Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS)/TRICARE; partial implementation of Pharmacy Benefits Program; implementation of National Defense Authorization Act Medical Benefits for fiscal year 2001. Office of the Secretary, DoD. Interim final rule.

This interim final rule implements several sections of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001. The rule allows coverage of physical examinations for beneficiaries ages 5 through 11 that are required in connection with school enrollment; provides an additional two-year period for survivors of deceased active-duty members to remain eligible for TRICARE medical and dental benefits at active-duty dependent rates; extends eligibility for medical and dental benefits to Medal of Honor recipients and their immediate dependents in the same manner as if the recipient were entitled to retired pay; partially implements the Pharmacy Benefits Program establishing revised copays and cost-shares for the prescription drug benefit; implements the TRICARE Senior Pharmacy Program by establishing a new eligibility for prescription drug benefits for Medicare-eligible retirees; allows a waiver of copayments, cost-shares, and deductibles for all Uniformed Services TRICARE eligible active duty family members residing with their TRICARE Prime Remote eligible Active Duty Service Member Sponsor within a TRICARE Prime Remote designated area until implementation of the TRICARE Prime Remote for Family Member Program or October 30, 2001, whichever is later; provides for the elimination of TRICARE Prime copayments for active duty family members enrolled in TRICARE Prime; provides for the reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses for TRICARE Prime beneficiaries referred by a primary care provider to a specialty care provider who provides services over 100 miles away; and reduces the maximum amount which retirees, their family members and survivors would be liable from $7,500 to $3,000. The Department is publishing this rule as an interim final rule in order to meet statutorily required effective dates. Public comments, however, are invited and will be considered as to possible revisions to this rule.