals are accredited under an accrediting organization approved by Director, their medical records must be maintained in accordance with accrediting organization’s current standards manual, along with the requirements set forth in § 199.7(b)(3). The hospital is responsible for assuring that patient services and all treatment are accurately documented and completed in a timely manner.
(v) Long Term Care Hospital (LTCH). LTCHs must meet all the criteria for classification as an LTCH under 42 CFR part 412, subpart O, as well as all of the requirements of this part in order to be considered an authorized LTCH under the TRICARE program.
(A) In order for the services of LTCHs to be covered, the hospitals must comply with the provisions outlined in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section. In addition, in order for services provided by such hospitals to be covered by TRICARE, they must be primarily for the treatment of the presenting illness.
(B) Custodial or domiciliary care is not coverable under TRICARE, even if rendered in an otherwise authorized LTCH.
(C) The controlling factor in determining whether a beneficiary’s stay in a LTCH is coverable by TRICARE is the level of professional care, supervision, and skilled nursing care that the beneficiary requires, in addition to the diagnosis, type of condition, or degree of functional limitations. The type and level of medical services required or rendered is controlling for purposes of extending TRICARE benefits; not the type of provider or condition of the beneficiary.
(vi) Skilled nursing facility. A skilled nursing facility is an institution (or a distinct part of an institution) that is engaged primarily in providing to inpatients medically necessary skilled nursing care, which is other than a nursing home or intermediate facility, and which:
(A) Has policies that are developed with the advice of (and with provisions for review on a periodic basis by) a group of professionals, including one or more physicians and one or more registered nurses, to govern the skilled nursing care and related medical services it provides.
(B) Has a physician, a registered nurse, or a medical staff responsible for the execution of such policies.
(C) Has a requirement that the medical care of each patient must be under the supervision of a physician, and provides for having a physician available to furnish necessary medical care in case of an emergency.
(D) Maintains clinical records on all patients.
(E) Provides 24-hour skilled nursing service that is sufficient to meet nursing needs in accordance with the policies developed as provided in paragraph (b)(4)(iv)(A) of this section, and has at least one registered professional nurse employed full-time.
(F) Provides appropriate methods and procedures for the dispensing and administering of drugs and biologicals.
(G) Has in effect a utilization review plan that is operational and functioning.
(H) In the case of an institution in a state in which state or applicable local law provides for the licensing of this type facility, the institution:
(1) Is licensed pursuant to such law, or
(2) Is approved by the agency of such state or locality responsible for licensing such institutions as meeting the standards established for such licensing.
(I) Has in effect an operating plan and budget.
(J) Meets such provisions of the most current edition of the Life Safety Code
(K) Is an authorized provider under the Medicare program, and meets the requirements of Title 18 of the social Security Act, sections 1819(a), (b), (c), and (d) (42 U.S.C. 1395i-3(a)-(d)).
If a pediatric SNF is certified by Medicaid, it will be considered to meet the Medicare certification requirement in order to be an authorized provider under TRICARE.
(vii) Residential treatment centers. This paragraph (b)(4)(vii) establishes the definition of and eligibility standards and requirements for residential treatment centers (RTCs).
(A) Organization and administration—(1) Definition. A Residential Treatment Center (RTC) is a facility or a distinct part of a facility that provides to beneficiaries under 21 years of age a medically supervised, interdisciplinary program of mental health treatment. An RTC is appropriate for patients whose predominant symptom presentation is essentially stabilized, although not resolved, and who have persistent dysfunction in major life areas. Residential treatment may be complemented by family therapy and case management for community based resources. Discharge planning should support transitional care for the patient and family, to include resources available in the geographic area where the patient will be residing. The extent and pervasiveness of the patient’s problems require a protected and highly structured therapeutic environment. Residential treatment is differentiated from:
(i) Acute psychiatric care, which requires medical treatment and 24-hour availability of a full
range of diagnostic and therapeutic services to establish and implement an effective plan of care which will reverse life-threatening and/or severely incapacitating symptoms;
(ii) Partial hospitalization, which provides a less than 24-hour-per-day, seven-day-per-week treatment program for patients who continue to exhibit psychiatric problems but can function with support in some of the major life areas;
(iii) A group home, which is a professionally directed living arrangement with the availability of psychiatric consultation and treatment for patients with significant family dysfunction and/or chronic but stable psychiatric disturbances;
(iv) Therapeutic school, which is an educational program supplemented by psychological and psychiatric services;
(v) Facilities that treat patients with a primary diagnosis of substance use disorder; and
(vi) Facilities providing care for patients with a primary diagnosis of mental retardation or developmental disability.
(2) Eligibility. (i) In order to qualify as a TRICARE authorized provider, every RTC must meet the minimum basic standards set forth in paragraphs (b)(4)(vii)(A) through (C) of this section, and as well as such additional elaborative criteria and standards as the Director determines are necessary to implement the basic standards.
(ii) To qualify as a TRICARE authorized provider, the facility is required to be licensed and operate in substantial compliance with state and federal regulations.
(iii) The facility is currently accredited by an accrediting organization approved by the Director.
(iv) The facility has a written participation agreement with OCHAMPUS. The RTC is not a CHAMPUS-authorized provider and CHAMPUS benefits are not paid for services provided until the date upon which a participation agreement is signed by the Director.
(B) Participation agreement requirements. In addition to other requirements set forth in this paragraph (b)(4)(vii), for the services of an RTC to be authorized, the RTC shall have entered into a Participation Agreement with OCHAMPUS. The period of a participation agreement shall be specified in the agreement, and will generally be for not more than five years. In addition to review of a facility’s application and supporting documentation, an on-site inspection by OCHAMPUS authorized personnel may be required prior to signing a Participation Agreement. Retroactive approval is not given. In addition, the Participation Agreement shall include provisions that the RTC shall, at a minimum:
(1) Render residential treatment center inpatient services to eligible CHAMPUS beneficiaries in need of such services, in accordance with the participation agreement and CHAMPUS regulation;
(2) Accept payment for its services based upon the methodology provided in § 199.14(f) or such other method as determined by the Director;
(3) Accept the CHAMPUS all-inclusive per diem rate as payment in full and collect from the CHAMPUS beneficiary or the family of the CHAMPUS beneficiary only those amounts that represent the beneficiary’s liability, as defined in § 199.4, and charges for services and supplies that are not a benefit of CHAMPUS;
(4) Make all reasonable efforts acceptable to the Director, to collect those amounts, which represents the beneficiary’s liability, as defined in § 199.4;
(5) Comply with the provisions of § 199.8, and submit claims first to all health insurance coverage to which the beneficiary is entitled that is primary to CHAMPUS;
(6) Submit claims for services provided to CHAMPUS beneficiaries at least every 30 days (except to the extent a delay is necessitated by efforts to first collect from other health insurance). If claims are not submitted at least every 30 days, the RTC agrees not to bill the beneficiary or the beneficiary’s family for any amounts disallowed by CHAMPUS;
(7) Certify that:
(i) It is and will remain in compliance with the TRICARE standards and provisions of paragraph (b)(4)(vii) of this section establishing standards for Residential Treatment Centers; and
(ii) It will maintain compliance with the CHAMPUS Standards for Residential Treatment Centers Serving Children and Adolescents with Mental Disorders, as issued by the Director, except for any such standards regarding which the facility notifies the Director that it is not in compliance.
(8) Designate an individual who will act as liaison for CHAMPUS inquiries. The RTC shall inform OCHAMPUS in writing of the designated individual;
(9) Furnish OCHAMPUS, as requested by OCHAMPUS, with cost data certified by an independent accounting firm or other agency as authorized by the Director, OCHAMPUS;
(10) Comply with all requirements of this section applicable to institutional providers generally concerning accreditation requirements, preauthorization, concurrent care review, claims processing, beneficiary liability, double coverage, utilization and quality review, and other matters;
(11) Grant the Director, or designee, the right to conduct quality assurance audits or accounting audits with full access to patients and records (including records relating to patients who are not CHAMPUS beneficiaries) to determine the quality and cost-effectiveness of care rendered. The audits may be conducted on a scheduled or unscheduled (unannounced) basis. This right to audit/review includes, but is not limited to:
(i) Examination of fiscal and all other records of the RTC which would confirm compliance with the participation agreement and designation as a TRICARE authorized RTC;
(ii) Conducting such audits of RTC records including clinical, financial, and census records, as may be necessary to determine the nature of the services being provided, and the basis for charges and claims against the United States for services provided CHAMPUS beneficiaries;
(iii) Examining reports of evaluations and inspections conducted by federal, state and local government, and private agencies and organizations;
(iv) Conducting on-site inspections of the facilities of the RTC and interviewing employees, members of the staff, contractors, board members, volunteers, and patients, as required;
(v) Audits conducted by the United States Government Accountability Office.
(C) Other requirements applicable to RTCs. (1) Even though an RTC may qualify as a TRICARE authorized provider and may have entered into a participation agreement with CHAMPUS, payment by CHAMPUS for particular services provided is contingent upon the RTC also meeting all conditions set forth in § 199.4 especially all requirements of § 199.4(b)(4).
(2) The RTC shall provide inpatient services to CHAMPUS beneficiaries in the same manner it provides inpatient services to all other patients. The RTC may not discriminate against CHAMPUS beneficiaries in any manner, including admission practices, placement in special or separate wings or rooms, or provisions of special or limited treatment.
(3) The RTC shall assure that all certifications and information provided to the Director, incident to the process of obtaining and retaining authorized provider status is accurate and that it has no material errors or omissions. In the case of any misrepresentations, whether by inaccurate information being provided or material facts withheld, authorized status will be denied or terminated, and the RTC will be ineligible for consideration for authorized provider status for a two year period.
(viii) Christian Science sanatoriums. The services obtained in Christian Science sanatoriums are covered by CHAMPUS as inpatient care. To qualify for coverage, the sanatorium either must be operated by, or be listed and certified by the First Church of Christ, Scientist.
(ix) Infirmaries. Infirmaries are facilities operated by student health departments of colleges and universities to provide inpatient or outpatient care to enrolled students. Charges for care provided by such facilities will not be cost-shared by CHAMPUS if the student would not be charged in the absence of CHAMPUS, or if student is covered by a mandatory student health insurance plan, in which enrollment is required as a part of the student’s school registration and the charges by the college or university include a premium for the student health insurance coverage. CHAMPUS will cost-share only if enrollment in the student health program or health insurance plan is voluntary.
An infirmary in a boarding school also may qualify under this provision, subject to review and approval by the Director, OCHAMPUS or a designee.
