TRICARE; Coverage of Care Related to Non-Covered Initial Surgery or Treatment, 78703-78707 [2014-30307]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
• Office of the Secretary

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78703-78707]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30307]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

32 CFR Part 199

[DOD-2013-HA-0164]
RIN 0720-AB61


TRICARE; Coverage of Care Related to Non-Covered Initial Surgery 
or Treatment

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule revises the limitations on certain TRICARE 
basic program benefits. More specifically, it allows coverage for 
otherwise covered services and supplies required in the treatment of 
complications (unfortunate sequelae), as well as medically necessary 
and appropriate follow-on care, resulting from a non-covered incident 
of treatment provided pursuant to a properly granted Supplemental 
Health Care Program waiver. This final rule amends two provisions of 
the TRICARE regulations which limits coverage for the treatment of 
complications resulting from a non-covered incident of treatment, and 
which expressly excludes from coverage in the Basic Program services 
and supplies related to a non-covered condition or treatment.

DATES: This final rule is effective January 30, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Doss (703) 681-7512.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Summary

A. Purpose of Regulatory Action

Need for the Regulatory Action
    This final rule is necessary for consistency with existing 
regulatory provisions and to protect TRICARE beneficiaries from 
incurring unnecessary financial hardships arising from the current 
regulatory restrictions that prohibit TRICARE coverage of the treatment 
of complications resulting from certain non-covered medical procedures. 
On occasion, an authorized official of a uniformed service may request 
from the Director, Defense Health Agency (DHA) a waiver of TRICARE 
regulatory restrictions or limitations, when the waiver is necessary to 
assure adequate availability of health care services to the active duty 
member. In those cases when a waiver has been properly granted under 
Sec.  199.16(f), this rule grants benefits coverage for otherwise 
covered services and supplies required for treating complications 
arising from the non-covered incident of treatment provided in the 
private sector pursuant to the waiver. Additionally, with respect to 
care that is related to a non-covered initial surgery or treatment, the 
final rule seeks to eliminate any confusion regarding what services and 
supplies will be covered by TRICARE and under what circumstances they 
will be covered.
Legal Authority for the Regulatory Action
    This regulation is finalized under the authorities of 10 U.S.C. 
1073, which authorizes the Secretary of Defense to administer the 
medical and dental benefits provided in 10 U.S.C. chapter 55. The 
Department is authorized to provide medically necessary and appropriate 
treatment for mental and physical illnesses, injuries and bodily 
malfunctions, including hospitalization, outpatient care, drugs, 
treatment of medical and surgical conditions and other types of health 
care outlined in 10 U.S.C. 1077(a). Although section 1077 defines 
benefits to be provided in the Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs), 
these benefits are incorporated by reference into the benefits provided 
in the civilian health care sector to active duty family members and 
retirees and their dependents through sections 1079 and 1086 
respectively.

B. Summary of the Final Rule

    The final rule amends the existing special benefit provision 
regarding complications (unfortunate sequelae) resulting from non-
covered initial

[[Page 78704]]

surgery or treatment, to more clearly address what services and 
supplies will be covered by TRICARE and under what circumstances they 
will be covered. The provision itself is relabeled ``Care related to 
non-covered initial surgery or treatment'' to eliminate any confusion 
regarding what constitutes a complication or unfortunate sequelae and 
how broadly or narrowly the exclusion and exceptions to the exclusion 
should be applied. As amended, the regulatory section will specifically 
address coverage of otherwise covered medically necessary treatment, to 
include coverage of (i) treatment of complications that represent a 
separate medical condition; (ii) treatment of complications and 
necessary follow-on care resulting from a non-covered incident of 
treatment provided in an MTF; and (iii) treatment of complications and 
necessary follow-on care resulting from a non-covered incident of 
treatment provided pursuant to an approved Supplemental Health Care 
Program (SHCP) waiver. Additionally, the regulatory exclusion at Sec.  
199.4(g)(63) is amended to state clearly that all services and supplies 
related to a non-covered condition or treatment, including any 
necessary follow-on care and treatment of complications, are excluded 
from coverage except as provided in Sec.  199.4(e)(9).

