Military Health Care Initiatives Act of 1992

Summary

Military Health Care Initiatives Act of 1992 - Title VII: Health Care Provisions - Authorizes a chiropractor who is qualified under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the military department concerned to be appointed as a regular commissioned officer in the Army Medical Service Corps, the Navy Medical Corps, or in the Air Force for designation as a chiropractic officer. Revises the dependents' dental program under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) by: (1) repealing the authority for the provision of a supplemental dental benefits plan for spouses and children of active-duty personnel; (2) increasing to up to $20 monthly (currently $10) the member premium for such coverage; (3) expanding such coverage to include orthodontic services, crowns, gold fillings, bridges, and complete or partial dentures; (4) requiring a percentage payment as determined appropriate by the Secretary for the services provided under such expanded coverage; and (5) directing the Secretary to devise and implement a program for the improvement of the provision of dental benefits to such members' dependents. Expresses the sense of the Congress that members of the armed forces, and their dependents and survivors, should have access to health care under the health care delivery system of the armed forces regardless of age or health care status. Outlines specified action to be taken under a comprehensive managed health care plan for such individuals by the Secretaries of Defense, Health and Human Services, and Transportation. Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a joint services working group on the provision of military health care to persons who rely for health care on health care facilities at military installations being closed or realigned. Requires the working group to solicit views from those affected by such closures or realignments regarding suitable substitutes for such care. Requires the working group to recommend to the Congress and the Secretary alternative means of providing accessible health care to such individuals. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program that permits eligible individuals to obtain prescription pharmaceuticals by mail in connection with medical care furnished to such persons under CHAMPUS; and (2) conduct the program in two or more regions, each region consisting of two or more States. Defines as persons eligible for such program any person entitled to medical care under a CHAMPUS contract, or a person over 65 years of age and living in an area affected by the closure of a health care facility as a result of the closure or realignment of a military installation at which the facility is located. Requires: (1) a fee to be charged individuals for the pharmaceuticals; and (2) a report. Directs the Secretaries of Defense, Health and Human Services, and Transportation to conduct annually a formal survey of CHAMPUS beneficiaries with regard to the availability of, familiarity with, and effectiveness of, such health care system. Reduces from $10,000 to $7,500 the maximum yearly cost of CHAMPUS health care required to be paid by a former member of the armed forces or an individual or family of two or more persons, effective as of FY 1993. Includes certain renal disease patients under Medicare coverage under an exception authorizing the continuation of concurrent CHAMPUS coverage for such patients. Applies such concurrent coverage with respect to health care benefits or services received after FY 1991 if such benefits would have been covered under a plan contracted for under CHAMPUS. Allows home health services and other services in connection with extraordinary physical or psychological conditions to be provided through CHAMPUS only through a program of individualized case management established by the Secretary and in a manner determined to be cost-effective and appropriate. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to jointly conduct a demonstration project that provides for the Secretary of HHS to reimburse the Department of Defense (DOD) for health care services furnished to Medicare-eligible persons at a DOD health care facility. Requires amounts reimbursed to be used at that facility for the furnishing and expansion of health care services. Requires a report. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of the feasibility and advisability of entering into risk-sharing contracts with health care organizations to furnish health care services to person entitled to such care in a military health care facility; (2) if determined feasible, develop a plan for entering into such contracts; and (3) report study results to the Congress. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 to direct the Secretary to undertake a comprehensive review of the Federal employees health benefits program in order to determine whether furnishing health care under a similar program to CHAMPUS-eligible persons would be more efficient and cost-effective. Directs the Secretary to provide by contract for the operation of a health claims processing center to be known as the National Centralized Claims Processing System for CHAMPUS (Center). Requires: (1) the Center to commence operations within five years after enactment of this Act; and (2) competitive procedures for entering into such a contract. Outlines Center information collection, storage, and processing activities. Requires claims submitted to conform to requirements applicable to claims submitted under part A of Medicare. Requires the Secretary to determine whether the use of a standard identification card containing electronically readable information will enhance the capabilities of the Center. Directs the Secretary, during FY 1993 through 1996, to continue to test a broad array of reform options for furnishing health care to eligible persons under the CHAMPUS health care reform initiative. Directs the Secretary to ensure that a replacement or successor contract for the CHAMPUS Reform Initiative contract applicable for California and Hawaii is awarded in time to begin provision of health care there under the new contract by August 1, 1993. Directs the Secretary to provide by contract for a person outside the Government to perform an evaluation of the conduct of the CHAMPUS Reform Initiative in California and Hawaii, and to report evaluation results to the Secretary and the Congress. Directs the Secretary to modify the Policy Guidelines on the Department of Defense Coordinated Care Program to provide covered beneficiaries with additional positive incentives to enroll in the DOD coordinated care program. Directs the Secretary, as part of such incentive review, to consider the extent to which covered beneficiaries not enrolled in the program are permitted to choose health care providers without prior referral or approval. Prohibits the Secretary from denying access to military treatment facilities to those not enrolled in the program, while allowing the Secretary to establish reasonable admission preferences for those enrolled in the program as an incentive to encourage enrollment. Excludes certain unmarried incapacitated legitimate children of members or former members of the armed forces from CHAMPUS coverage. Entitles a member of the armed forces who is on duty at a station outside the United States (and any accompanying dependent) to the provision of any reproductive health service in a military medical facility outside of the United States serving that duty station in the same manner as any other type of medical care. Requires the member to pay the full cost of receiving such care.

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Documents

5 official files

• Placed on Calendar Senate (text)

  Placed on Calendar Senate · EN

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• Engrossed in Senate (text)

  Engrossed in Senate · EN

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• Enrolled Bill (text)

  Enrolled Bill · EN

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• Passed Senate amended

  summary · EN · 19 September 1992

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 6 August 1992

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