(x) Other special institution providers. (A) General. (1) Care provided by certain special institutional providers (on either an inpatient or outpatient basis), may be cost-shared by CHAMPUS under specified circumstances and only if the provider is specifically identified in paragraph (b)(4)(x) of this section.
(i) The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor of medicine or osteopathy.
(ii) The patient is under the supervision of a physician during the entire course of the inpatient admission or the outpatient treatment.
(iii) The type and level of care and service rendered by the institution are otherwise authorized by this part.
(iv) The facility meets all licensing or other certification requirements that are extant in the jurisdiction in which the facility is located geographically.
(v) Is other than a nursing home, intermediate care facility, home for the aged, halfway house, or other similar institution.
(vi) Is accredited by the JCAH or other CHAMPUS-approved accreditation organization, if an appropriate accreditation program for the given type of facility is available. As future accreditation programs are developed to cover emerging specialized treatment programs, such accreditation will be a prerequisite to coverage by CHAMPUS for services provided by such facilities.
(2) To ensure that CHAMPUS beneficiaries are provided quality care at a reasonable cost when treated by a special institutional provider, the Director, OCHAMPUS may:
(i) Require prior approval of all admissions to special institutional providers.
(ii) Set appropriate standards for special institutional providers in addition to or in the absence of JCAHO accreditation.
(iii) Monitor facility operations and treatment programs on a continuing basis and conduct onsite inspections on a scheduled and unscheduled basis.
(iv) Negotiate agreements of participation.
(v) Terminate approval of a case when it is ascertained that a departure from the facts upon which the admission was based originally has occurred.
(vi) Declare a special institutional provider not eligible for CHAMPUS payment if that facility has been found to have engaged in fraudulent or deceptive practices.
(3) In general, the following disclaimers apply to treatment by special institutional providers:
(i) Just because one period or episode of treatment by a facility has been covered by CHAMPUS may not be construed to mean that later episodes of care by the same or similar facility will be covered automatically.
(ii) The fact that one case has been authorized for treatment by a specific facility or similar type of facility may not be construed to mean that similar cases or later periods of treatment will be extended CHAMPUS benefits automatically.
(B) Types of providers. The following is a list of facilities that have been designated specifically as special institutional providers.
(1) Ambulatory surgical centers (ASC). ASCs must meet all criteria for classification as an Ambulatory Surgical Center under 42 CFR part 416, as well as all of the requirements of this part, in order to be considered an authorized ASC under the TRICARE program. Care provided by an authorized TRICARE ASC may be cost-shared under the following circumstances:
(i) A childbirth procedure provided by a CHAMPUS-approved ASC shall not be cost-shared by CHAMPUS unless the surgical center is also a CHAMPUS-approved birthing center institutional provider as established by the birthing center provider certification requirement of this part, and then reimbursement of covered maternity care and childbirth services shall be subject to § 199.14(e).
(ii) ASCs must demonstrate they have a valid participation agreement with Medicare, except as provided under paragraph (b)(4)(x)(B)(1)(i) of this section. In addition, in order to be considered an authorized TRICARE provider, ASCs must accept the requirements for a participating provider under paragraph (a)(13) of this section and must also enter into a participation agreement with TRICARE which includes a specific “hold harmless” provision under which the facility will agree not to bill the patient for services not on the Medicare ASC procedures list unless, the patient is advised in writing that the non-listed procedure is not covered by TRICARE and the patient agrees, in advance in writing, to be financially liable for the non-covered procedure.
(iii) ASCs that do not have an agreement with Medicare due to the nature of the patients they treat (e.g., pediatric patients) shall be accredited by the Joint Commission, the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. (AAAHC), or such other accreditation as authorized by the Director, DHA and published in the implementing instructions. Additionally, these facilities must enter into participation agreements with TRICARE, including the hold harmless provisions under paragraph (b)(4)(x)(B)(1)(ii) of this section, and accept the requirements for a participating provider under paragraph (a)(13) of this section in order to be an authorized TRICARE provider.
(2) [Reserved]
(xi) Birthing centers. A birthing center is a freestanding or institution-affiliated outpatient maternity care program which principally provides a planned course of outpatient prenatal care and outpatient childbirth service limited to low-risk pregnancies; excludes care for high-risk pregnancies; limits childbirth to the use of natural childbirth procedures; and provides immediate newborn care.
(A) Certification requirements. A birthing center which meets the following criteria may be designated as an authorized CHAMPUS institutional provider:
(1) The predominant type of service and level of care rendered by the center is otherwise authorized by this part.
(2) The center is licensed to operate as a birthing center where such license is available, or is specifically licensed as a type of ambulatory health care facility where birthing center specific license is not available, and meets all applicable licensing or certification requirements that are extant in the state, county, municipality, or other political jurisdiction in which the center is located.
(3) The center is accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation organization whose standards and procedures have been determined to be acceptable by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee.
(4) The center complies with the CHAMPUS birthing center standards set forth in this part.
(5) The center has entered into a participation agreement with OCHAMPUS in which the center agrees, in part, to:
(i) Participate in CHAMPUS and accept payment for maternity services based upon the reimbursement methodology for birthing centers;
(ii) Collect from the CHAMPUS beneficiary only those amounts that represent the beneficiary’s liability under the participation agreement and the reimbursement methodology for birthing centers, and the amounts for services and supplies that are not a benefit of the CHAMPUS;
(iii) Permit access by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, to the clinical record of any CHAMPUS beneficiary, to the financial and organizational records of the center, and to reports of evaluations and inspections conducted by state or private agencies or organizations;
(iv) Submit claims first to all health benefit and insurance plans primary to the CHAMPUS to which the beneficiary is entitled and to comply with the double coverage provisions of this part;
(v) Notify CHAMPUS in writing within 7 days of the emergency transport of any CHAMPUS beneficiary from the center to an acute care hospital or of the death of any CHAMPUS beneficiary in the center.
(6) A birthing center shall not be a CHAMPUS-authorized institutional provider and CHAMPUS benefits shall not be paid for any service provided by a birthing center before the date the participation agreement is signed by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee.
(B) CHAMPUS birthing center standards. (1) Environment: The center has a safe and sanitary environment, properly constructed, equipped, and maintained to protect health and safety and meets the applicable provisions of the “Life Safety Code” of the National Fire Protection Association.
(2) Policies and procedures: The center has written administrative, fiscal, personnel and clinical policies and procedures which collectively promote the provision of high-quality maternity care and childbirth services in an orderly, effective, and safe physical and organizational environment.
(3) Informed consent: Each CHAMPUS beneficiary admitted to the center will be informed in writing at the time of admission of the nature and scope of the center’s program and of the possible risks associated with maternity care and childbirth in the center.
(4) Beneficiary care: Each woman admitted will be cared for by or under the direct supervision of a specific physician or a specific certified nurse-midwife who is otherwise eligible as a CHAMPUS individual professional provider.
(5) Medical direction: The center has written memoranda of understanding (MOU) for routine consultation and emergency care with an obstetrician-gynecologist who is certified or is eligible for certification by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology or the American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and with a pediatrician who is certified or eligible for certification by the American Board of Pediatrics or by the American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics, each of whom have admitting privileges to at least one backup hospital. In lieu of a required MOU, the center may employ a physician with the required qualifications. Each MOU must be renewed annually.
(6) Admission and emergency care criteria and procedures. The center has written clinical criteria and administrative procedures, which are reviewed and approved annually by a physician related to the center as required by paragraph (b)(4)(xi)(B)(5) above, for the exclusion of a woman with a high-risk pregnancy from center care and for management of maternal and neonatal emergencies.
(7) Emergency treatment. The center has a written memorandum of understanding (MOU) with at least one backup hospital which documents that the hospital will accept and treat any woman or newborn transferred from the center who is in need of emergency obstetrical or neonatal medical care. In lieu of this MOU with a hospital, a birthing center may have an MOU with a physician, who otherwise meets the requirements as a CHAMPUS individual professional provider, and who has admitting privileges to a backup hospital capable of providing care for critical maternal and neonatal patients as demonstrated by a letter from that hospital certifying the scope and expected duration of the admitting privileges granted by the hospital to the physician. The MOU must be reviewed annually.
(8) Emergency medical transportation. The center has a written memorandum of understanding (MOU) with at least one ambulance service which documents that the ambulance service is routinely staffed by qualified personnel who are capable of the management of critical maternal and neonatal patients during transport and which specifies the estimated transport time to each backup hospital with which the center has arranged for emergency treatment as required in paragraph (b)(4)(xi)(B)(7) above. Each MOU must be renewed annually.
(9) Professional staff. The center’s professional staff is legally and professionally qualified for the performance of their professional responsibilities.
(10) Medical records. The center maintains full and complete written documentation of the services rendered to each woman admitted and each newborn delivered. A copy of the informed consent document required by paragraph (b)(4)(xi)(B)(3), above, which contains the original signature of the CHAMPUS beneficiary, signed and dated at the time of admission, must be maintained in the medical record of each CHAMPUS beneficiary admitted.
(11) Quality assurance. The center has an organized program for quality assurance which includes, but is not limited to, written procedures for regularly scheduled evaluation of each type of service provided, of each mother or newborn transferred to a hospital, and of each death within the facility.
(12) Governance and administration. The center has a governing body legally responsible for overall operation and maintenance of the center and a full-time employee who has authority and responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the center.
(xii) Psychiatric and substance use disorder partial hospitalization programs. This paragraph (b)(4)(xii) establishes the definition of and eligibility standards and requirements for psychiatric and substance use disorder partial hospitalization programs.
(A) Organization and administration—(1) Definition. Partial hospitalization is defined as a time-limited, ambulatory, active treatment program that offers therapeutically intensive, coordinated, and structured clinical services within a stable therapeutic milieu. Partial hospitalization programs serve patients who exhibit psychiatric symptoms, disturbances of conduct, and decompensating conditions affecting mental health. Partial hospitalization is appropriate for those whose psychiatric and addiction-related symptoms or concomitant physical and emotional/behavioral problems can be managed outside the hospital for defined periods of time with support in one or more of the major life areas. A partial hospitalization program for the treatment of substance use disorders is an addiction-focused service that provides active treatment to children and adolescents, or adults aged 18 and over.
(2) Eligibility. (i) To qualify as a TRICARE authorized provider, every partial hospitalization program must meet minimum basic standards set forth in paragraphs (b)(4)(xii)(A) through (D) of this section, as well as such additional elaborative criteria and standards as the Director determines are necessary to implement the basic standards. Each partial hospitalization program must be either a distinct part of an otherwise-authorized institutional provider or a free-standing program. Approval of a hospital by TRICARE is sufficient for its partial hospitalization program to be an authorized TRICARE provider. Such hospital-based partial hospitalization programs are not required to be separately authorized by TRICARE.
