Collection From Third Part Payers of Reasonable Charges for Health Care Services

Résumé

This final rule implements provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000, which amended the statutory obligation of the third payers to replace the "reasonable cost" basis of the Third Party Collection Program with a "reasonable charge" basis, and also authorized methods to be used for the computation of reasonable charges. DoD is adopting the "reasonable charge" basis and generally will use CHAMPUS payment rates as the reasonable charges under the Program. This rule also implements Section 732 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002. This section specifically addresses the charging of fees for care to civilians who are not covered beneficiaries.