2010-8161. Health Care Eligibility Under the Secretarial Designee Program and Related Special Authorities

AGENCY:

Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

This proposed action would establish policies and assign responsibilities for health care eligibility under the Secretarial Designee Program. It would also implement the requirement where the United States would receive reimbursement for inpatient health care provided in the United States to foreign military or diplomatic personnel or their dependents, except in certain cases covered by Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCAs) between the Department of Defense and a foreign country.

DATES:

Comments must be received by June 8, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by docket number and/or RIN number and title, by any of the following methods:

• Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: Federal Docket Management System Office, 1160 Defense Pentagon, OSD Mailroom 3C843, Washington, DC 20301-1160.

Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) for this Federal Register document. The general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the public is to make these submissions available for public viewing on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov as they are received without change, including any personal identifiers or contact information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Col Michael Skidmore, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866, “Regulatory Planning and Review”

It has been certified that 32 CFR part 108 does not:

(1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy; a section of the economy; productivity; competition; jobs; the environment; public health or safety; or State, local, or tribunal governments or communities;

(2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another Agency;

(3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs, or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or

(4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in this Executive Order.

Sec. 202, Public Law 104-4, “Unfunded Mandates Reform Act”

It has been certified that 32 CFR part 108 does not contain a Federal mandate that may result in the expenditure by State, local and tribunal governments, in aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year.

Public Law 96-354, “Regulatory Flexibility Act” (5 U.S.C. 601)

It has been certified that 32 CFR part 108 is not subject to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601) because it would not, if promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Public Law 96-511, “Paperwork Reduction Act” (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35)

It has been certified that 32 CFR part 108 does not impose reporting or recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Executive Order 13132, “Federalism”

It has been certified that 32 CFR part 108 does not have federalism implications, as set forth in Executive Order 13132. This rule does not have substantial direct effects on:

(1) The States;

(2) The relationship between the National Government and the States; or

(3) The distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of Government.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 108

• Diplomatic personnel
• Health care
• Military personnel

Accordingly, 32 CFR part 108 is proposed to be added to read as follows.

PART 108—HEALTH CARE ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE SECRETARIAL DESIGNEE PROGRAM AND RELATED SPECIAL AUTHORITIES

108.1

Purpose.

108.2

Applicability.

108.3

Definition.

108.4

Policy.

108.5

Eligible senior officials of the U.S. Government.

108.6

Responsibilities.

Authority: 10 U.S.C. 1074(c); 10 U.S.C. 2559.

§ 108.1

Purpose.

This part:

(a) Establishes policy and assigns responsibilities under 10 U.S.C. 1074(c) for health care eligibility under the Secretarial Designee Program.

(b) Implements the requirement of 10 U.S.C. 2559 that the United States receive reimbursement for inpatient health care provided in the United States to foreign military or diplomatic personnel or their dependents, except in certain cases covered by Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCAs) between the Department of Defense and a foreign country.

§ 108.2

Applicability.

This part:

(a) Applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities in the Department of Defense (hereafter referred to collectively as the “DoD Components”).

(b) Does not apply to health care services provided to coalition forces in operational settings, or to allied forces in overseas training exercises and similar activities. Also, does not apply to health care services provided to foreign nationals overseas under DoD Instruction 3000.05 ^[1] , DoD Instruction 2205.2 ^[2] , or DoD Instruction 2310.08E ^[3] .

§ 108.3

Definition.

Secretarial Designee Program. The program established under 10 U.S.C. 1074(c) to create by regulation an eligibility for health care services in military medical treatment facilities (MTFs) as well as dental treatment facilities for individuals who have no such eligibility under 10 U.S.C. chapter 55.

§ 108.4

Policy.

It is DoD policy that:

(a) General Policy. The use of regulatory authority to establish DoD health care eligibility for individuals without a specific statutory entitlement or eligibility shall be used very sparingly, and only when it serves a compelling DoD mission interest. When used, it shall be on a reimbursable basis, unless non-reimbursable care is authorized by this part or reimbursement is waived by the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel & Readiness) (USD(P&R)) or the Secretaries of the Military Departments when they are the approving authority.

(b) Foreign Military Personnel and Their Dependents—(1) MTF Care in the United States. Foreign military personnel in the United States under the sponsorship or invitation of the Department of Defense, and their dependents approved by the Department of Defense to accompany them, are eligible for space-available care as provided in DoD Instruction 1000.13.^[4] Consistent with 10 U.S.C. 2559, in cases in which reimbursement is required by DoDI 1000.13, a RHCA may provide a waiver of reimbursement for inpatient and/or outpatient care in the United States in a military medical treatment facility for military personnel from a foreign country and their dependents, if comparable care is made available to at least a comparable number of U.S. military personnel and their dependents in that foreign country. RHCAs may have durations of up to 4 years, provided that there is a revalidation every 2 years of continuing compliance with the requirements for comparable care and comparable numbers. A disparity of 25 percent or less in the number of foreign personnel and dependents above U.S. personnel and dependents shall be considered within the range of comparable numbers.