(ii) To be approved as a TRICARE authorized provider, the facility is required to be licensed and operate in substantial compliance with state and federal regulations.
(iii) The facility is required to be currently accredited by an accrediting organization approved by the Director. Each PHP authorized to treat substance use disorder must be accredited to provide the level of required treatment by an accreditation body approved by the Director.
(iv) The facility is required to have a written participation agreement with OCHAMPUS. The PHP is not a CHAMPUS-authorized provider and CHAMPUS benefits are not paid for services provided until the date upon which a participation agreement is signed by the Director.
(B) Participation agreement requirements. In addition to other requirements set forth in this paragraph (b)(4)(xii), in order for the services of a PHP to be authorized, the PHP shall have entered into a Participation Agreement with OCHAMPUS. A single consolidated participation agreement is acceptable for all units of the TRICARE authorized facility granted that all programs meet the requirements of this part. The period of a Participation Agreement shall be specified in the agreement, and will generally be for not more than five years. The PHP shall not be considered to be a CHAMPUS authorized provider and CHAMPUS payments shall not be made for services provided by the PHP until the date the participation agreement is signed by the Director. In addition to review of a facility’s application and supporting documentation, an on-site inspection by OCHAMPUS authorized personnel may be required prior to signing a participation agreement. The Participation Agreement shall include at least the following requirements:
(1) Render partial hospitalization program services to eligible CHAMPUS beneficiaries in need of such services, in accordance with the participation agreement and CHAMPUS regulation.
(2) Accept payment for its services based upon the methodology provided in § 199.14, or such other method as determined by the Director;
(3) Accept the CHAMPUS all-inclusive per diem rate as payment in full and collect from the CHAMPUS beneficiary or the family of the CHAMPUS beneficiary only those amounts that represent the beneficiary’s liability, as defined in § 199.4, and charges for services and supplies that are not a benefit of CHAMPUS;
(4) Make all reasonable efforts acceptable to the Director to collect those amounts, which represent the beneficiary’s liability, as defined in § 199.4;
(5) Comply with the provisions of § 199.8, and submit claims first to all health insurance coverage to which the beneficiary is entitled that is primary to CHAMPUS;
(6) Submit claims for services provided to CHAMPUS beneficiaries at least every 30 days (except to the extent a delay is necessitated by efforts to first collect from other health insurance). If claims are not submitted at least every 30 days, the PHP agrees not to bill the beneficiary or the beneficiary’s family for any amounts disallowed by CHAMPUS;
(7) Certify that:
(i) It is and will remain in compliance with the TRICARE standards and provisions of paragraph (b)(4)(xii) of this section establishing standards for psychiatric and substance use disorder partial hospitalization programs; and
(ii) It will maintain compliance with the CHAMPUS Standards for Psychiatric Substance Use Disorder Partial Hospitalization Programs, as issued by the Director, except for any such standards regarding which the facility notifies the Director, or designee, that it is not in compliance.
(8) Designate an individual who will act as liaison for CHAMPUS inquiries. The PHP shall inform the Director, or designee, in writing of the designated individual;
(9) Furnish OCHAMPUS, as requested by OCHAMPUS, with cost data certified by an independent accounting firm or other agency as authorized by the Director;
(10) Comply with all requirements of this section applicable to institutional providers generally concerning accreditation requirements, preauthorization, concurrent care review, claims processing, beneficiary liability, double coverage, utilization and quality review, and other matters;
(11) Grant the Director, or designee, the right to conduct quality assurance audits or accounting audits with full access to patients and records (including records relating to patients who are not CHAMPUS beneficiaries) to determine the quality and cost-effectiveness of care rendered. The audits may be conducted on a scheduled or unscheduled (unannounced) basis. This right to audit/review includes, but is not limited to:
(i) Examination of fiscal and all other records of the PHP which would confirm compliance with the participation agreement and designation as a TRICARE authorized PHP provider;
(ii) Conducting such audits of PHP records including clinical, financial, and census records, as may be necessary to determine the nature of the services being provided, and the basis for charges and claims against the United States for services provided CHAMPUS beneficiaries;
(iii) Examining reports of evaluations and inspections conducted by federal, state and local government, and private agencies and organizations;
(iv) Conducting on-site inspections of the facilities of the PHP and interviewing employees, members of the staff, contractors, board members, volunteers, and patients, as required;
(v) Audits conducted by the United States General Account Office.
(C) Other requirements applicable to PHPs. (1) Even though a PHP may qualify as a TRICARE authorized provider and may have entered into a participation agreement with CHAMPUS, payment by CHAMPUS for particular services provided is contingent upon the PHP also meeting all conditions set forth in § 199.4.
(2) The PHP may not discriminate against CHAMPUS beneficiaries in any manner, including admission practices, placement in special or separate wings or rooms, or provisions of special or limited treatment.
(3) The PHP shall assure that all certifications and information provided to the Director incident to the process of obtaining and retaining authorized provider status is accurate and that is has no material errors or omissions. In the case of any misrepresentations, whether by inaccurate information being provided or material facts withheld, authorized provider status will be denied or terminated, and the PHP will be ineligible for consideration for authorized provider status for a two year period.
(xiii) Hospice programs. Hospice programs must be Medicare approved and meet all Medicare conditions of participation (42 CFR part 418) in relation to CHAMPUS patients in order to receive payment under the CHAMPUS program. A hospice program may be found to be out of compliance with a particular Medicare condition of participation and still participate in the CHAMPUS as long as the hospice is allowed continued participation in Medicare while the condition of noncompliance is being corrected. The hospice program can be either a public agency or private organization (or a subdivision thereof) which:
(A) Is primarily engaged in providing the care and services described under § 199.4(e)(19) and makes such services available on a 24-hour basis.
(B) Provides bereavement counseling for the immediate family or terminally ill individuals.
(C) Provides for such care and services in individuals’ homes, on an outpatient basis, and on a short-term inpatient basis, directly or under arrangements made by the hospice program, except that the agency or organization must:
(1) Ensure that substantially all the core services are routinely provided directly by hospice employees.
(2) Maintain professional management responsibility for all services which are not directly furnished to the patient, regardless of the location or facility in which the services are rendered.
(3) Provide assurances that the aggregate number of days of inpatient care provided in any 12-month period does not exceed 20 percent of the aggregate number of days of hospice care during the same period.
(4) Have an interdisciplinary group composed of the following personnel who provide the care and services described under § 199.4(e)(19) and who establish the policies governing the provision of such care/services:
(i) A physician;
(ii) A registered professional nurse;
(iii) A social worker; and
(iv) A pastoral or other counselor.
(5) Maintain central clinical records on all patients.
(6) Utilize volunteers.
(7) The hospice and all hospice employees must be licensed in accordance with applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations.
(8) The hospice must enter into an agreement with CHAMPUS in order to be qualified to participate and to be eligible for payment under the program. In this agreement the hospice and CHAMPUS agree that the hospice will:
(i) Not charge the beneficiary or any other person for items or services for which the beneficiary is entitled to have payment made under the CHAMPUS hospice benefit.
(ii) Be allowed to charge the beneficiary for items or services requested by the beneficiary in addition to those that are covered under the CHAMPUS hospice benefit.
(9) Meet such other requirements as the Secretary of Defense may find necessary in the interest of the health and safety of the individuals who are provided care and services by such agency or organization.
(xiv) Substance use disorder rehabilitation facilities. This paragraph (b)(4)(xiv) establishes the definition of eligibility standards and requirements for residential substance use disorder rehabilitation facilities (SUDRF).
(A) Organization and administration—(1) Definition. A SUDRF is a residential or rehabilitation facility, or distinct part of a facility, that provides medically monitored, interdisciplinary addiction-focused treatment to beneficiaries who have psychoactive substance use disorders. Qualified health care professionals provide 24-hour, seven-day-per-week, assessment, treatment, and evaluation. A SUDRF is appropriate for patients whose addiction-related symptoms, or concomitant physical and emotional/behavioral problems reflect persistent dysfunction in several major life areas. Residential or inpatient rehabilitation is differentiated from:
(i) Acute psychoactive substance use treatment and from treatment of acute biomedical/emotional/behavioral problems; which problems are either life-threatening and/or severely incapacitating and often occur within the context of a discrete episode of addiction-related biomedical or psychiatric dysfunction;
(ii) A partial hospitalization center, which serves patients who exhibit emotional/behavioral dysfunction but who can function in the community for defined periods of time with support in one or more of the major life areas;
(iii) A group home, sober-living environment, halfway house, or three-quarter way house;
(iv) Therapeutic schools, which are educational programs supplemented by addiction-focused services;
(v) Facilities that treat patients with primary psychiatric diagnoses other than psychoactive substance use or dependence; and
(vi) Facilities that care for patients with the primary diagnosis of mental retardation or developmental disability.
(2) Eligibility. (i) In order to become a TRICARE authorized provider, every SUDRF must meet minimum basic standards set forth in paragraphs (b)(4)(xiv)(A) through (C) of this section, as well as such additional elaborative criteria and standards as the Director determines are necessary to implement the basic standards.
(ii) To be approved as a TRICARE authorized provider, the SUDRF is required to be licensed and operate in substantial compliance with state and federal regulations.
(iii) The SUDRF is currently accredited by an accrediting organization approved by the Director. Each SUDRF must be accredited to provide the level of required treatment by an accreditation body approved by the Director.
(iv) The SUDRF has a written participation agreement with OCHAMPUS. The SUDRF is not considered a TRICARE authorized provider, and CHAMPUS benefits are not paid for services provided until the date upon which a participation agreement is signed by the Director.
