97-163. Collection From Third Party Payers of Reasonable Costs of Healthcare Services

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 941]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-163]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

32 CFR Part 220


Collection From Third Party Payers of Reasonable Costs of 
Healthcare Services

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DoD.

ACTION: Final rule; amendment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Defense published a final rule concerning 
Collection From Third Party Payers of Reasonable Costs of Healthcare 
Services. This part is published to suspend the effectiveness of 32 CFR 
220.8(k)(2). The effective date initially established for this change 
was June 1, 1996. Due to unanticipated administrative requirements that 
extended the timeframe for implementation, this effective date is now 
suspended until April 1, 1997.

DATES: Effective January 7, 1997, section 220.8(k)(2), as published at 
61 FR 6542, February 21, 1996, is suspended until April 1, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LCDR Patrick Kelly, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The amendment published on February 21, 
1996, was not self-implementing. Rather, implementation required a 
change in billing practices by military treatment facilities and 
TRICARE resource sharing providers. Due to unanticipated administrative 
requirements that extended the timeframe for implementation, the 
changes in billing practices were suspended briefly. In view of these 
circumstances, the solicitation of additional public comment prior to 
establishing a deferred effective date is unnecessary.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 220

    Claims, Health care, Health insurance.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, 32 CFR part 220 is amended 
as follows:

PART 220--COLLECTION FROM THIRD PARTY PAYERS OF REASONABLE COSTS OF 
HEALTHCARE SERVICES

    1. The authority citation for 32 CFR Part 220 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301, 10 U.S.C. 1095.

    2. The last sentence of paragraph 220.8(k)(2) is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 220.8  Reasonable costs.

* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (2) * * * This paragraph (k)(2) becomes effective April 1, 1997.
* * * * *
    Dated: December 31, 1996.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 97-163 Filed 1-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5000-04-M