C. Costs and Benefits

    This final rule is not anticipated to have an annual effect on the 
economy of $100 million or more, making it a non-economically 
significant rule under Executive Order 12866 and non-major rule under 
the Congressional Review Act. All services and supplies authorized 
under the TRICARE Basic Program must be determined to be medically 
necessary in the treatment of an illness, injury or bodily malfunction 
before the care can be cost shared by TRICARE. For this reason, DoD 
anticipates that TRICARE will incur only a marginal increase in cost 
associated with the inclusion of coverage for treatment of 
complications and necessary follow-on care for TRICARE beneficiaries 
who received previously authorized non-covered treatment pursuant to a 
SHCP waiver while on active duty.

I. Background

A. Statutory and Regulatory Background

    Members of the uniformed services on active duty are entitled to 
medical and dental care pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 1074, including the 
provision of such care in private facilities. With respect to the 
purchase of private sector health care services for Active Duty Service 
Members (ADSMs) under the SHCP, Sec.  199.16 implements the statutory 
provision at 10 U.S.C. 1074(c). Generally, the same rules that govern 
payment and administration of private sector health care claims under 
TRICARE apply to the SHCP and the care that members receive in private 
facilities is comparable to coverage for medical care under the TRICARE 
Prime program. Section 199.16(f) provides the Director of DHA 
discretionary authority to waive requirements of TRICARE regulations, 
including any restrictions or limitations under the TRICARE Basic 
Program benefits, except those specifically set forth in statute, based 
on ``a determination that such waiver is necessary to assure adequate 
availability of health care to Active Duty members.'' ADSMs have access 
to non-covered care including experimental or unproven medical care and 
treatments in the purchased care sector on a case-by-case basis using 
the SHCP waiver process. The Director, DHA, or designee specifically 
approves these case-by-case treatment decisions, resulting in a number 
of ADSMs receiving otherwise non-covered private sector care while 
serving.
    If an ADSM is granted a waiver under the SHCP to receive an 
otherwise non-covered incident of treatment by a private sector 
provider, rather than in an MTF, and suffers complications from the 
care, SHCP funds can be used to cover necessary follow-on care and 
treatment of complications in the purchased care system as long as the 
member remains on active duty. Once the member retires, however, SHCP 
coverage no longer exists and TRICARE does not cover unfortunate 
sequelae of non-covered care provided in the purchased care sector, 
except in limited circumstances (e.g. later complications that 
represent a separate medical condition separate from the condition that 
the non-covered treatment or surgery was directed toward, and the 
treatment of the complication is not essentially similar to the covered 
procedures. This may include a systemic infection, cardiac arrest, or 
acute drug reaction). Additionally, once the service member has 
retired, existing regulations would not allow the continuation of any 
needed follow-on care such as rehabilitative care or drug therapy. When 
these beneficiaries require such treatment, they are responsible for 
the payment for this necessary treatment, which may result in 
significant financial hardship.
    This rule resolves that unfortunate situation by allowing coverage 
of treatment for necessary follow-on care, including complications, 
resulting from non-covered treatment provided to beneficiaries pursuant 
to a SHCP waiver. The specific procedures for approval of this 
treatment will be addressed in the TRICARE Policy Manual to ensure that 
this information is current and easily accessible. TRICARE manuals may 
be accessed at https://www.tricare.mil.