(B) Participation agreement requirements. In addition to other requirements set forth in this paragraph (b)(4)(xiv), in order for the services of an inpatient rehabilitation center for the treatment of substance use disorders to be authorized, the center shall have entered into a Participation Agreement with OCHAMPUS. A single consolidated participation agreement is acceptable for all units of the TRICARE authorized facility. The period of a Participation Agreement shall be specified in the agreement, and will generally be for not more than five years. The SUDRF shall not be considered to be a CHAMPUS authorized provider and CHAMPUS payments shall not be made for services provided by the SUDRF until the date the participation agreement is signed by the Director. In addition to review of the SUDRF’s application and supporting documentation, an on-site visit by OCHAMPUS representatives may be part of the authorization process. The Participation Agreement shall include at least the following requirements:
(1) Render applicable services to eligible CHAMPUS beneficiaries in need of such services, in accordance with the participation agreement and CHAMPUS regulation;
(2) Accept payment for its services based upon the methodology provided in § 199.14, or such other method as determined by the Director;
(3) Accept the CHAMPUS-determined rate as payment in full and collect from the CHAMPUS beneficiary or the family of the CHAMPUS beneficiary only those amounts that represent the beneficiary’s liability, as defined in § 199.4, and charges for services and supplies that are not a benefit of CHAMPUS;
(4) Make all reasonable efforts acceptable to the Director to collect those amounts which represent the beneficiary’s liability, as defined in § 199.4;
(5) Comply with the provisions of § 199.8, and submit claims first to all health insurance coverage to which the beneficiary is entitled that is primary to CHAMPUS;
(6) Furnish OCHAMPUS with cost data, as requested by OCHAMPUS, certified to by an independent accounting firm or other agency as authorized by the Director;
(7) Certify that:
(i) It is and will remain in compliance with the provisions of paragraph (b)(4)(xiv) of the section establishing standards for substance use disorder rehabilitation facilities; and
(ii) It has conducted a self-assessment of the facility’s compliance with the CHAMPUS Standards for Substance Use Disorder Rehabilitation Facilities, as issued by the Director and notified the Director of any matter regarding which the facility is not in compliance with such standards; and
(iii) It will maintain compliance with the CHAMPUS Standards for Substance Use Disorder Rehabilitation Facilities, as issued by the Director, except for any such standards regarding which the facility notifies the Director that it is not in compliance.
(8) Designate an individual who will act as liaison for CHAMPUS inquiries. The SUDRF shall inform OCHAMPUS in writing of the designated individual;
(9) Furnish OCHAMPUS, as requested by OCHAMPUS, with cost data certified by an independent accounting firm or other agency as authorized by the Director;
(10) Comply with all requirements of this section applicable to institutional providers generally concerning accreditation requirements, preauthorization, concurrent care review, claims processing, beneficiary liability, double coverage, utilization and quality review, and other matters;
(11) Grant the Director, or designee, the right to conduct quality assurance audits or accounting audits with full access to patients and records (including records relating to patients who are not CHAMPUS beneficiaries) to determine the quality and cost effectiveness of care
rendered. The audits may be conducted on a scheduled or unscheduled (unannounced) basis. This right to audit/review included, but is not limited to:
(i) Examination of fiscal and all other records of the center which would confirm compliance with the participation agreement and designation as an authorized TRICARE provider;
(ii) Conducting such audits of center records including clinical, financial, and census records, as may be necessary to determine the nature of the services being provided, and the basis for charges and claims against the United States for services provided CHAMPUS beneficiaries;
(iii) Examining reports of evaluations and inspection conducted by federal, state and local government, and private agencies and organizations;
(iv) Conducting on-site inspections of the facilities of the SUDRF and interviewing employees, members of the staff, contractors, board members, volunteers, and patients, as required.
(v) Audits conducted by the United States Government Accountability Office.
(C) Other requirements applicable to substance use disorder rehabilitation facilities.
(1) Even though a SUDRF may qualify as a TRICARE authorized provider and may have entered into a participation agreement with CHAMPUS, payment by CHAMPUS for particular services provided is contingent upon the SUDRF also meeting all conditions set forth in § 199.4.
(2) The center shall provide inpatient services to CHAMPUS beneficiaries in the same manner it provides services to all other patients. The center may not discriminate against CHAMPUS beneficiaries in any manner, including admission practices, placement in special or separate wings or rooms, or provisions of special or limited treatment.
(3) The substance use disorder facility shall assure that all certifications and information provided to the Director, incident to the process of obtaining and retaining authorized provider status, is accurate and that it has no material errors or omissions. In the case of any misrepresentations, whether by inaccurate information being provided or material facts withheld, authorized provider status will be denied or terminated, and the facility will be ineligible for consideration for authorized provider status for a two year period.
(xv) Home health agencies (HHAs). HHAs must be Medicare approved and meet all Medicare conditions of participation under sections 1861(o) and 1891 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(o) and 1395bbb) and 42 CFR part 484 in relation to TRICARE beneficiaries in order to receive payment under the TRICARE program. An HHA may be found to be out of compliance with a particular Medicare condition of participation and still participate in the TRICARE program as long as the HHA is allowed continued participation in Medicare while the condition of noncompliance is being corrected. An HHA is a public or private organization, or a subdivision of such an agency or organization, that meets the following requirements:
(A) Engaged in providing skilled nursing services and other therapeutic services, such as physical therapy, speech-language pathology services, or occupational therapy, medical services, and home health aide services.
(1) Makes available part-time or intermittent skilled nursing services and at least one other therapeutic service on a visiting basis in place of residence used as a patient’s home.
(2) Furnishes at least one of the qualifying services directly through agency employees, but may furnish the second qualifying service and additional services under arrangement with another HHA or organization.
(B) Policies established by a professional group associated with the agency or organization (including at least one physician and one registered nurse) to govern the services and provides for supervision of such services by a physician or a registered nurse.
(C) Maintains clinical records for all patients.
(D) Licensed in accordance with State and local law or is approved by the State or local licensing agency as meeting the licensing standards, where applicable.
(E) Enters into an agreement with TRICARE in order to participate and to be eligible for payment under the program. In this agreement the HHA and TRICARE agree that the HHA will:
(1) Not charge the beneficiary or any other person for items or services for which the beneficiary is entitled to have payment under the TRICARE HHA prospective payment system.
(2) Be allowed to charge the beneficiary for items or services requested by the beneficiary in addition to those that are covered under the TRICARE HHA prospective payment system.
(F) Abide by the following consolidated billing requirements:
(1) The HHA must submit all TRICARE claims for all home health services, excluding durable medical equipment (DME), while the beneficiary is under the home health plan without regard to whether or not the item or service was furnished by the HHA, by others under arrangement with the HHA, or under any other contracting or consulting arrangement.
(2) Separate payment will be made for DME items and services provided under the home health benefit which are under the DME fee schedule. DME is excluded from the consolidated billing requirements.
(3) Home health services included in consolidated billing are:
(i) Part-time or intermittent skilled nursing;
(ii) Part-time or intermittent home health aide services;
(iii) Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology;
(iv) Medical social services;
(v) Routine and non-routine medical supplies;
(vi) A covered osteoporosis drug (not paid under PPS rate) but excluding other drugs and biologicals;
(vii) Medical services provided by an intern or resident-in-training of a hospital, under an approved teaching program of the hospital in the case of an HHA that is affiliated or under common control of a hospital;
(viii) Services at hospitals, SNFs or rehabilitation centers when they involve equipment too cumbersome to bring home.
(G) Meet such other requirements as the Secretary of Health and Human Services and/or Secretary of Defense may find necessary in the interest of the health and safety of the individuals who are provided care and services by such agency or organization.
(xvi) Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). CAHs must meet all conditions of participation under 42 CFR 485.601 through 485.645 in relation to TRICARE beneficiaries in order to receive payment under the TRICARE program. If a CAH provides inpatient psychiatric services or inpatient rehabilitation services in a distinct part unit, the distinct part unit must meet the conditions of participation in 42 CFR 485.647, with the exception of being paid under the inpatient prospective payment system for psychiatric facilities as specified in 42 CFR 412.1(a)(2) or the inpatient prospective payment system for rehabilitation hospitals or rehabilitation units as specified in 42 CFR 412.1(a)(3). Upon implementation of TRICARE’s IRF PPS in § 199.14(a)(10), if a CAH provides inpatient rehabilitation services in a distinct part unit, the distinct part unit shall be paid under TRICARE’s IRF PPS.
(xvii) Sole community hospitals (SCHs). SCHs must meet all the criteria for classification as an SCH under 42 CFR 412.92, in order to be considered an SCH under the TRICARE program.
(xviii) Intensive outpatient programs. This paragraph (b)(4)(xviii) establishes standards and requirements for intensive outpatient treatment programs for psychiatric and substance use disorder.
(A) Organization and administration—(1) Definition. Intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) programs are defined in § 199.2. IOP services consist of a comprehensive and complimentary schedule of recognized treatment approaches that may include day, evening, night, and weekend services consisting of individual and group counseling or therapy, and family counseling or therapy as clinically indicated for children and adolescents, or adults aged 18 and over, and may include case management to link patients and their families with community based support systems.
(2) Eligibility. (i) In order to qualify as a TRICARE authorized provider, every intensive outpatient program must meet the minimum basic standards set forth in paragraphs (b)(4)(xviii)(A) through (C) of this section, as well as additional elaborative criteria and standards as the Director determines are necessary to implement the basic standards. Each intensive outpatient program must be either a distinct part of an otherwise-authorized institutional provider or a free-standing psychiatric or substance use disorder intensive outpatient program. Approval of a hospital by TRICARE is sufficient for its IOP to be an authorized TRICARE provider. Such hospital-based intensive outpatient programs are not required to be separately authorized by TRICARE.
(ii) To qualify as a TRICARE authorized provider, the IOP is required to be licensed and operate in substantial compliance with state and federal regulations.
(iii) The IOP is currently accredited by an accrediting organization approved by the Director. Each IOP authorized to treat substance use disorder must be accredited to provide the level of required treatment by an accreditation body approved by the Director.
(iv) The facility has a written participation agreement with TRICARE. The IOP is not considered a TRICARE authorized provider and TRICARE benefits are not paid for services provided until the date upon which a participation agreement is signed by the Director.
(B) Participation agreement requirements. In addition to other requirements set forth in paragraph (b)(4)(xii) of this section, in order for the services of an IOP to be authorized, the IOP shall have entered into a Participation Agreement with TRICARE. A single consolidated participation agreement is acceptable for all units of the TRICARE authorized facility granted that all programs meet the requirements of this part. The period of a Participation Agreement shall be specified in the agreement, and will generally be for not more than five years. In addition to review of a facility’s application and supporting documentation, an on-site inspection by DHA authorized personnel may be required prior to signing a participation agreement. The Participation Agreement shall include at least the following requirements:
(1) Render intensive outpatient program services to eligible TRICARE beneficiaries in need of such services, in accordance with the participation agreement and TRICARE regulation.
