Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 119.djvu/3375

 PUBLIC LAW 109–163—JAN. 6, 2006

119 STAT. 3357

SEC. 738. REPORT ON RESERVE DENTAL INSURANCE PROGRAM.

(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a study of the Reserve dental insurance program. (b) ELEMENTS.—The study required by subsection (a) shall— (1) identify the most effective mechanism or mechanisms for the payment of premiums under the Reserve dental insurance program for members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces and their dependents, including by deduction from reserve pay, by direct collection, or by other means (including appropriate mechanisms from other military benefits programs), to ensure uninterrupted availability of premium payments regardless of whether members are performing active duty with pay or inactive-duty training with pay; (2) include such matters relating to the Reserve dental insurance program as the Secretary considers appropriate; and (3) assess the effectiveness of mechanisms for informing the members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces of the availability of, and benefits under, the Reserve dental insurance program. (c) REPORT.—Not later than February 1, 2007, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the study required by subsection (a). The report shall include the findings of the study and such recommendations for legislative or administrative action regarding the Reserve dental insurance program as the Secretary considers appropriate in light of the study. (d) RESERVE DENTAL INSURANCE PROGRAM DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘Reserve dental insurance program’’ includes— (1) the dental insurance plan required under paragraph (1) of section 1076a(a) of title 10, United States Code; and (2) any dental insurance plan established under paragraph (2) or (4) of section 1076a(a) of title 10, United States Code. SEC. 739. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT STUDY ON MEDICARE ADVANTAGE REGIONAL PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION OPTION FOR TRICARE-MEDICARE DUAL-ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES.

(a) STUDY ON DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.— (1) REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a study to evaluate the feasibility and cost effectiveness of conducting a demonstration project under section 1092 of title 10, United States Code, to implement the provisions of section 1097(d) of such title. The purpose of such a demonstration project would be to evaluate whether applying the managed care methods under the Medicare Advantage program under part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act would improve the quality of care, realize cost savings to the Department of Defense, and improve beneficiary satisfaction for Department of Defense beneficiaries who also are entitled to health care under medicare. (2) ELEMENTS OF STUDY.—The study required by paragraph (1) shall include an analysis of the following: (A) The impact of the Medicare Advantage Regional Preferred Provider Organization model on medical utilization, pharmacy usage, and Department of Defense health care costs. (B) The full costs of the demonstration project.

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