B. Summary of the Proposed Rule

    We proposed to amend the existing special benefit provision 
regarding complications (unfortunate sequelae) resulting from non-
covered initial surgery, to more clearly address what services and 
supplies will be covered by TRICARE and under what circumstances they 
will be covered. We also proposed to re-label the regulatory provision 
to read: ``Care related to non-covered initial surgery or treatment'' 
to eliminate any confusion regarding what constitutes a complication or 
unfortunate sequelae and how broadly or narrowly the exclusion and 
exceptions to the exclusion would be applied. As amended, the 
regulatory section would specifically address coverage of otherwise 
covered medically necessary treatment, to include (i) coverage of 
complications that represent a separate medical condition; (ii) 
treatment of complications and necessary follow-on care resulting from 
a non-covered incident of treatment provided in an MTF; and (iii) 
treatment of complications and necessary follow-on care resulting from 
a non-covered incident of treatment provided pursuant to an approved 
SHCP waiver. Inclusion of the third prong would support the provision 
of care necessary to allow members to return to full duty and/or reach 
their maximum rehabilitative potential without requiring the member to 
bear the sole financial risk for unfortunate sequelae once they are no 
longer on active duty. This amendment would also provide consistent 
treatment of unfortunate sequelae and necessary follow-on care when an 
original episode of non-covered care is provided for a valid 
governmental purpose, whether to support Graduate Medical Education 
(GME) and maintain provider skill levels within an MTF or an ADSM's 
fitness for duty through authorization of the purchase of otherwise 
non-covered care via an SHCP waiver. Additionally, we proposed to amend 
the regulatory exclusion at Sec.  199.4(g)(63) to clearly state that 
all services and supplies related to a non-covered condition or 
treatment, including any necessary follow-on care and treatment of 
complications, would be excluded from

[[Page 78705]]

coverage except as provided in Sec.  199.4(e)(9).

C. Summary of the Final Rulemaking

Modifications to the TRICARE Basic Program Benefits
    Under the TRICARE private sector health care program, certain 
conditions and treatments are excluded from coverage. For example, any 
drug, device, medical treatment, or procedure whose safety and efficacy 
has not been established by reliable evidence is considered unproven 
and excluded from coverage. This exclusion includes all services 
directly related to the unproven drug, device, medical treatment or 
procedure. Specifically, benefits for otherwise covered services and 
supplies that are required in the treatment of complications 
(unfortunate sequelae) resulting from a non-covered incident of 
treatment, are generally excluded from TRICARE coverage pursuant to 
Sec.  199.4(e)(9), unless the complication represents a separate 
medical condition such as a systemic infection, cardiac arrest, and 
acute drug reaction. TRICARE also excludes any needed follow-on care 
resulting from a non-covered condition or initial surgery or treatment 
pursuant to Sec.  199.4(g)(63).
    There is currently one exception to this general exclusion, found 
at Sec.  199.4(e)(9)(ii), which allows coverage of otherwise covered 
services and supplies required in the treatment of complications 
(unfortunate sequelae) resulting from a non-covered incident of 
treatment provided in a MTF, when the initial non-covered service has 
been authorized by the MTF Commander and the MTF is unable to provide 
the necessary treatment of the complications. This current exception 
recognizes that in order to support GME and maintain provider skill 
levels, MTF providers are required to perform medical procedures that 
may be excluded from coverage under the TRICARE private sector program. 
This coverage provision was viewed as necessary to protect TRICARE 
beneficiaries from incurring financial hardships in such cases.
    Currently, Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) may receive non-
covered TRICARE private sector health care services under the SHCP if a 
waiver is submitted through the Service and approved by the Director, 
DHA, or designee, in accordance with Sec.  199.6(f). While the 
Department wants to ensure that Service members have access to the 
latest, promising medical technologies and procedures, there must be 
assurance that the care is safe and effective, and that members are not 
subjected to undue risk, or rendered unfit for continued service, due 
to complications suffered because of unproven medical care. 
Consequently, requests for non-covered procedures and treatments, 
including unproven care, are carefully reviewed in conjunction with 
other available, proven treatments, if any exist, to determine whether 
approval of the requested care is necessary to assure the adequate 
availability of health care to the member. Currently, Service members 
are counseled that the treatment remains a non-covered TRICARE benefit, 
and that any follow-on care, including care for complications, will not 
be covered by TRICARE once the member separates or retires. Members are 
left to make a difficult choice between pursuing a SHCP waiver in an 
effort to remain fit for full duty while assuming the financial risk of 
any necessary follow-on care after discharge, or, electing not to 
receive the care and risk separation from the Service.
    Like the existing exception at Sec.  199.4(e)(9)(ii) for non-
covered care provided in a MTF, this exception is narrowly tailored to 
serve a similar government interest; namely, protecting former active 
duty members who have received private sector care pursuant to a SHCP 
waiver in an effort to ensure their fitness for duty and continued 
service.
    Additionally, some confusion has arisen regarding the terms 
``complication'' and ``unfortunate sequelae'' as these terms are not 
currently defined in regulation. Questions have arisen with respect to 
whether necessary follow-on care resulting from a non-covered procedure 
or treatment in an MTF is covered in situations where the MTF is unable 
to provide the necessary treatment. The intent of the prior September 
16, 2011, final rule, as well as this final rule, is to protect TRICARE 
beneficiaries from incurring financial hardships in limited 
circumstances, which serve valid governmental purposes. Absent an 
exception to the general exclusion from coverage, treatment of adverse 
outcomes, both expected and unexpected, as well as any necessary 
follow-on care that is a direct result of the initial non-covered 
treatment, are excluded and could result in less than optimal care 
(e.g., not receiving necessary physical therapy following surgery) and/
or a significant financial hardship for the beneficiary. The Agency did 
not intend to prevent coverage of necessary follow-on private sector 
care in situations where an MTF is unable to provide that care but the 
current regulatory language is subject to such a narrow interpretation 
absent additional clarification. This final rule permits coverage of 
necessary continued treatment, such as physical therapy following a 
non-covered surgical procedure in an MTF. It also covers medically 
necessary follow-on care, including, for example, anti-rejection 
medications for former members who have received face and hand 
transplants. This rule eliminates the need to try to determine whether 
the medically necessary and appropriate care the patient is seeking 
from the private sector is considered treatment of an expected 
complication, an unexpected complication or routine follow-on care, 
because it will be clearly covered.