(2) Non-MTF Care in the United States. Foreign military personnel in the United States under the sponsorship or invitation of the Department of Defense, and their dependents approved by the Department of Defense to accompany them, are not eligible for DoD payment for outpatient or inpatient care received from non-DoD providers, except for such personnel covered by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) or the Partnership for Peace SOFA and authorized care under the TRICARE Standard program according to § 199.3 of this title, outpatient care may be provided as specified therein.

(c) Foreign Diplomatic or Other Senior Foreign Officials. Foreign diplomatic or other senior foreign officials and the dependents of such officials may be provided inpatient or outpatient services in MTFs only in compelling circumstances, including both medical circumstances and mission interests, and through case-by-case approval.

(1) In the United States, the approval authority is the USD(P&R). The authority to waive reimbursement for care provided in the United States, to the extent allowed by law, is the USD(P&R) or the Secretaries of the Military Departments when they are the approving authority.

(2) Requests from the State Department or other agency of the U.S. Government will be considered on a reimbursable basis.

(3) Under 10 U.S.C. 2559, reimbursement to the United States for care provided in the United States on an inpatient basis to foreign diplomatic personnel or their dependents is required.

(d) Other Foreign Nationals. Other foreign nationals (other than those described in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section) may be designated as eligible for space-available care in MTFs only in extraordinary circumstances.

(1) The authority to waive reimbursement for care provided in the United States, to the extent allowed by law, is the USD(P&R) or the Secretaries of the Military Departments when they are the approving authority. Waiver requests will only be considered based on a direct and compelling relationship to a priority DoD mission objective.

(2) Requests from the State Department or other agency of the U.S. Government will be considered on a reimbursable basis. Such requests must be supported by the U.S. Ambassador to the country involved and the Geographical Combatant Commander for that area of responsibility and must be premised on critically important interests of the United States.

(e) Invited Persons Accompanying the Overseas Force. The Secretaries of the Military Departments and the USD(P&R) may designate as eligible for space-available care from the Military Health System outside the United States those persons invited by the Department of Defense to accompany or visit the military force in overseas locations or invited to participate in DoD-sponsored morale, welfare, and recreation activities. This authority is limited to health care needs arising in the course of the invited activities. Separate approval is needed to continue health care initiated under this paragraph in MTFs in the United States.

(1) In the case of employees or affiliates of news organizations, all care provided under the authority of introductory paragraph (e) of this section is reimbursable. For other individuals designated as eligible under this paragraph (e), the designation may provide, to the extent allowed by law, for outpatient care on a non-reimbursable basis, and establish a case-by-case authority for waiver of reimbursement for inpatient care.

(2) This paragraph (e) does not apply to employees of the Executive Branch of the United States or personnel affiliated with contractors of the United States.

(f) U.S. Nationals Overseas. Health care for U.S. nationals overseas is not authorized, except as otherwise provided in this part.

(g) U.S. Government Civilian Employees and Contractor Personnel. (1) Civilian employees of the Department of Defense and other government agencies, and employees of DoD contractors, and the dependents of such personnel are eligible for MTF care to the extent provided in DoD Instruction 1000.13.

(2) Occupational health care services provided to DoD employees under 5 U.S.C. 7901, authorities cited in DoD Instruction 6055.1,^[5] or under other authorities except 10 U.S.C. 1074(c) are not affected by this part. The Secretaries of the Military Departments and the USD(P&R) may designate DoD civilian employees, applicants for employment, and personnel performing services for the Department of Defense under Federal contracts as eligible for occupational health care services required by the Department of Defense as a condition of employment or involvement in any particular assignment, duty, or undertaking.

(3) Any health care services provided by the Military Health System to employees of DoD non-appropriated fund instrumentalities shall be on a reimbursable basis.

(4) In the case of DoD civilian employees forward deployed in support of U.S. military personnel engaged in hostilities, eligibility for MTF care (in addition to all eligibility for programs administered by the Department of Labor Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP)) is as follows:

(i) Consistent with Policy Guidance for Provision of Medical Care to DoD civilian Employees Injured or Wounded While Forward Deployed in Support of Hostilities,^[6] DoD civilian employees who become ill, contract diseases, or are injured or wounded while so deployed are eligible for medical evacuation or health care treatment and services in MTFs at the same level and scope provided to military personnel, all on a non-reimbursable basis.