(2) Accept payment for its services based upon the methodology provided in § 199.14, or such other method as determined by the Director;
(3) Collect from the TRICARE beneficiary or the family of the TRICARE beneficiary only those amounts that represent the beneficiary’s liability, as defined in § 199.4, and charges for services and supplies that are not a benefit of TRICARE;
(4) Make all reasonable efforts acceptable to the Director to collect those amounts, which represent the beneficiary’s liability, as defined in § 199.4;
(5) Comply with the provisions of § 199.8, and submit claims first to all health insurance coverage to which the beneficiary is entitled that is primary to TRICARE;
(6) Submit claims for services provided to TRICARE beneficiaries at least every 30 days (except to the extent a delay is necessitated by efforts to first collect from other health insurance). If claims are not submitted at least every 30 days, the IOP agrees not to bill the beneficiary or the beneficiary’s family for any amounts disallowed by TRICARE;
(7) Free-standing intensive outpatient programs shall certify that:
(i) It is and will remain in compliance with the provisions of paragraph (b)(4)(xii) of this section establishing standards for psychiatric and SUD IOPs;
(ii) It has conducted a self-assessment of the facility’s compliance with the CHAMPUS Standards for Intensive Outpatient Programs, as issued by the Director, and notified the Director of any matter regarding which the facility is not in compliance with such standards; and
(iii) It will maintain compliance with the TRICARE standards for IOPs, as issued by the Director, except for any such standards regarding which the facility notifies the Director, or a designee that it is not in compliance.
(8) Designate an individual who will act as liaison for TRICARE inquiries. The IOP shall inform TRICARE, or a designee in writing of the designated individual;
(9) Furnish OCHAMPUS with cost data, as requested by OCHAMPUS, certified by an independent accounting firm or other agency as authorized by the Director.
(10) Comply with all requirements of this section applicable to institutional providers generally concerning accreditation requirements, preauthorization, concurrent care review, claims processing, beneficiary liability, double coverage, utilization and quality review, and other matters;
(11) Grant the Director, or designee, the right to conduct quality assurance audits or accounting audits with full access to patients and records (including records relating to patients who are not CHAMPUS beneficiaries) to determine the quality and cost effectiveness of care rendered. The audits may be conducted on a scheduled or unscheduled (unannounced) basis. This right to audit/review included, but is not limited to:
(i) Examination of fiscal and all other records of the center which would confirm compliance with the participation agreement and designation as an authorized TRICARE provider;
(ii) Conducting such audits of center records including clinical, financial, and census records, as may be necessary to determine the nature of the services being provided, and the basis for charges and claims against the United States for services provided CHAMPUS beneficiaries;
(iii) Examining reports of evaluations and inspection conducted by federal, state and local government, and private agencies and organizations;
(iv) Conducting on-site inspections of the facilities of the IOP and interviewing employees, members of the staff, contractors, board members, volunteers, and patients, as required.
(v) Audits conducted by the United States Government Accountability Office.
(C) Other requirements applicable to Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP). (1) Even though an IOP may qualify as a TRICARE authorized provider and may have entered into a participation agreement with CHAMPUS, payment by CHAMPUS for particular services provided is contingent upon the IOP also meeting all conditions set forth in § 199.4.
(2) The IOP may not discriminate against CHAMPUS beneficiaries in any manner, including admission practices, placement in special or separate wings or rooms, or provisions of special or limited treatment.
(3) The IOP shall assure that all certifications and information provided to the Director incident to the process of obtaining and retaining authorized provider status is accurate and that is has no material errors or omissions. In the case of any misrepresentations, whether by inaccurate information being provided or material facts withheld, authorized provider status will be denied or terminated, and the IOP will be ineligible for consideration for authorized provider status for a two year period.
(xix) Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs). This paragraph (b)(4)(xix) establishes standards and requirements for Opioid Treatment Programs.
(A) Organization and administration. (1) Definition. Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) are defined in § 199.2. Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) are organized, ambulatory, addiction treatment services for patients with an opioid use disorder. OTPs have the capacity to provide daily direct administration of medications without the prescribing of medications. Medication supplies for patients to take outside of OTPs originate from within OTPs. OTPs offer medication assisted treatment, patient-centered, recovery-oriented individualized treatment through addiction counseling, mental health therapy, case management, and health education.
(2) Eligibility. (i) Every free-standing Opioid Treatment Program must be accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by Director, under the current standards of an accrediting organization, as well as meet additional elaborative criteria and standards as the Director determines are necessary to implement the basic standards. OTPs adhere to requirements of the Department of Health and Human Services’ 42 CFR part 8, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, and the Drug Enforcement Agency. OTPs must be either a distinct part of an otherwise authorized institutional provider or a free-standing program. Approval of hospitals by TRICARE is sufficient for their OTPs to be authorized TRICARE providers. Such hospital-based OTPs, if certified under 42 CFR 8, are not required to be separately authorized by TRICARE.
(ii) To qualify as a TRICARE authorized provider, OTPs are required to be licensed and operate in substantial compliance with state and federal regulations.
(iii) OTPs have a written participation agreement with OCHAMPUS. OTPs are not considered a TRICARE authorized provider, and CHAMPUS benefits are not paid for services provided until the date upon which a participation agreement is signed by the Director.
(B) Participation agreement requirements. In addition to other requirements set forth in this paragraph (b)(4)(xix), in order for the services of OTPs to be authorized, OTPs shall have entered into a Participation Agreement with TRICARE. A single consolidated participation agreement is acceptable for all units of a TRICARE authorized facility. The period of a Participation Agreement shall be specified in the agreement, and will generally be for not more than five years. In addition to review of a facility’s application and supporting documentation, an on-site inspection by DHA authorized personnel may be required prior to signing a participation agreement. The Participation Agreement shall include at least the following requirements:
(1) Render services from OTPs to eligible TRICARE beneficiaries in need of such services, in accordance with the participation agreement and TRICARE regulation.
(2) Accept payment for its services based upon the methodology provided in § 199.14, or such other method as determined by the Director;
(3) Collect from the TRICARE beneficiary or the family of the TRICARE beneficiary only those amounts that represent the beneficiary’s liability, as defined in § 199.4, and charges for services and supplies that are not a benefit of TRICARE;
(4) Make all reasonable efforts acceptable to the Director to collect those amounts, which represent the beneficiary’s liability, as defined in § 199.4;
(5) Comply with the provisions of § 199.8, and submit claims first to all health insurance coverage to which the beneficiary is entitled that is primary to TRICARE;
(6) Submit claims for services provided to TRICARE beneficiaries at least every 30 days (except to the extent a delay is necessitated by efforts to first collect from other health insurance). If claims are not submitted at least every 30 days, OTPs agree not to bill the beneficiary or the beneficiary’s family for any amounts disallowed by TRICARE;
(7) Free-standing opioid treatment programs shall certify that:
(i) It is and will remain in compliance with the provisions of paragraph (b)(4)(xii) of this section establishing standards for opioid treatment programs;
(ii) It will maintain compliance with the TRICARE standards for OTPs, as issued by the Director, except for any such standards regarding which the facility notifies the Director, or a designee, that it is not in compliance.
(8) Designate an individual who will act as liaison for TRICARE inquiries. OTPs shall inform TRICARE, or a designee, in writing of the designated individual;
(9) Furnish TRICARE, or a designee, with cost data, as requested by TRICARE, certified by an independent accounting firm or other agency as authorized by the Director;
(10) Comply with all requirements of this section applicable to institutional providers generally concerning accreditation requirements, claims processing, beneficiary liability, double coverage, utilization and quality review, and other matters;
(11) Grant the Director, or designee, the right to conduct quality assurance audits or accounting audits with full access to patients and records (including records relating to patients who are not TRICARE beneficiaries) to determine the quality and cost effectiveness of care rendered. The audits may be conducted on a scheduled or unscheduled (unannounced) basis. This right to audit/review includes, but is not limited to:
(i) Examination of fiscal and all other records of OTPs which would confirm compliance with the participation agreement and designation as an authorized TRICARE provider;
(ii) Conducting such audits of OTPs’ records including clinical, financial, and census records, as may be necessary to determine the nature of the services being provided, and the basis for charges and claims against the United States for services provided TRICARE beneficiaries;
(iii) Examining reports of evaluations and inspections conducted by federal, state and local government, and private agencies and organizations.
(C) Other requirements applicable to OTPs. (1) Even though OTPs may qualify as a TRICARE authorized provider and may have entered into a participation agreement with CHAMPUS, payment by CHAMPUS for particular services provided is contingent upon OTPs also meeting all conditions set forth in § 199.4.
(2) OTPs may not discriminate against CHAMPUS beneficiaries in any manner, including admission practices or provisions of special or limited treatment.
(3) OTPs shall assure that all certifications and information provided to the Director incident to the process of obtaining and retaining authorized provider status is accurate and that is has no material errors or omissions. In the case of any misrepresentations, whether by inaccurate information being provided or material facts withheld, authorized provider status will be denied or terminated, and OTPs will be ineligible for consideration for authorized provider status for a two year period.
(xx) Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF). IRFs must meet all the criteria for classification as an IRF under 42 CFR part 412, subpart B, and meet all applicable requirements established in this part in order to be considered an authorized IRF under the TRICARE program.
(A) In order for the services of inpatient rehabilitation facilities to be covered, the facility must comply with the provisions outlined in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section. In addition, in order for services provided by these facilities to be covered by TRICARE, they must be primarily for the treatment of the presenting illness.
(B) Custodial or domiciliary care is not coverable under TRICARE, even if rendered in an otherwise authorized inpatient rehabilitation facility.
(C) The controlling factor in determining whether a beneficiary’s stay in an inpatient rehabilitation facility is coverable by TRICARE is the level of professional care, supervision, and skilled nursing care that the beneficiary requires, in addition to the diagnosis, type of condition, or degree of functional limitations. The type and level of medical services required or rendered is controlling for purposes of extending TRICARE benefits; not the type of provider or condition of the beneficiary.
(xxi) Freestanding End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) facilities. Freestanding ESRD facilities must be Medicare certified and meet all Medicare conditions for coverage as provided in 42 CFR part 494, and be classified as freestanding ESRD facilities by Medicare, in order to be approved as TRICARE-authorized institutional providers and receive payment under the TRICARE program. State licensing are not required in cases of a freestanding ESRD facility located in a State that does not license such facilities. Freestanding ESRD facilities are not hospital-affiliated nor hospital-based and are reimbursed based on the payment methodology established in § 199.14(c). Freestanding ESRD facilities render outpatient hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis services in the ESRD facility or in a patient’s home for the treatment of ESRD and acute kidney injury (AKI).
