Extension of the Comprehensive Autism Care Demonstration for TRICARE Eligible Beneficiaries Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder, 47731-47733 [2022-16742]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 149 / Thursday, August 4, 2022 / Notices
Requests for copies of the information
collection proposal should be sent to
Ms. Duncan at whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.dddod-information-collections@mail.mil.
Dated: August 1, 2022.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2022–16759 Filed 8–3–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
[Docket ID DoD–2022–OS–0052]
Submission for OMB Review;
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comments received by September 6,
2022.
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PRAMain. Find this particular
information collection by selecting
‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open
for Public Comments’’ or by using the
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Angela Duncan, 571–372–7574, whs.mcalex.esd.mbx.dd-dod-informationcollections@mail.mil.
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jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES
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VerDate Sep<11>2014
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Jkt 256001
47731
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Annual Burden Hours: 2,464.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
DD 3026–3
Extension of the Comprehensive
Autism Care Demonstration for
TRICARE Eligible Beneficiaries
Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum
Disorder
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Responses per Respondent: 11.
Annual Responses: 132.
Average Burden per Response: 16
hours.
Annual Burden Hours: 2,112.
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surpass the corresponding dollar
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Affected Public: Business or other forprofit.
Frequency: Annually.
Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary.
OMB Desk Officer: Ms. Jasmeet
Seehra.
You may also submit comments and
recommendations, identified by Docket
ID number and title, by the following
method:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the agency name, Docket
ID number, and title for this Federal
Register document. The general policy
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from members of the public is to make
these submissions available for public
viewing on the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov as they are
received without change, including any
personal identifiers or contact
information.
DOD Clearance Officer: Ms. Angela
Duncan.
Requests for copies of the information
collection proposal should be sent to
Ms. Duncan at whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.dddod-information-collections@mail.mil.
Dated: August 1, 2022.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2022–16761 Filed 8–3–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
PO 00000
Frm 00043
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Office of the Secretary
Department of Defense.
Notice of an extension of the
Comprehensive Autism Care
Demonstration (ACD) for all Applied
Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for all
TRICARE eligible beneficiaries
diagnosed with Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD).
AGENCY:
ACTION:
This notice provides a fiveyear extension to the Military Health
System’s (MHS) demonstration project
entitled Comprehensive ACD (the
‘‘Demonstration’’), which is authorized
to render clinically necessary and
appropriate ABA services for the core
symptoms of ASD. The purpose of the
Demonstration is to analyze and
evaluate the appropriateness of the ABA
services tiered delivery model under
TRICARE (the medical benefit) in light
of current and anticipated practice
guidelines. In addition to a pending
independent research study and a
Congressionally-required independent
National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering, and Medicine analysis,
based on the agency’s experience in
administering ABA services under the
Demonstration (including engagements
with beneficiaries, providers, advocates,
associations, and other payers), more
data collection and analysis is required
to determine the appropriate structure
of implementing ABA services as either
a medical treatment or other modality,
under the TRICARE program coverage
requirements.
SUMMARY:
The Demonstration will continue
through December 31, 2028.
ADDRESSES: Defense Health Agency,
Health Plan Operations, 7700 Arlington
Boulevard, Suite 5101, Falls Church,
Virginia 22042.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
questions pertaining to this
demonstration project, please contact
Ms. Valerie Palmer at (303) 676–3557.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June
16, 2014, Department of Defense
published a Notice in the Federal
Register (FR) (79 FR 34291), as amended
by 80 FR 30664 (May 29, 2015), of a
TRICARE demonstration to further
analyze and evaluate the
appropriateness of the ABA tiered
delivery model under TRICARE. The
purpose of the Demonstration was to
DATES:
E:\FR\FM\04AUN1.SGM
04AUN1
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES
47732
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 149 / Thursday, August 4, 2022 / Notices
determine the appropriate provider
qualifications for the proper diagnosis of
ASD and for the provision of ABA
services, assess the feasibility and
advisability of establishing a beneficiary
cost share for ABA services for the
treatment of ASD, and develop more
efficient and appropriate means of
increasing access to and delivery of
ABA services under TRICARE while
creating a viable economic model and
maintaining administrative simplicity.
