§ 1073. Administration of this chapter

§ 1073. Administration of this chapter

(a) Responsible Officials.—

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the Secretary of Defense shall administer this chapter for the armed forces under his jurisdiction, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall administer this chapter for the Coast Guard when the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Navy, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall administer this chapter for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Public Health Service. This chapter shall be administered consistent with the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 (42 U.S.C. 14401 et seq.).

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the Secretary of Defense shall have responsibility for administering the TRICARE program and making any decision affecting such program.

(b) Stability in Program of Benefits.— The Secretary of Defense shall, to the maximum extent practicable, provide a stable program of benefits under this chapter throughout each fiscal year. To achieve the stability in the case of managed care support contracts entered into under this chapter, the contracts shall be administered so as to implement all changes in benefits and administration on a quarterly basis. However, the Secretary of Defense may implement any such change prior to the next fiscal quarter if the Secretary determines that the change would significantly improve the provision of care to eligible beneficiaries under this chapter.

(Added Pub. L. 85–861, § 1(25)(B), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1446; amended Pub. L. 89–614, § 2(1), Sept. 30, 1966, 80 Stat. 862; Pub. L. 89–718, § 8(a), Nov. 2, 1966, 80 Stat. 1117; Pub. L. 96–513, title V, § 511(34)(A), (C), (35), (36), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2922, 2923; Pub. L. 98–557, § 19(2), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2869; Pub. L. 105–12, § 9(h), Apr. 30, 1997, 111 Stat. 27; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title VII, § 725, title X, § 1066(a)(7), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 698, 770; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1704(b)(1), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2314; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title VII, § 711, Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4246.)

The words “armed forces under his jurisdiction” are substituted for the words “Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps and for the Coast Guard when it is operating as a service in the Navy” to reflect section 101(4) of this title.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is Pub. L. 105–12, Apr. 30, 1997, 111 Stat. 23, which is classified principally to chapter 138 (§ 14401 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 14401 of Title 42 and Tables.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 1073, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 82, related to right to vote in war-time presidential and congressional election, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 85–861, § 36B(5), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1570, as superseded by the Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955 which is classified to subchapter I–D (§ 1973cc et seq.) of chapter 20 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Amendments

2011—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–383 designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

2002—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107–296 substituted “of Homeland Security” for “of Transportation”.

1999—Pub. L. 106–65, § 725, designated existing provisions, as amended by Pub. L. 106–65, § 1066(a)(7), as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).

Pub. L. 106–65, § 1066(a)(7), inserted “(42 U.S.C. 14401 et seq.)” after “Act of 1997”.

1997—Pub. L. 105–12 inserted at end “This chapter shall be administered consistent with the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997.”

1984—Pub. L. 98–557 inserted provisions which transferred authority to administer chapter for the Coast Guard when the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Navy from the Secretary of Health and Human Services to the Secretary of Transportation.

1980—Pub. L. 96–513 substituted in section catchline “of this chapter” for “of sections 1071–1087 of this title”, and substituted in text “this chapter” for “sections 1071–1087 of this title”, “those sections”, and “them”, “Secretary of Health and Human Services” for “Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare”, and “National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration” for “Environmental Science Services Administration”.

1966—Pub. L. 89–718 substituted “Environmental Science Services Administration” for “Coast and Geodetic Survey”.

Pub. L. 89–614 substituted “1087” for “1085” in section catchline and text.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective on the date of transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security, see section 1704(g) of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 105–12 effective Apr. 30, 1997, and applicable to Federal payments made pursuant to obligations incurred after Apr. 30, 1997, for items and services provided on or after such date, subject to also being applicable with respect to contracts entered into, renewed, or extended after Apr. 30, 1997, as well as contracts entered into before Apr. 30, 1997, to the extent permitted under such contracts, see section 11 of Pub. L. 105–12, set out as an Effective Date note under section 14401 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–513 effective Dec. 12, 1980, see section 701(b)(3) of Pub. L. 96–513, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 1966 Amendment

For effective date of amendment by Pub. L. 89–614, see section 3 of Pub. L. 89–614, set out as a note under section 1071 of this title.

Repeals

The directory language of, but not the amendment made by, Pub. L. 89–718, § 8(a), Nov. 2, 1966, 80 Stat. 1117, cited as a credit to this section, was repealed by Pub. L. 97–295, § 6(b), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1314.

Real-Time Data Sharing Agreement Regarding Medical Care Provided to Members of the Coast Guard

Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title VII, § 715, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 304, provided that: “Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 2023], the Secretary of Defense shall consult and enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to policies, mechanisms, and processes that the Secretaries concerned shall establish to allow ongoing use by the Coast Guard for access to data, records, and information regarding access by members of the Coast Guard and beneficiaries of such members to military medical facilities or care provided through the TRICARE program that will enhance the ability to monitor, assess, and optimize healthcare services.”