(c) Individual professional providers of care—(1) General—(i) Purpose. This individual professional provider class is established to accommodate individuals who are recognized by 10 U.S.C. 1079(a) as authorized to assess or diagnose illness, injury, or bodily malfunction as a prerequisite for CHAMPUS cost-share of otherwise allowable related preventive or treatment services or supplies, and to accommodate such other qualified individuals who the Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, may authorize to render otherwise allowable services essential to the efficient implementation of a plan-of-care established and managed by a 10 U.S.C. 1079(a) authorized professional.
(ii) Professional corporation affiliation or association membership permitted. Paragraph (c) of this section applies to those individual health care professionals who have formed a professional corporation or association pursuant to applicable state laws. Such a professional corporation or association may file claims on behalf of a CHAMPUS-authorized individual professional provider and be the payee for any payment resulting from such claims when the CHAMPUS-authorized individual certifies to the Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, in writing that the professional corporation or association is acting on the authorized individual’s behalf.
(iii) Scope of practice limitation. For CHAMPUS cost-sharing to be authorized, otherwise allowable services provided by a CHAMPUS-authorized individual professional provider shall be within the scope of the individual’s license as regulated by the applicable state practice act of the state where the individual rendered the service to the CHAMPUS beneficiary or shall be within the scope of the test which was the basis for the individual’s qualifying certification.
(iv) Employee status exclusion. An individual employed directly, or indirectly by contract, by an individual or entity to render professional services otherwise allowable by this part is excluded from provider status as established by this paragraph (c) for the duration of each employment.
(v) Training status exclusion. Individual health care professionals who are allowed to render health care services only under direct and ongoing supervision as training to be credited towards earning a clinical academic degree or other clinical credential required for the individual to practice independently are excluded from provider status as established by this paragraph (c) for the duration of such training.
(2) Conditions of authorization—(i) Professional license requirement. The individual must be currently licensed to render professional health care services in each state in which the individual renders services to CHAMPUS beneficiaries. Such license is required when a specific state provides, but does not require, license for a specific category of individual professional provider. The license must be at full clinical practice level to meet this requirement. A temporary license at the full clinical practice level is acceptable.
(ii) Professional certification requirement. When a state does not license a specific category of individual professional, certification by a Qualified Accreditation Organization, as defined in § 199.2, is required. Certification must be at full clinical practice level. A temporary certification at the full clinical practice level is acceptable.
(iii) Education, training and experience requirement. The Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, may establish for each category or type of provider allowed by this paragraph (c) specific education, training, and experience requirements as necessary to promote the delivery of services by fully qualified individuals.
(iv) Physician referral and supervision. When physician referral and supervision is a prerequisite for CHAMPUS cost-sharing of the services of a provider authorized under this paragraph (c), such referral and supervision means that the physicians must actually see the patient to evaluate and diagnose the condition to be treated prior to referring the beneficiary to another provider and that the referring physician provides ongoing oversight of the course of referral related treatment throughout the period during which the beneficiary is being treated in response to the referral. Written contemporaneous documentation of the referring physician’s basis for referral and ongoing communication between the referring and treating provider regarding the oversight of the treatment rendered as a result of the referral must meet all requirements for medical records established by this part. Referring physician supervision does not require physical location on the premises of the treating provider or at the site of treatment.
(v) Subject to section 1079(a) of title 10, U.S.C., chapter 55, a physician or other health care practitioner who is eligible to receive reimbursement for services provided under Medicare (as defined in section 1086(d)(3)(C) of title 10 U.S.C., chapter 55) shall be considered approved to provide medical care authorized under section 1079 and section 1086 of title 10, U.S.C., chapter 55 unless the administering Secretaries have information indicating Medicare, TRICARE, or other Federal health care program integrity violations by the physician or other health care practitioner. Approval is limited to those classes of provider currently considered TRICARE authorized providers as outlined in 32 CFR 199.6. Services and supplies rendered by those providers who are not currently considered authorized providers shall be denied.
(3) Types of providers. Subject to the standards of participation provisions of this part, the following individual professional providers of medical care are authorized to provide services to CHAMPUS beneficiaries:
(i) Physicians. (A) Doctors of Medicine (M.D.).
(B) Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.).
(ii) Dentists. Except for covered oral surgery as specified in § 199.4(e) of this part, all otherwise covered services rendered by dentists require preauthorization.
(A) Doctors of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.).
(B) Doctors of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.).
(iii) Other allied health professionals. The services of the following individual professional providers of care are coverable on a fee-for-service basis provided such services are otherwise authorized in this or other sections of this part.
(A) Clinical psychologist. For purposes of CHAMPUS, a clinical psychologist is an individual who is licensed or certified by the state for the independent practice of psychology and:
(1) Possesses a doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited university; and
(2) Has had 2 years of supervised clinical experience in psychological health services of which at least 1 year is post-doctoral and 1 year (may be the post-doctoral year) is in an organized psychological health service training program; or
(3) As an alternative to paragraphs (c)(3)(iii)(A)(1) and (2) of this section is listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.
(B) Doctors of Optometry.
(C) Doctors of Podiatric Medicine or Podiatrists.
(D) Certified nurse midwives.
(1) A certified nurse midwife may provide covered care independent of physician referral and supervision, provided the nurse midwife is:
(i) Licensed, when required, by the local licensing agency for the jurisdiction in which the care is provided; and
(ii) Certified by the American College of Nurse Midwives. To receive certification, a candidate must be a registered nurse who has completed successfully an educational program approved by the American College of Nurse Midwives, and passed the American College of Nurse Midwives National Certification Examination.
(2) The services of a registered nurse who is not a certified nurse midwife may be authorized only when the patient has been referred for care by a licensed physician and a licensed physician provides continuing supervision of the course of care. A lay midwife who is neither a certified nurse midwife nor a registered nurse is not a CHAMPUS-authorized provider, regardless of whether the services rendered may otherwise be covered.
(E) Certified nurse practitioner. Within the scope of applicable licensure or certification requirements, a certified nurse practitioner may provide covered care independent of physician referral and supervision, provided the nurse practitioner is:
(1) A licensed, registered nurse; and
(2) Specifically licensed or certified as a nurse practitioner by the state in which the care was provided, if the state offers such specific licensure or certification; or
(3) Certified as a nurse practitioner (certified nurse) by a professional organization offering certification in the specialty of practice, if the state does not offer specific licensure or certification for nurse practitioners.
(F) Certified Clinical Social Worker. A clinical social worker may provide covered services independent of physician referral and supervision, provided the clinical social worker:
(1) Is licensed or certified as a clinical social worker by the jurisdiction where practicing; or, if the jurisdiction does not provide for licensure or certification of clinical social workers, is certified by a national professional organization offering certification of clinical social workers; and
(2) Has at least a master’s degree in social work from a graduate school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; and
(3) Has had a minimum of 2 years or 3,000 hours of post-master’s degree supervised clinical social work practice under the supervision of a master’s level social worker in an appropriate clinical setting, as determined by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee.
Patients’ organic medical problems must receive appropriate concurrent management by a physician.
(G) Certified psychiatric nurse specialist. A certified psychiatric nurse specialist may provide covered care independent of physician referral and supervision. For purposes of CHAMPUS, a certified psychiatric nurse specialist is an individual who:
(1) Is a licensed, registered nurse; and
(2) Has at least a master’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution with a specialization in psychiatric and mental health nursing; and
(3) Has had at least 2 years of post-master’s degree practice in the field of psychiatric and mental health nursing, including an average of 8 hours of direct patient contact per week; or
(4) Is listed in a CHAMPUS-recognized, professionally sanctioned listing of clinical specialists in psychiatric and mental health nursing.
(H) Certified physician assistant. A physician assistant may provide care under general supervision of a physician (see § 199.14(j)(1)(ix) of this part for limitations on reimbursement). For purposes of CHAMPUS, a physician assistant must meet the applicable state requirements governing the qualifications of physician assistants and at least one of the following conditions:
(1) Is currently certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants to assist primary care physicians, or
(2) Has satisfactorily completed a program for preparing physician assistants that:
(i) Was at least 1 academic year in length;
(ii) Consisted of supervised clinical practice and at least 4 months (in the aggregate) of classroom instruction directed toward preparing students to deliver health care; and
(iii) Was accredited by the American Medical Association’s Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation; or
(3) Has satisfactorily completed a formal educational program for preparing program physician assistants that does not meet the requirement of paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(H)(2) of this section and had been assisting primary care physicians for a minimum of 12 months during the 18-month period immediately preceding January 1, 1987.
(I) Anesthesiologist Assistant. An anesthesiologist assistant may provide covered anesthesia services, if the anesthesiologist assistant:
(1) Works under the direct supervision of an anesthesiologist who bills for the services and for each patient;
(i) The anesthesiologist performs a pre-anesthetic examination and evaluation;
(ii) The anesthesiologist prescribes the anesthesia plan;
(iii) The anesthesiologist personally participates in the most demanding aspects of the anesthesia plan including, if applicable, induction and emergence;
(iv) The anesthesiologist ensures that any procedures in the anesthesia plan that he or she does not perform are performed by a qualified anesthesiologist assistant;
(v) The anesthesiologist monitors the course of anesthesia administration at frequent intervals;
(vi) The anesthesiologist remains physically present and available for immediate personal diagnosis and treatment of emergencies;
(vii) The anesthesiologist provides indicated post-anesthesia care; and
(viii) The anesthesiologist performs no other services while he or she supervises no more than four anesthesiologist assistants concurrently or a lesser number if so limited by the state in which the procedure is performed.
(2) Is in compliance with all applicable requirements of state law, including any licensure requirements the state imposes on nonphysician anesthetists; and
(3) Is a graduate of a Master’s level anesthesiologist assistant educational program that is established under the auspices of an accredited medical school and that:
(i) Is accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation, or its successor organization; and
(ii) Includes approximately two years of specialized basic science and clinical education in anesthesia at a level that builds on a premedical undergraduate science background.
(4) The Director, TMA, or a designee, shall issue TRICARE policies, instructions, procedures, guidelines, standards, and criteria as may be necessary to implement the intent of this section.
(J) Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). A certified registered nurse anesthetist may provide covered care independent of physician referral and supervision as specified by state licensure. For purposes of CHAMPUS, a certified registered nurse anesthetist is an individual who:
(1) Is a licensed, registered nurse; and
(2) Is certified by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists, or its successor organization.
(K) Other individual paramedical providers. (1) The services of the following individual professional providers of care to be considered for benefits on a fee-for-service basis may be provided only if the beneficiary is referred by a physician for the treatment of a medically diagnosed condition and a physician must also provide continuing and ongoing oversight and supervision of the program or episode of treatment provided by these individual paramedical providers.
(i) Licensed registered nurses.