(ii) DoD civilian employees who, subsequent to such deployment, identify OWCP-compensable conditions are eligible for MTF care for such conditions, all on a non-reimbursable basis.

(iii) USD(P&R) may, under compelling circumstances, approve additional eligibility for care in MTFs for other U.S. Government civilian employees who become ill or injured while so deployed, or other DoD civilian employees overseas.

(5) Contractor Personnel Authorized to Accompany U.S. Armed Forces. In the case of contractor personnel authorized to accompany U.S. Armed Forces in deployed settings under DoD Instruction 3020.41^[7] , MTF care may be provided as stated in DoD Instruction 3020.41.

(h) Health Care. The Secretaries of the Military Departments and the USD(P&R) may designate emergency patients as eligible for emergency health care from MTFs in the United States emergency patients pursuant to arrangements with local health authorities or in other appropriate circumstances. Such care shall be on a reimbursable basis, unless waived by the USD(P&R) or the Secretaries of the Military Departments when they are the approving authority.

(i) Research Subject Volunteers. Research subjects are eligible for health care services from MTFs to the extent DoD Components are required by DoD Directive 3216.02 ^[8] to establish procedures to protect subjects from medical expenses that are a direct result of participation in the research. Such care is on a non-reimbursable basis and limited to research injuries (unless the volunteer is otherwise an eligible health care beneficiary).

(j) Continuity of Care Extensions of Eligibility. The Secretaries of the Military Departments and the USD(P&R) may establish temporary eligibility on a space-available basis for former members and former dependents of members of the seven Uniformed Services for a limited period of time, not to exceed 6 months, or in the case of pregnancy, the completion of the pregnancy, after statutory eligibility expires when appropriate to allow completion or appropriate transition of a course of treatment begun prior to such expiration. In the case of a pregnancy covered by this paragraph, the designation of eligibility may include initial health care for the newborn infant. Care under this paragraph is authorized on a non-reimbursable basis.

(k) Members of the Armed Forces. The Secretaries of the Military Departments and the USD(P&R) may establish eligibility not specifically provided by statute for critical mission-related health care services for designated members of the Armed Forces, such as Reserve Component members not in a present duty status. This authority includes payment for health care services in private facilities to the extent authorized by 10 U.S.C. 1074(c). Care under this paragraph is non-reimbursable.

(l) Certain Senior Officials of the U.S. Government. The officials and others listed in § 108.5 part are designated as eligible for space-available inpatient and outpatient health care services from the Military Health System on a reimbursable basis.

(m) Nonmedical Attendants. The Secretaries of the Military Departments and the USD(P&R) may designate as eligible for space available MTF care persons designated as nonmedical attendants as defined by 37 U.S.C. 411k(b). Costs of medical care rendered are reimbursable unless reimbursement is waived by the Secretary of the Military Department concerned or USD(P&R). This authority is limited to health care needs arising while designated as a nonmedical attendant.

(n) Patient Movement. Provisions of this part concerning inpatient care shall also apply to requests for patient movement through the medical evacuation system under DoD Instruction 6000.11.^[9] Aeromedical evacuation transportation assets are reserved for those individuals designated as Secretarial Designees who need transportation to attain necessary health care.

(o) Other Individuals Entitled to DoD Identification (ID) Card. Other individuals entitled to a DoD ID card under DoD Instruction 1000.13 are eligible for space-available MTF health care to the extent provided in DoD Instruction 1000.13.

(p) Reciprocity among Military Departments. Subject to the capabilities of the professional staff, the availability of space and facilities, and any other limitation imposed by the approving authority, all Services will provide medical treatment to individuals that have been granted Secretarial designee status by any of the Secretaries of the Military Departments. Each agreement must identify the specific MTF or geographical region in which medical care is requested, requiring close coordination among service program managers. Secretarial designee status may have durations of up to two years.

§ 108.5

Eligible senior officials of the U.S. Government.

(a) The following individuals are Secretarial Designees for space-available care in MTFs on a reimbursable basis:

(1) The President and the Vice President.

(2) Members of Congress.

(3) Members of the Cabinet.

(4) Officials of the Department of Defense appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

(5) Article III Federal Judges. (Article III courts are: The Supreme Court of the United States, U.S. Courts of Appeal, U.S. District Courts, U.S. Court of International Trade, United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review.)

(6) Judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

(7) Assistants to the President.

(8) Director of the White House Military Office.

(9) Former Presidents of the United States and their spouses, widows, and minor children.

(b) [Reserved]

§ 108.6

Responsibilities.

(a) The USD(P&R) shall evaluate requests for and where appropriate, grant exceptions to policy established by this part and DoDD 5124.02,^[10] including waiver of reimbursement, to the extent allowed by law.