The Demonstration was implemented
on July 25, 2014, with the original
authority set to expire on December 31,
2018; however, an extension of the
authority for the Demonstration until
December 31, 2023, was granted, as
documented via a FR notice published
on December 11, 2017 (82 FR 58186).
The notice stated that additional
analysis and experience were required
to determine the appropriate
characterization of ABA services as a
medical treatment, or other modality,
under the TRICARE program coverage
requirements. While much has been
learned about ABA services
administration under the TRICARE
program, additional data are required to
support a final determination regarding
the appropriate provider qualifications
for the proper diagnosis of ASD and for
the provision of ABA services, the
individual characteristics for patient/
beneficiary improvement, and the
appropriate clinical ABA services under
the TRICARE benefit.
ABA services are currently provided
through the Demonstration and
managed by existing TRICARE regional
Managed Care Support Contractors
(MCSCs). Under the Demonstration, the
Department implemented a provider
model that allows reimbursement for
ABA services rendered by providers
who are not otherwise eligible for
reimbursement. Approximately 16,000
beneficiaries diagnosed with ASD
participate in the program annually
with Demonstration enrollment
continually fluctuating with new and
terminating participants. Unlike the
TRICARE Basic medical benefit, many
TRICARE standards had to be modified
and exceptions to policy made due to
the unique and evolving nature of ABA
service provision or Congressional
direction, such as: diagnosis and referral
procedures; ABA provider qualifications
and credentialing/certification;
utilization management reviews; and
reimbursement rate methodology. Since
implementation of the Demonstration,
Congress directed the agency to add
outcome measures as a requirement to
the program. Outcome measures were
implemented on January 1, 2017, and
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:25 Aug 03, 2022
Jkt 256001
are aimed at assessing individual
progress for each beneficiary, as well as
evaluating program effectiveness with
the beneficiary population participating
in the Demonstration. Preliminary
outcome findings for one of three
outcome measures were first reported in
Quarter 1, Fiscal Year (FY) 2019.
Subsequent quarterly and annual
reports continued to highlight findings
based on only one outcome measure.
Inconsistencies in data collection
methods and reporting from
participating providers limited the
Department’s ability to analyze the other
two outcome measures.
In addition to the Demonstration’s
outcome measures, a grant was awarded
under the Congressionally Directed
Medical Research Program (CDMRP) to
the University of Rochester in
September 2018 that is evaluating
traditional intensive ABA services
compared to a modified ABA service
delivery model (https://
clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/
NCT04078061). Early intensive
behavioral intervention (EIBI) for
toddlers and preschoolers diagnosed
with ASD typically involves 20 or more
hours per week of individualized
instruction based on ABA principles.
Although research to date does not yet
meet TRICARE’s hierarchy of reliable
evidence standards for proven medical
care, research suggests that EIBI
accelerates development of cognitive
and adaptive skills in many children
diagnosed with ASD. However, the
evidence base has significant gaps,
notably a shortage of randomized
controlled trials (RCTs), limited data on
whether EIBI reduces ASD symptoms,
and few studies on outcomes of EIBI in
community settings such as private
agencies where most children with ASD
receive services. Recently, research
suggests that less intensive, time limited
ABA interventions can effectively target
specific core and associated features of
ASD. The investigators in the CDMRP
study are evaluating if combining
targeted interventions via an
individualized, adaptive, and modular
ABA (MABA) approach (10 hours per
week) could be at least as effective as
EIBI (20 hours per week) over the course
of a 24-week RCT at follow-ups
conducted 24 weeks after intervention
and 90 weeks after intervention.
It is anticipated that the results of the
CDMRP study will not only further the
Department’s understanding of the
impact of ABA services delivered to the
Demonstration participants, but also
that findings from this study may
benefit the larger community of
individuals diagnosed with ASD and
their families. The findings will leverage
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
clinical outcomes while informing
program development, structure, and
long term impacts. Additionally, the
findings may offer more clinical
program choices to families, potentially
identifying variables beneficial to
clinical success. Findings may also lead
to lowering costs to families and payers
while also increasing access to effective
and targeted ABA services. This study is
scheduled to conclude at the end of
2023.