(ii) Audiologists.
(2) The services of the following individual paramedical providers of care to be considered for benefits on a fee-for-service basis may be provided only if: The beneficiary is referred by a physician, certified physician assistant, certified nurse practitioner, or podiatrist; and a physician, certified physician assistant, certified nurse practitioner, or podiatrist must also provide continuing and ongoing oversight and supervision of the program or episode of treatment provided by these individual paramedical providers.
(i) Licensed registered physical therapist (PT), including a licensed or certified physical therapist assistant (PTA) performing under the supervision of a TRICARE-authorized PT. PTAs shall meet the qualifications specified by Medicare (42 CFR 484.115, or successor regulation) and the Director, DHA, shall issue policy adopting, to the extent practicable, Medicare’s requirements for PTA supervision.
(ii) Licensed registered occupational therapist (OT), including a licensed or certified occupational therapy assistant (OTA) performing under the supervision of a TRICARE authorized OT. OTAs shall meet the qualifications specified by Medicare (42 CFR 484.115, or successor regulation) and the Director, DHA, shall issue policy adopting, to the extent practicable, Medicare’s requirements for OTA supervision.
(3) Licensed registered speech therapists (speech pathologists). In order to be considered for benefits on a fee-for-service basis, the services of a licensed registered speech therapist as an individual paramedical provider of care may be provided only if: (1) The beneficiary is referred by a physician, a certified physician assistant, or a certified nurse practitioner; and (2) a physician, a certified physician assistant, or a certified nurse practitioner must also provide continuing and ongoing oversight and supervision of the program or episode of treatment provided by these individual paramedical providers.
(L) Nutritionist. The nutritionist must be licensed by the State in which the care is provided and must be under the supervision of a physician who is overseeing the episode of treatment or the covered program of services.
(M) Registered dietician. The dietician must be licensed by the State in which the care is provided and must be under the supervision of a physician who is overseeing the episode of treatment or the covered program of services.
(N) TRICARE certified mental health counselor. For the purposes of CHAMPUS, a TRICARE certified mental health counselor (TCMHC) must be licensed for independent practice in mental health counseling by the jurisdiction where practicing. In jurisdictions with two or more licenses allowing for differing scopes of independent practice, the licensed mental health counselor may only practice within the scope of the license he or she possesses. In addition, a TCMHC must meet the requirements of either paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(N)(1) or the requirements of paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(N)(2) of this section.
(1) The requirements of this paragraph are that the TCMHC:
(i) Must have passed the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) or its successor as determined by the Director, TMA; and
(ii) Must possess a master’s or higher-level degree from a mental health counseling program of education and training accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); and
(iii) Must have a minimum of two (2) years of post-master’s degree supervised mental health counseling practice which includes a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical practice and 100 hours of face-to-face supervision. Supervision must be provided by mental health counselors at the highest level of state licensure, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, certified clinical social workers, or certified psychiatric nurse specialists who are licensed for independent practice in the jurisdiction where practicing and who are practicing within the scope of their licenses. Supervised clinical practice must be received in a manner that is consistent with the guidelines regarding knowledge, skills, and practice standards for supervision of the American Mental Health Counselors Association; and
(iv) Is licensed or certified for independent practice in mental health counseling by the jurisdiction where practicing (see paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section for more specific information).
(2) The requirements of this paragraph are that the TCMHC, prior to January 1, 2017:
(i) Possess a master’s or higher-level degree from a mental health counseling program of education and training accredited by CACREP and must have passed the National Counselor Examination (NCE); or
(ii) Possess a master’s or higher-level degree from a mental health counseling program of education and training from either a CACREP or regionally accredited institution and have passed the NCMHCE; and
(iii) Must have a minimum of two (2) years of post-master’s degree supervised mental health counseling practice which includes a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical practice and 100 hours of face-to-face supervision. Supervision must be provided by mental health counselors at the highest level of state licensure, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, certified clinical social workers, or certified psychiatric nurse specialists who are licensed for independent practice in the jurisdiction where practicing and who are practicing within the scope of their licenses. Supervised clinical practice must be received in a manner that is consistent with the guidelines regarding knowledge, skills, and practice standards for supervision of the American Mental Health Counselors Association; and
(iv) Is licensed or certified for independent practice in mental health counseling by the jurisdiction where practicing (see paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section for more specific information).
(3) The Director, TRICARE Management Activity may amend or modify existing or specify additional certification requirements as needed to accommodate future practice and licensing standards and to ensure that all TCMHCs continue to meet educational, licensing, and clinical training requirements considered appropriate.
(iv) Extramedical individual providers. Extramedical individual providers are those who do counseling or nonmedical therapy and whose training and therapeutic concepts are outside the medical field. The services of extramedical individual professionals are coverable following the CHAMPUS determined allowable charge methodology provided such services are otherwise authorized in this or other sections of the regulation.
(A) Certified marriage and family therapists. For the purposes of CHAMPUS, a certified marriage and family therapist is an individual who meets the following requirements:
(1) Recognized graduate professional education with the minimum of an earned master’s degree from a regionally accredited educational institution in an appropriate behavioral science field, mental health discipline; and
(2) The following experience:
(i) Either 200 hours of approved supervision in the practice of marriage and family counseling, ordinarily to be completed in a 2- to 3-year period, of which at least 100 hours must be in individual supervision. This supervision will occur preferably with more than one supervisor and should include a continuous process of supervision with at least three cases; and
(ii) 1,000 hours of clinical experience in the practice of marriage and family counseling under approved supervision, involving at least 50 different cases; or
(iii) 150 hours of approved supervision in the practice of psychotherapy, ordinarily to be completed in a 2- to 3-year period, of which at least 50 hours must be individual supervision; plus at least 50 hours of approved individual supervision in the practice of marriage and family counseling, ordinarily to be completed within a period of not less than 1 nor more than 2 years; and
(iv) 750 hours of clinical experience in the practice of psychotherapy under approved supervision involving at least 30 cases; plus at least 250 hours of clinical practice in marriage and family counseling under approved supervision, involving at least 20 cases; and
(3) Is licensed or certified to practice as a marriage and family therapist by the jurisdiction where practicing (see paragraph (c)(3)(iv)(D) of this section for more specific information regarding licensure); and
(4) Agrees that a patients’ organic medical problems must receive appropriate concurrent management by a physician.
(5) Agrees to accept the CHAMPUS determined allowable charge as payment in full, except for applicable deductibles and cost-shares, and hold CHAMPUS beneficiaries harmless for noncovered care (i.e., may not bill a beneficiary for noncovered care, and may not balance bill a beneficiary for amounts above the allowable charge). The certified marriage and family therapist must enter into a participation agreement with the Office of CHAMPUS within which the certified marriage and family therapist agrees to all provisions specified above.
(6) As of the effective date of termination, the certified marriage and family therapist will no longer be recognized as an authorized provider under CHAMPUS. Subsequent to termination, the certified marriage and family therapist may only be reinstated as an authorized CHAMPUS extramedical provider by entering into a new participation agreement as a certified marriage and family therapist.
(B) Pastoral counselors. For the purposes of CHAMPUS, a pastoral counselor is an individual who meets the following requirements:
(1) Recognized graduate professional education with the minimum of an earned master’s degree from a regionally accredited educational institution in an appropriate behavioral science field, mental health discipline; and
(2) The following experience:
(i) Either 200 hours of approved supervision in the practice of pastoral counseling, ordinarily to be completed in a 2- to 3-year period, of which at least 100 hours must be in individual supervision. This supervision will occur preferably with more than one supervisor and should include a continuous process of supervision with at least three cases; and
(ii) 1,000 hours of clinical experience in the practice of pastoral counseling under approved supervision, involving at least 50 different cases; or
(iii) 150 hours of approved supervision in the practice of psychotherapy, ordinarily to be completed in a 2- to 3-year period, of which at least 50 hours must be individual supervision; plus at least 50 hours of approved individual supervision in the practice of pastoral counseling, ordinarily to be completed within a period of not less than 1 nor more than 2 years; and
(iv) 750 hours of clinical experience in the practice of psychotherapy under approved supervision involving at least 30 cases; plus at least 250 hours of clinical practice in pastoral counseling under approved supervision, involving at least 20 cases; and
(3) Is licensed or certified to practice as a pastoral counselor by the jurisdiction where practicing (see paragraph (c)(3)(iv)(D) of this section for more specific information regarding licensure); and
(4) The services of a pastoral counselor meeting the above requirements are coverable following the CHAMPUS determined allowable charge methodology, under the following specified conditions:
(i) The CHAMPUS beneficiary must be referred for therapy by a physician; and
(ii) A physician is providing ongoing oversight and supervision of the therapy being provided; and
(iii) The pastoral counselor must certify on each claim for reimbursement that a written communication has been made or will be made to the referring physician of the results of the treatment. Such communication will be made at the end of the treatment, or more frequently, as required by the referring physician (refer to § 199.7).
(5) Because of the similarity of the requirements for licensure, certification, experience, and education, a pastoral counselor may elect to be authorized under CHAMPUS as a certified marriage and family therapist, and as such, be subject to all previously defined criteria for the certified marriage and family therapist category, to include acceptance of the CHAMPUS determined allowable charge as payment in full, except for applicable deductibles and cost-shares (i.e., balance billing of a beneficiary above the allowable charge is prohibited; may not bill beneficiary for noncovered care). The pastoral counselor must also agree to enter into the same participation agreement as a certified marriage and family therapist with the Office of CHAMPUS within which the pastoral counselor agrees to all provisions including licensure, national association membership and conditions upon termination, outlined above for certified marriage and family therapist.
No dual status will be recognized by the Office of CHAMPUS. Pastoral counselors must elect to become one of the categories of extramedical CHAMPUS provides specified above. Once authorized as either a pastoral counselor, or a certified marriage and family therapist, claims review and reimbursement will be in accordance with the criteria established for the elected provider category.
(C) Supervised mental health counselor. For the purposes of TRICARE, a supervised mental health counselor is an individual who does not meet the requirements of a TRICARE certified mental health counselor in paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(N) of this section, but meets all of the following requirements and conditions of practice:
(1) Minimum of a master’s degree in mental health counseling or allied mental health field from a regionally accredited institution; and
(2) Two years of post-masters experience which includes 3,000 hours of clinical work and 100 hours of face-to-face supervision; and
(3) Is licensed or certified to practice as a mental health counselor by the jurisdiction where practicing (see paragraph (c)(3)(iv)(D) of this section for more specific information); and
(4) May only be reimbursed when:
(i) The TRICARE beneficiary is referred for therapy by a physician; and
(ii) A physician is providing ongoing oversight and supervision of the therapy being provided; and
(iii) The mental health counselor certifies on each claim for reimbursement that a written communication has been made or will be made to the referring physician of the results of the treatment. Such communication will be made at the end of the treatment, or more frequently, as required by the referring physician (refer to § 199.7).