II. Summary of and Responses to Public Comments

    The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register (78 FR 
62506) October 22, 2013, for a 60-day comment period. We received 
comments on the proposed rule from three commenters.
    Comments: Two commenters expressed general support for TRICARE 
expressly covering otherwise medically necessary treatment resulting 
from a non-covered incident of treatment provided pursuant to an 
approved SHCP waiver. They supported the policy objective of reducing 
financial risk for unfortunate sequelae once service members are no 
longer on active duty. One commenter stated further that TRICARE should 
cover all of the medical procedures that beneficiaries need. The second 
commenter, in addition to expressing support for the proposed change, 
emphasized the need for a properly approved SHCP waiver.
    Response: We appreciate the commenters' support of this regulatory 
proposal. We would note that the comment pertaining to coverage of all 
medical procedures that beneficiaries need exceeds the scope of this 
Final Rule. Moreover, current TRICARE regulations already address those 
circumstances under which TRICARE is statutorily authorized to provide 
coverage. We also point out that the Defense Health Agency issues 
waivers infrequently and with careful consideration to ensure that the 
member has access to medically necessary treatment. In these 
circumstances, SHCP waivers are only issued when necessary to ensure 
that health care services are adequately available to active duty 
service members.
    Comment: One commenter observed that the Proposed Rule deleted the 
reference to ``transsexual surgery'' and ``repair of a prolapsed vagina 
in a biological male who had undergone

[[Page 78706]]