Further impacting the Demonstration,
Congress directed that, via enactment of
the National Defense Authorization Act
for FY 2022, Department of Defense
enter into an agreement with the
National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering, and Medicine (‘‘National
Academies’’) to conduct an analysis on
the effectiveness of the ACD and
develop recommendations for the
Department based on such analysis. The
analysis would include, among other
goals, a review of the expected health
outcomes for an individual who has
received ABA services over time, and
other analyses to measure the
effectiveness of the Demonstration. At
the conclusion of the study, the
National Academies will develop and
provide the Department a list of findings
and recommendations related to the
measurement, effectiveness, and
increased understanding of the
Demonstration and its effect on
beneficiaries under the TRICARE
program. The National Academies study
will take significant time to complete,
and the Department will then require
additional time to evaluate the National
Academies’ recommendations and make
any appropriate and authorized
changes.
Experience from administering the
Demonstration to date informed the
Department’s ability to publish a
significant policy update (March 23,
2021) to address the clinical needs of
the beneficiary population as well as
revise program oversight requirements.
This policy update focused on
providing enhanced beneficiary and
family support; improving clinical
outcomes; encouraging parental
involvement; and improving utilization
management controls. These revisions
are anticipated to improve the quality
of, and access to, clinically necessary
and appropriate care and services, and
will also improve management and
accountability of both the MCSCs and
ABA providers.
Based on the above factors, at this
time, making any determination
regarding the efficacy of ABA services
as a medical benefit, or other coverage
options, under TRICARE is premature,
and it is necessary for the Department
E:\FR\FM\04AUN1.SGM
04AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 149 / Thursday, August 4, 2022 / Notices
to extend the Demonstration beyond its
expiration on December 31, 2023. While
much information has been learned
about ABA while administering services
under the Demonstration authority, the
Department needs time to further
evaluate the goals of the Demonstration,
collect and evaluate outcome measures,
incorporate the results of the CDMRP
study award, and address
recommendations from the National
Academies. In addition, by extending
the Demonstration, the Department will
not only be able to fully implement the
program improvements, but also will
continue to gain greater insight and
understanding of the effectiveness of
ABA services being delivered to
TRICARE beneficiaries based on
outcome data.
As the Department is pending a
benefit determination, this extension
will determine whether the
Demonstration meets its stated purpose
and will provide the Department with
consistent and reliable information
necessary to make a formal decision
regarding the provision of the ABA
services benefit. The Demonstration
continues to be authorized by Title 10,
United States Code, Section 1092.
Dated: July 29, 2022.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2022–16742 Filed 8–3–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
[Docket ID USN–2022–HQ–0013]
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
Department of the Navy,
Department of Defense (DoD).
ACTION: 30-day information collection
notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of Defense
has submitted to OMB for clearance the
following proposal for collection of
information under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act.
DATES: Consideration will be given to all
comments received by September 6,
2022.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent
within 30 days of publication of this
notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/
PRAMain. Find this particular
information collection by selecting
‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:25 Aug 03, 2022
Jkt 256001
for Public Comments’’ or by using the
search function.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Angela Duncan, 571–372–7574, whs.mcalex.esd.mbx.dd-dod-informationcollections@mail.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title;
Associated Form; And OMB Number:
United States Marine Corps Suicide
Prevention Stakeholder Survey; OMB
Control Number 0703–SPSS.
Type of Request: New collection.
Number of Respondents: 7,215.
Responses per Respondent: 1.
Annual Responses: 7,215.
Average Burden per Response: 15
minutes.
Annual Burden Hours: 1,803.75.