(D) The following additional information applies to each of the above categories of extramedical individual providers:
(1) These providers must also be licensed or certified to practice as a certified marriage and family therapist, pastoral counselor or mental health counselor by the jurisdiction where practicing. In jurisdictions that do not provide for licensure or certification, the provider must be certified by or eligible for full clinical membership in the appropriate national professional association that sets standards for the specific profession.
(2) Grace period for therapists or counselors in states where licensure/certification is optional. CHAMPUS is providing a grace period for those therapists or counselors who did not obtain optional licensure/certification in their jurisdiction, not realizing it was a CHAMPUS requirement for authorization. The exemption by state law for pastoral counselors may have misled this group into thinking licensure was not required. The same situation may have occurred with the other therapist or counselor categories where licensure was either not mandated by the state or was provided under a more general category such as “professional counselors.” This grace period pertains only to the licensure/certification requirement, applies only to therapists or counselors who are already approved as of October 29, 1990, and only in those areas where the licensure/certification is optional. Any therapist or counselor who is not licensed/certified in the state in which he/she is practicing by August 1, 1991, will be terminated under the provisions of § 199.9. This grace period does not change any of the other existing requirements which remain in effect. During this grace period, membership or proof of eligibility for full clinical membership in a recognized professional association is required for those therapists or counselors who are not licensed or certified by the state. The following organizations are recognized for therapists or counselors at the level indicated: Full clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy; membership at the fellow or diplomate level of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors; and membership in the National Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors. Acceptable proof of eligibility for membership is a letter from the appropriate certifying organization. This opportunity for delayed certification/licensure is limited to the counselor or therapist category only as the language in all of the other provider categories has been consistent and unmodified from the time each of the other provider categories were added. The grace period does not apply in those states where licensure is mandatory.
(E) Christian Science practitioners and Christian Science nurses. CHAMPUS cost-shares the services of Christian Science practitioners and nurses. In order to bill as such, practitioners or nurses must be listed or be eligible for listing in the Christian Science Journal
(d) Other providers. Certain medical supplies and services of an ancillary or supplemental nature are coverable by CHAMPUS, subject to certain controls. This category of provider includes the following:
(1) Independent laboratory. Laboratory services of independent laboratories may be cost-shared if the laboratory is approved for participation under Medicare and certified by the Medicare Bureau, Health Care Financing Administration.
(2) Suppliers of portable x-ray services. Such suppliers must meet the conditions of coverage of the Medicare program, set forth in the Medicare regulations, or the Medicaid program in that state in which the covered service is provided.
(3) Pharmacies. Pharmacies must meet the applicable requirements of state law in the state in which the pharmacy is located. In addition to being subject to the policies and procedures for authorized providers established by this section, additional policies and procedures may be established for authorized pharmacies under § 199.21 of this part implementing the Pharmacy Benefits Program.
(4) Ambulance companies. Such companies must meet the requirements of state and local laws in the jurisdiction in which the ambulance firm is licensed.
(5) Medical equipment firms, medical supply firms, and Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetic, Orthotic, Supplies providers/suppliers. Any firm, supplier, or provider that is an authorized provider under Medicare or is otherwise designated an authorized provider by the Director, TRICARE Management Activity.
(6) Mammography suppliers. Mammography services may be cost-shared only if the supplier is certified by Medicare for participation as a mammography supplier, or is certified by the American College of Radiology as having met its mammography supplier standards.
(e) Extended Care Health Option Providers—(1) General. (i) Services and items cost-shared through § 199.5 must be rendered by a CHAMPUS-authorized provider.
(ii) A Program for Persons with Disabilities (PFPWD) provider with TRICARE-authorized status on the effective date for the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) Program shall be deemed to be a TRICARE-authorized provider until the expiration of all outstanding PFPWD benefit authorizations for services or items being rendered by the provider.
(2) ECHO provider categories—(i) ECHO inpatient care provider. A provider of residential institutional care, which is otherwise an ECHO benefit, shall be:
(A) A not-for-profit entity or a public facility; and
(B) Located within a state; and
(C) Be certified as eligible for Medicaid payment in accordance with a state plan for medical assistance under Title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid) as a Medicaid Nursing Facility, or Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded, or be a TRICARE-authorized institutional provider as defined in paragraph (b) of this section, or be approved by a state educational agency as a training institution.
(ii) ECHO outpatient care provider. A provider of ECHO outpatient, ambulatory, or in-home services shall be:
(A) A TRICARE-authorized provider of services as defined in this section; or
(B) An individual, corporation, foundation, or public entity that predominantly renders services of a type uniquely allowable as an ECHO benefit and not otherwise allowable as a benefit of § 199.4, that meets all applicable licensing or other regulatory requirements of the state, county, municipality, or other political jurisdiction in which the ECHO service is rendered, or in the absence of such licensing or regulatory requirements, as determined by the Director, TRICARE Management Activity or designee.
(iii) ECHO vendor. A provider of an allowable ECHO item, such as supplies or equipment, shall be deemed to be a TRICARE-authorized vendor for the provision of the specific item, supply or equipment when the vendor supplies such information as the Director, TRICARE Management Activity or designee determines necessary to adjudicate a specific claim.
(3) ECHO provider exclusion or suspension. A provider of ECHO services or items may be excluded or suspended for a pattern of discrimination on the basis of disability. Such exclusion or suspension shall be accomplished according to the provisions of § 199.9.
(f) Corporate services providers—(1) General. (i) This corporate services provider class is established to accommodate individuals who would meet the criteria for status as a CHAMPUS authorized individual professional provider as established by paragraph (c) of this section but for the fact that they are employed directly or contractually by a corporation or foundation that provides principally professional services which are within the scope of the CHAMPUS benefit. With authorization of freestanding end stage renal disease (ESRD) facilities as TRICARE institutional providers under paragraph (b)(4)(xxi) of this section, corporate service provider status will not be authorized for the provision of ESRD services.
(ii) Payment for otherwise allowable services may be made to a CHAMPUS-authorized corporate services provider subject to the applicable requirements, exclusions and limitations of this part.
(iii) The Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, may create discrete types within any allowable category of provider established by this paragraph (f) to improve the efficiency of CHAMPUS management.
(iv) The Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, may require, as a condition of authorization, that a specific category or type of provider established by this paragraph (f):
(A) Maintain certain accreditation in addition to or in lieu of the requirement of paragraph (f)(2)(v) of this section;
(B) Cooperate fully with a designated utilization and clinical quality management organization which has a contract with the Department of Defense for the geographic area in which the provider does business;
(C) Render services for which direct or indirect payment is expected to be made by CHAMPUS only after obtaining CHAMPUS written authorization; and
(D) Maintain Medicare approval for payment when the Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, determines that a category, or type, of provider established by this paragraph (f) is substantially comparable to a provider or supplier for which Medicare has regulatory conditions of participation or conditions of coverage.
(v) Otherwise allowable services may be rendered at the authorized corporate services provider’s place of business, or in the beneficiary’s home under such circumstances as the Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, determines to be necessary for the efficient delivery of such in-home services.
(vi) The Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, may limit the term of a participation agreement for any category or type of provider established by this paragraph (f).
(vii) Corporate services providers shall be assigned to only one of the following allowable categories based upon the predominate type of procedure rendered by the organization;
(A) Medical treatment procedures;
(B) Surgical treatment procedures;
(C) Maternity management procedures;
(D) Rehabilitation and/or habilitation procedures; or
(E) Diagnostic technical procedures.
(viii) The Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, shall determine the appropriate procedural category of a qualified organization and may change the category based upon the provider’s CHAMPUS claim characteristics. The category determination of the Director, OCHAMPUS, designee, is conclusive and may not be appealed.
(2) Conditions of authorization. An applicant must meet the following conditions to be eligible for authorization as a CHAMPUS corporate services provider:
(i) Be a corporation or a foundation, but not a professional corporation or professional association; and
(ii) Be institution-affiliated or freestanding as defined in § 199.2; and
(iii) Provide:
(A) Services and related supplies of a type rendered by CHAMPUS individual professional providers or diagnostic technical services and related supplies of a type which requires direct patient contact and a technologist who is licensed by the state in which the procedure is rendered or who is certified by a Qualified Accreditation Organization as defined in § 199.2; and
(B) A level of care which does not necessitate that the beneficiary be provided with on-site sleeping accommodations and food in conjunction with the delivery of services; and
(iv) Complies with all applicable organizational and individual licensing or certification requirements that are extant in the state, county, municipality, or other political jurisdiction in which the provider renders services; and
(v) Be approved for Medicare payment when determined to be substantially comparable under the provisions of paragraph (f)(1)(iv)(D) of this section or, when Medicare approved status is not required, be accredited by a qualified accreditation organization, as defined in § 199.2; and
(vi) Has entered into a participation agreement approved by the Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, which at least complies with the minimum participation agreement requirements of this section.
(3) Transfer of participation agreement. In order to provide continuity of care for beneficiaries when there is a change of provider ownership, the provider agreement is automatically assigned to the new owner, subject to all the terms and conditions under which the original agreement was made.
(i) The merger of the provider corporation or foundation into another corporation or foundation, or the consolidation of two or more corporations or foundations resulting in the creation of a new corporation or foundation, constitutes a change of ownership.
(ii) Transfer of corporate stock or the merger of another corporation or foundation into the provider corporation or foundation does not constitute change of ownership.
(iii) The surviving corporation or foundation shall notify the Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, in writing of the change of ownership promptly after the effective date of the transfer or change in ownership.
(4) Pricing and payment methodology: The pricing and payment of procedures rendered by a provider authorized under this paragraph (f) shall be limited to those methods for pricing and payment allowed by this part which the Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, determines contribute to the efficient management of CHAMPUS.
(5) Termination of participation agreement. A provider may terminate a participation agreement upon 45 days written notice to the Director, OCHAMPUS, or designee, and to the public.
§ 199.7 Claims submission, review, and payment.
(a) General. The Director, OCHAMPUS, or a designee, is responsible for ensuring that benefits under CHAMPUS are paid only to the extent described in this part. Before benefits can be paid, an appropriate claim must be submitted that includes sufficient information as to beneficiary identification, the medical services and supplies provided, and double coverage information, to permit proper, accurate, and timely adjudication of the claim b