transsexual surgery'' in the regulation text for Sec.  199.4(e)(9)(i). 
The commenter queried whether we were proposing a change in policy 
regarding transsexual procedures.
    Response: The proposed deletions in the regulation text of the 
proposed rule were intended to be strictly stylistic and not intended 
to reflect any change in policy regarding transsexual procedures. 
TRICARE continues not to cover transsexual surgery and consequently 
would not cover complications similar to the initial episode of non-
covered care, such as the repair of a prolapsed vagina in a biological 
male who had undergone transsexual surgery. The statutory prohibition 
at 10 U.S.C. 1079(a)(12) continue to apply. The one, very limited 
exception to this general exclusion is that TRICARE may cover surgery 
and related medically necessary services performed to correct sex 
gender confusion (that is, ambiguous genitalia) which has been 
documented to be present at birth.
    In the proposed rule, we acknowledged that some confusion had 
arisen in the industry regarding the terms ``complication'' and 
``unfortunate sequelae'' because the terms were not defined in 
regulation. While not defining the terms in the regulation text, we did 
further explain and clarify the intended scope of excluded treatment of 
complications and unfortunate sequelae resulting from non-covered 
initial surgery or treatment, to include expected and unexpected 
complications, as well as any necessary follow-on care that is a direct 
result of the initial non-covered treatment, absent an exception to the 
exclusion. We explained that in Sec.  199.4(e)(9)(ii), for instance, 
the Agency did not intend to prevent coverage of necessary follow-on 
private sector care in situations where an MTF was unable to provide 
that care but the MTF Commander had authorized the initial noncovered 
service. To clarify the intended scope of the excluded treatment of 
complications or unfortunate sequelae, this rule adds ``including any 
necessary follow-on care or the treatment of complications'' in Sec.  
199.4(g)(63), and ``and any necessary follow-on care'' in Sec.  
199.4(e)(9)(ii).
    Comment: We received one comment supporting our amendments to the 
regulations which clarify that the treatment of complications or 
unfortunate sequelae includes necessary follow-on care. The commenter 
felt that the Agency should withhold coverage of treatment for 
secondary complications when the initial procedure was purely elective 
and did not serve a legitimate national defense purpose. The commenter 
also recommended the adoption of a regulatory definition of 
``complication,'' relying perhaps on a definition of the term used by 
private health insurers.
    Response: We appreciate the commenter's support of our clarifying 
amendments to the two regulatory provisions. While we will take under 
advisement proposing a regulatory definition of ``complication'' in the 
future, at this time we believe that the amendments in this rule will 
be adequate to clarify our intended meaning of the term and allow us to 
retain the necessary flexibility when implementing these regulations. 
The Agency is also reluctant to classify levels of ``complications'' as 
primary or secondary, or consider the purpose for which non-covered 
treatment was provided. These proposals would add an unnecessary degree 
of complexity to this regulatory structure, or alternatively, would 
require the Agency to exceed the bounds of its statutory authority.
    Comment: A commenter recommended that the Agency specifically 
exclude certain initial procedures from TRICARE coverage.
    Response: This comment exceeds the scope of this final rule, and we 
will therefore not exclude from TRICARE coverage any initial procedures 
specified in the comment.
    As a final matter, we are finalizing corrections in the regulatory 
text for Sec.  199.4(e)(9)(ii) and (iii), including substituting 
references to the Director, DHA, in lieu of the Director, TMA, and the 
change from ``Sec.  199.6(f) of this chapter'' to ``Sec.  199.16(f)'' 
in Sec.  199.4(e)(9)(iii). We are making the first non-substantive 
change for consistency with recent changes to the structure of the DoD. 
Section 731 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2013 
directed the Secretary of Defense to develop a plan carry out the 
reforms of the governance of the military health system, previously 
outlined in a March 2, 2012, Deputy Secretary of Defense memorandum. As 
described in a March 11, 2013, Deputy Secretary of Defense memorandum, 
the centerpiece of the governance reform was the establishment of a 
Defense Health Agency (DHA) which would, among other responsibilities, 
assume the designated functions of the TMA, which was being 
disestablished. Subsequently, the Department of Defense published 
Directive 5136.13 (published September 30, 2013), which provided that 
any reference in law, rule, regulation, or issuance to TMA will be 
deemed to be a reference to DHA, unless otherwise specified by the 
Secretary of Defense, and further, that the Director, DHA, will serve 
as the program manager for TRICARE health and medical resources, as 
directed by the ASD(HA) and within the established MHS governance 
process. The reference to Director, DHA, in these two regulatory 
sections will clarify the provisions and ensure consistency with the 
current meaning of the existing regulations. The second non-substantive 
change clarifies a cross reference to ``Sec.  199.16(f).'' The proposed 
rule inaccurately referred to ``Sec.  199.16(f) of this chapter.'' In 
our view, these textual corrections do not constitute a rulemaking that 
would be subject to the APA notice and comment or delayed effective 
date requirements.
Provisions of the Final Rule
    Because all comments that were within the scope of this rulemaking 
supported the proposed regulation changes, we are finalizing the 
proposed rule, with the exception of the non-substantive text 
corrections discussed above. The final rule amends the existing special 
benefit provision regarding complications (unfortunate sequelae) 
resulting from non-covered initial surgery. It re-labels the regulatory 
provision to read: ``Care related to non-covered initial surgery or 
treatment.'' It amends Sec.  199.4(e)(9) to provide coverage for 
otherwise covered services and supplies required in the treatment of 
complications resulting from a noncovered incident of treatment: (i) 
But only if the later complication represented a separate medical 
condition; or (ii) if the noncovered incident of treatment was provided 
in an MTF, had been authorized by the MTF Commander, and the MTF was 
unable to provide the necessary treatment of the complications; or 
(iii) if the noncovered incident of treatment was provided in the 
private sector pursuant to a properly granted waiver under Sec.  
199.16(f). This final rule also amends the regulatory exclusion at 
Sec.  199.4(g)(63) to state that all services and supplies related to a 
non-covered condition or treatment, including any necessary follow-on 
care and treatment of complications, will be excluded from coverage 
except as provided in Sec.  199.4(e)(9).