(b) The USD(P)) shall evaluate requests and determine DoD mission interest for Secretarial Designee Status and RHCAs to identify those agreements that would be in the best interest of the Department of Defense and approve negotiations of RHCAs by the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) (ASD(HA)).

(c) The USD(C)) shall, in coordination with ASD(HA), establish appropriate reimbursement rates, including appropriate interagency rates and rates applicable to students in International Military Education and Training programs.

(d) The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics shall evaluate requests for Exception to the Transportation Policy. The authority to grant such a exception is by USD(P&R) or the Secretary of the Military Department concerned.

(e) The ASD(HA), under the authority, direction, and control of the USD(P&R), shall, following approval of the USD(P) and USD (P&R) and in coordination with USD(P) and the GC, DoD, and in accordance with DoD Directive 5530.3,^[11] begin negotiations, negotiate, and have the authority to sign RHCAs.

(f) The Secretaries of the Military Departments shall:

(1) Issue, revise, or modify as appropriate, regulations to comply with this part.

(2) Appoint a Military Department representative who will administer the Secretarial Designee Program within the Military Department and coordinate with other DoD Components in its effective operation.

(3) Where and when appropriate, the Military Department concerned shall coordinate with U.S. Transportation Command/Global Patient Movement Requirements Center.

(4) Provide written quarterly reports to the USD(P&R) and USD(C) reflecting the number of individuals designated as Secretarial Designees within their Military Departments, the reasons for such designation, the expected duration of such designation, the costs and sources of funding authorizing the support of such designee status for each designee.

(5) Create a Patient Category code to identify Secretarial Designees treated at MTFs.

(6) Provide an annual consolidated list reflecting the number of Secretarial Designees within their departments, reasons for such designation, location where designee is receiving treatment, the costs and sources of funding, nature and duration of treatment and expiration date of designee status to USD(P&R), USD(C), and ASD(HA).

(i) In cases where the USD(P&R) designates an individual as a Secretarial Designee, the Military Department concerned shall include this individual on any lists provided to USD(P&R) and USD(C) for reporting purposes.

(ii) Annually consolidate Secretarial Designee patient costs and forward those data to ASD(HA) and USD(C), along with a report of collection for reimbursable costs.

(g) The Commanders of the Geographic Combatant Commands (GCCs) shall:

(1) Refer requests to waive reimbursement through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the USD(P&R).

(2) Refer requests for Secretarial Designee status for medical care in the United States through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to USD(P&R).

(3) Through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, provide written quarterly reports to the USD(P&R) and USD(C) reflecting the number of individuals designated as Secretarial Designees within their geographic area of responsibility, the reasons for such designation, the expected duration of such designation, the costs and sources of funding authorizing the support of such designee status for each designee.

(4) Use existing approved Patient Category code(s) to identify Secretarial Designees treated at MTFs within their geographic area of responsibility.

(5) Provide for an accounting and collection system for reimbursement of medical costs within their geographic area of responsibility.

(6) Provide an annual consolidated list reflecting the number of Secretarial Designees within their respective geographic areas of responsibility, reasons for such designation, location where designee is receiving treatment, nature and duration of treatment, and expiration date of designee status through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to USD(P&R), USD(C), and ASD(HA).

(h) Commander, United States Transportation Command shall:

(1) Coordinate patient movement with all concerned Military Departments.

(2) Upon request of the Military Department concerned or Commanders of the GCCs, determine availability of DoD transportation assets, or when cost effective, coordinate with civilian ambulance authorities, to effect transportation of Secretarial Designee as appropriate.

(3) Ensure the Global Patient Movement Requirements Center, as the regulating agency, will consistently serve as the single point of contact for patient movement for Secretarial Designee patients using DoD assets upon request.

(4) Annually consolidate Secretarial Designee patient listing who utilized the DoD patient movement system and forward to ASD(HA) and USD(C).

Dated: April 6, 2010.

Mitchell S. Bryman,

Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.

Footnotes

1.  Copies available on the Internet at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​pdf/​300005p.pdf.

2.  Copies available on the Internet at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​pdf/​220502p.pdf.

3.  Copies available on the Internet at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​html/​231008.htm.

4.  Copies available on the Internet at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​pdf/​100013p.pdf.

5.  Copies available on the Internet at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​pdf/​605501p.pdf.

6.  Copies available at OASD (Health Affairs/TMA FHP&RP), 1200 Defense Pentagon, Room 3E1073, Washington, DC 20301-1200.

7.  Copies available on the Internet at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​pdf/​302041p.pdf.

8.  Copies available on the Internet at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​pdf/​321602p.pdf.

9.  Copies available on the Internet at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​pdf/​600011p.pdf.

10.  Copies available on the Internet at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​pdf/​512402p.pdf.

11.  Copies available on the Internet at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​html/​553003.htm.