Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 117.djvu/1553

 117 STAT. 1534

PUBLIC LAW 108–136—NOV. 24, 2003 (vi) An assessment of the adequacy of information available to TRICARE Standard beneficiaries to facilitate access by such beneficiaries to health care under TRICARE Standard. (vii) Any need for adjustment of health care provider payment rates to attract participation in TRICARE Standard by appropriate numbers of health care providers. (d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: (1) The term ‘‘TRICARE Standard’’ means the option of the TRICARE program that is also known as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services, as defined in section 1072(4) of title 10, United States Code. (2) The term ‘‘United States’’ means the United States (as defined in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code), its possessions (as defined in such section), and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

10 USC 1079 note.

SEC. 724. PLAN FOR PROVIDING HEALTH COVERAGE INFORMATION TO MEMBERS, FORMER MEMBERS, AND DEPENDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR CERTAIN HEALTH BENEFITS.

(a) HEALTH INFORMATION PLAN REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense shall develop a plan to— (1) ensure that each household that includes one or more eligible persons is provided information concerning— (A) the extent of health coverage provided by sections 1079 or 1086 of title 10, United States Code, for each such person; (B) the costs, including the limits on such costs, that each such person is required to pay for such health coverage; (C) sources of information for locating TRICAREauthorized providers in the household’s locality; and (D) methods to obtain assistance in resolving difficulties encountered with billing, payments, eligibility, locating TRICARE-authorized providers, collection actions, and such other issues as the Secretary considers appropriate; (2) provide mechanisms to ensure that each eligible person has access to information identifying TRICARE-authorized providers in the person’s locality who have agreed to accept new patients under section 1079 or 1086 of title 10, United States Code, and to ensure that such information is periodically updated; (3) provide mechanisms to ensure that each eligible person who requests assistance in locating a TRICARE-authorized provider is provided such assistance; (4) provide information and recruitment materials and programs aimed at attracting participation of health care providers as necessary to meet health care access requirements for all eligible persons; and (5) provide mechanisms to allow for the periodic identification by the Department of Defense of the number and locality of eligible persons who may intend to rely on TRICARE-authorized providers for health care services. (b) IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN.—The Secretary of Defense shall implement the plan required by subsection (a) with respect to any contract entered into by the Department of Defense after May 31, 2003, for managed health care. (c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:

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