Needs and Uses: Marine and Reserve
Affairs, Marine and Family Programs is
evaluating its suicide prevention
capability. One component of this effort
involves gathering information from
various stakeholders who contribute
directly or indirectly to suicide
prevention efforts in the U.S. Marine
Corps (USMC). Stakeholders will be
asked about priorities in suicide
prevention, job duties related to suicide
prevention, communication with other
stakeholders, and perceived successes
and perceived barriers in suicide
prevention. The USMC Suicide
Prevention Stakeholder Survey will
provide information vital for continuous
process improvement. Information
collected from this effort will be used to
support Marines experiencing critical
stressors, identify gaps in the suicide
prevention system, and identify best
practices and collaboration efforts
between suicide prevention
stakeholders.
Affected Public: Individuals or
households.
Frequency: Once.
Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary.
OMB Desk Officer: Ms. Jasmeet
Seehra.
You may also submit comments and
recommendations, identified by Docket
ID number and title, by the following
method:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the agency name, Docket
ID number, and title 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 https://
www.regulations.gov as they are
received without change, including any
personal identifiers or contact
information.
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
47733
DOD Clearance Officer: Ms. Angela
Duncan.
Requests for copies of the information
collection proposal should be sent to
Ms. Duncan at whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.dddod-information-collections@mail.mil.
Dated: August 1, 2022.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register, Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2022–16760 Filed 8–3–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[Docket No. ED–2022–SCC–0098]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Comment Request; GEPA
Section 427 Guidance for All Grant
Applications
Office of the Secretary (OS),
Department of Education (ED).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is
proposing a revision of a currently
approved information collection.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before
OCTOBER 3, 2022.
ADDRESSES: To access and review all the
documents related to the information
collection listed in this notice, please
use https://www.regulations.gov by
searching the Docket ID number ED–
2022–SCC–0098. Comments submitted
in response to this notice should be
submitted electronically through the
Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://
www.regulations.gov by selecting the
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commercial delivery, or hand delivery.
If the regulations.gov site is not
available to the public for any reason,
ED will temporarily accept comments at
ICDocketMgr@ed.gov. Please include the
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comments. Please note that comments
submitted by fax or email and those
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not be accepted. Written requests for
information or comments submitted by
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addressed to the PRA Coordinator of the
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Governance and Strategy Division, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland
Ave. SW, LBJ, Room 6W208B,
Washington, DC 20202–8240.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
specific questions related to collection
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\04AUN1.SGM
04AUN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 149 (Thursday, August 4, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47731-47733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-16742]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
Extension of the Comprehensive Autism Care Demonstration for
TRICARE Eligible Beneficiaries Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder
AGENCY: Department of Defense.
ACTION: Notice of an extension of the Comprehensive Autism Care
Demonstration (ACD) for all Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services
for all TRICARE eligible beneficiaries diagnosed with Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice provides a five-year extension to the Military
Health System's (MHS) demonstration project entitled Comprehensive ACD
(the ``Demonstration''), which is authorized to render clinically
necessary and appropriate ABA services for the core symptoms of ASD.
The purpose of the Demonstration is to analyze and evaluate the
appropriateness of the ABA services tiered delivery model under TRICARE
(the medical benefit) in light of current and anticipated practice
guidelines. In addition to a pending independent research study and a
Congressionally-required independent National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering, and Medicine analysis, based on the agency's experience in
administering ABA services under the Demonstration (including
engagements with beneficiaries, providers, advocates, associations, and
other payers), more data collection and analysis is required to
determine the appropriate structure of implementing ABA services as
either a medical treatment or other modality, under the TRICARE program
coverage requirements.
DATES: The Demonstration will continue through December 31, 2028.