Pilot Program on Assistance for Mental Health Appointment Scheduling at Military Medical Treatment Facilities

Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title VII, § 734, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1799, provided that: “(a) Pilot Program.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2021], the Secretary of Defense shall commence a pilot program, to be carried out for at least a one-year period, to provide direct assistance for mental health appointment scheduling under the direct care and purchased care components of the TRICARE program, through facilities and clinics selected by the Secretary for participation in the pilot program in a number determined by the Secretary. “(b) Briefings.—“(1) First briefing.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing on the nature of the pilot program under subsection (a). “(2) Final briefing.—Not later than 90 days after the date on which the pilot program under subsection (a) terminates, the Secretary shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing on the pilot program. Such briefing shall include an assessment of—“(A) the effectiveness of the pilot program with respect to improved access to mental health appointments; and “(B) any barriers to scheduling mental health appointments under the pilot program observed by health care professionals or other individuals involved in scheduling such appointments. “(c) TRICARE Program Defined.—In this section, the term ‘TRICARE program’ has the meaning given such term in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code.”

Extramedical Maternal Health Providers Demonstration Project

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title VII, § 746, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3710, provided that: “(a) Demonstration Project Required.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 1, 2021], the Secretary of Defense shall commence carrying out a demonstration project designed to evaluate the cost, quality of care, and impact on maternal and fetal outcomes of using extramedical maternal health providers under the TRICARE program to determine the appropriateness of making coverage of such providers under the TRICARE program permanent. “(b) Elements of Demonstration Project.—The demonstration project under subsection (a) shall include, for participants in the demonstration project, the following:“(1) Access to doulas. “(2) Access to lactation consultants or lactation counselors who are not otherwise authorized to provide services under the TRICARE program. “(c) Participants.—The Secretary shall establish a process under which covered beneficiaries may enroll in the demonstration project to receive the services provided under the demonstration project. “(d) Duration.—The Secretary shall carry out the demonstration project for a period of five years beginning on the date on which notification of the commencement of the demonstration project is published in the Federal Register. “(e) Surveys.—“(1) In general.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the duration of the demonstration project, the Secretary shall administer a survey to determine—“(A) how many members of the Armed Forces or spouses of such members give birth while their spouse or birthing partner is unable to be present due to deployment, training, or other mission requirements; “(B) how many single members of the Armed Forces give birth alone; and “(C) how many members of the Armed Forces or spouses of such members use doula, lactation consultant, or lactation counselor support. “(2) Matters covered by surveys.—The surveys administered under paragraph (1) shall include an identification of the following:“(A) The race, ethnicity, age, sex, relationship status, Armed Force, military occupation, and rank, as applicable, of each individual surveyed. “(B) If individuals surveyed were members of the Armed Forces or the spouses of such members, or both. “(C) The length of advanced notice received by individuals surveyed that the member of the Armed Forces would be unable to be present during the birth, if applicable. “(D) Any resources or support that the individuals surveyed found useful during the pregnancy and birth process, including doula, lactation consultant, or lactation counselor support. “(f) Reports.—“(1) Implementation plan.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a plan to implement the demonstration project. “(2) Annual report.—“(A) In general.—Not later than one year after the date on which the demonstration project commences, and annually thereafter for the duration of the demonstration project, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the cost of the demonstration project and the effectiveness of the demonstration project in improving quality of care and the maternal and fetal outcomes of covered beneficiaries enrolled in the demonstration project. “(B) Matters covered.—Each report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall address, at a minimum, the following:“(i) The number of covered beneficiaries who are enrolled in the demonstration project. “(ii) The number of enrolled covered beneficiaries who have participated in the demonstration project. “(iii) The results of the surveys under subsection (e). “(iv) The cost of the demonstration project. “(v) An assessment of the quality of care provided to participants in the demonstration project. “(vi) An assessment of the impact of the demonstration project on maternal and fetal outcomes. “(vii) An assessment of the effectiveness of the demonstration project. “(viii) Recommendations for adjustments to the demonstration project. “(ix) The estimated costs avoided as a result of improved maternal and fetal health outcomes due to the demonstration project. “(x) Recommendations for extending the demonstration project or implementing permanent coverage under the TRICARE program of extramedical maternal health providers. “(xi) An identification of legislative or administrative action necessary to make the demonstration project permanent. “(C) Final report.—The final report under subparagraph (A) shall be submitted not later than 90 days after the date on which the demonstration project terminates. “(g) Expansion of Demonstration Project.—“(1) Regulations.—If the Secretary determines that the demonstration project is successful, the Secretary may prescribe regulations to include extramedical maternal health providers as health care providers authorized to provide care under the TRICARE program. “(2) Credentialing and other requirements.—The Secretary may establish credentialing and other requirements for doulas, lactation consultants, and lactation counselors through public notice and comment rulemaking for purposes of including doulas, lactation consultants, and lactation counselors as health care providers authorized to provide care under the TRICARE program pursuant to regulations prescribed under paragraph (1). “(h) Definitions.—In this section:“(1) The terms ‘covered beneficiary’ and ‘TRICARE program’ have the meanings given those terms in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code. “(2) The term ‘extramedical maternal health provider’ means a doula, lactation consultant, or lactation counselor.”

Residency Requirements for Podiatrists

Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VII, § 720, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1440, provided that: “(a) Requirement.—In addition to any other qualification required by law or regulation, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that to serve as a podiatrist in the Armed Forces, an individual must have successfully completed a three-year podiatric medicine and surgical residency. “(b) Application.—Subsection (a) shall apply with respect to an individual who is commissioned as an officer in the Armed Forces on or after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 12, 2017].”

Authorization of Physical Therapist Assistants and Occupational Therapy Assistants To Provide Services Under the TRICARE Program