Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS); TRICARE Family Member Dental Plan

Resumo

This proposed rule revises the comprehensive CHAMPUS regulation pertaining to the Expanded Active Duty Dependents Benefit Plan. The new plan, and this proposed rule: places the responsibility for TRICARE Family Member Dental Plan (TFMDP) enrollment and a large portion of the appeals program on the dental plan contractor; allows the dental plan contractor to bill eligible dependents for plan premiums in certain circumstances; reduces the enrollment period from 24 to 12 months; excludes Reserve component members ordered to active duty in support of a contingency operation from the mandatory 12 month enrollment; simplifies enrollment types and exceptions; reduces cost- shares for certain enlisted grades; adds anesthesia as a covered benefit; incorporates legislative authority for calculating the method by which premiums may be raised and allowing premium reductions for certain enlisted grades; and reduces administrative burden by reducing redundant language, referencing language appearing in other CFR sections and removing language more appropriate to the actual contract. These improvements will provide Uniformed Service families with numerous quality of life benefits that will improv