III. Regulatory Procedure

Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review'' and Executive 
Order 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review''

    It has been determined that this final rule is not a significant 
regulatory action. This rule does not:
    (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or

[[Page 78707]]

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 
these Executive Orders.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (Sec. 202, Pub. L. 104-4)

    It has been determined that this final rule does not contain a 
Federal mandate that may result in the expenditure by State, local and 
tribal 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 this final rule 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. Set forth in the final rule are minor revisions to 
the existing regulation. The DoD does not anticipate a significant 
impact on the Program.

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

    It has been determined that this final rule does not impose 
reporting or recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Act of 
1995.

Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    It has been determined that this final rule 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 199

    Claims, Dental health, Health care, Health insurance, Individuals 
with disabilities, and Military personnel.

    Accordingly, 32 CFR part 199 is amended to read as follows:

PART 199--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 199 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 301; 10 U.S.C. chapter 55.


0
2. Section 199.4 is amended by revising paragraphs (e)(9) and (g)(63) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  199.4  Basic program benefits.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (9) Care related to non-covered initial surgery or treatment. (i) 
Benefits are available for otherwise covered services and supplies 
required in the treatment of complications resulting from a non-covered 
incident of treatment (such as nonadjunctive dental care or cosmetic 
surgery) but only if the later complication represents a separate 
medical condition such as a systemic infection, cardiac arrest, and 
acute drug reaction. Benefits may not be extended for any later care or 
a procedure related to the complication that essentially is similar to 
the initial non-covered care. Examples of complications similar to the 
initial episode of care (and thus not covered) would be repair of 
facial scarring resulting from dermabrasion for acne.
    (ii) Benefits are available for otherwise covered services and 
supplies required in the treatment of complications (unfortunate 
sequelae) and any necessary follow-on care resulting from a non-covered 
incident of treatment provided in an MTF, when the initial non-covered 
service has been authorized by the MTF Commander and the MTF is unable 
to provide the necessary treatment of the complications or required 
follow-on care, according to the guidelines adopted by the Director, 
DHA, or a designee.
    (iii) Benefits are available for otherwise covered services and 
supplies required in the treatment of complications (unfortunate 
sequelae) and any necessary follow-on care resulting from a non-covered 
incident of treatment provided in the private sector pursuant to a 
properly granted waiver under Sec.  199.16(f). The Director, DHA, or 
designee, shall issue guidelines for implementing this provision.
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (63) Non-covered condition/treatment, unauthorized provider. All 
services and supplies (including inpatient institutional costs) related 
to a non-covered condition or treatment, including any necessary 
follow-on care or the treatment of complications, are excluded from 
coverage except as provided under paragraph (e)(9) of this section. In 
addition, all services and supplies provided by an unauthorized 
provider are excluded.
* * * * *

    Dated: December 22, 2014.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2014-30307 Filed 12-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P