ADDRESSES: Defense Health Agency, Health Plan Operations, 7700
Arlington Boulevard, Suite 5101, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions pertaining to this
demonstration project, please contact Ms. Valerie Palmer at (303) 676-
3557.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 16, 2014, Department of Defense
published a Notice in the Federal Register (FR) (79 FR 34291), as
amended by 80 FR 30664 (May 29, 2015), of a TRICARE demonstration to
further analyze and evaluate the appropriateness of the ABA tiered
delivery model under TRICARE. The purpose of the Demonstration was to
[[Page 47732]]
determine the appropriate provider qualifications for the proper
diagnosis of ASD and for the provision of ABA services, assess the
feasibility and advisability of establishing a beneficiary cost share
for ABA services for the treatment of ASD, and develop more efficient
and appropriate means of increasing access to and delivery of ABA
services under TRICARE while creating a viable economic model and
maintaining administrative simplicity. The Demonstration was
implemented on July 25, 2014, with the original authority set to expire
on December 31, 2018; however, an extension of the authority for the
Demonstration until December 31, 2023, was granted, as documented via a
FR notice published on December 11, 2017 (82 FR 58186). The notice
stated that additional analysis and experience were required to
determine the appropriate characterization of ABA services as a medical
treatment, or other modality, under the TRICARE program coverage
requirements. While much has been learned about ABA services
administration under the TRICARE program, additional data are required
to support a final determination regarding the appropriate provider
qualifications for the proper diagnosis of ASD and for the provision of
ABA services, the individual characteristics for patient/beneficiary
improvement, and the appropriate clinical ABA services under the
TRICARE benefit.
ABA services are currently provided through the Demonstration and
managed by existing TRICARE regional Managed Care Support Contractors
(MCSCs). Under the Demonstration, the Department implemented a provider
model that allows reimbursement for ABA services rendered by providers
who are not otherwise eligible for reimbursement. Approximately 16,000
beneficiaries diagnosed with ASD participate in the program annually
with Demonstration enrollment continually fluctuating with new and
terminating participants. Unlike the TRICARE Basic medical benefit,
many TRICARE standards had to be modified and exceptions to policy made
due to the unique and evolving nature of ABA service provision or
Congressional direction, such as: diagnosis and referral procedures;
ABA provider qualifications and credentialing/certification;
utilization management reviews; and reimbursement rate methodology.
Since implementation of the Demonstration, Congress directed the agency
to add outcome measures as a requirement to the program. Outcome
measures were implemented on January 1, 2017, and are aimed at
assessing individual progress for each beneficiary, as well as
evaluating program effectiveness with the beneficiary population
participating in the Demonstration. Preliminary outcome findings for
one of three outcome measures were first reported in Quarter 1, Fiscal
Year (FY) 2019. Subsequent quarterly and annual reports continued to
highlight findings based on only one outcome measure. Inconsistencies
in data collection methods and reporting from participating providers
limited the Department's ability to analyze the other two outcome
measures.
In addition to the Demonstration's outcome measures, a grant was
awarded under the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program
(CDMRP) to the University of Rochester in September 2018 that is
evaluating traditional intensive ABA services compared to a modified
ABA service delivery model (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT04078061). Early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) for
toddlers and preschoolers diagnosed with ASD typically involves 20 or
more hours per week of individualized instruction based on ABA
principles. Although research to date does not yet meet TRICARE's
hierarchy of reliable evidence standards for proven medical care,
research suggests that EIBI accelerates development of cognitive and
adaptive skills in many children diagnosed with ASD. However, the
evidence base has significant gaps, notably a shortage of randomized
controlled trials (RCTs), limited data on whether EIBI reduces ASD
symptoms, and few studies on outcomes of EIBI in community settings
such as private agencies where most children with ASD receive services.
Recently, research suggests that less intensive, time limited ABA
interventions can effectively target specific core and associated
features of ASD. The investigators in the CDMRP study are evaluating if
combining targeted interventions via an individualized, adaptive, and
modular ABA (MABA) approach (10 hours per week) could be at least as
effective as EIBI (20 hours per week) over the course of a 24-week RCT
at follow-ups conducted 24 weeks after intervention and 90 weeks after
intervention.
It is anticipated that the results of the CDMRP study will not only
further the Department's understanding of the impact of ABA services
delivered to the Demonstration participants, but also that findings
from this study may benefit the larger community of individuals
diagnosed with ASD and their families. The findings will leverage
clinical outcomes while informing program development, structure, and
long term impacts. Additionally, the findings may offer more clinical
program choices to families, potentially identifying variables
beneficial to clinical success. Findings may also lead to lowering
costs to families and payers while also increasing access to effective
and targeted ABA services. This study is scheduled to conclude at the
end of 2023.
Further impacting the Demonstration, Congress directed that, via
enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2022,
Department of Defense enter into an agreement with the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (``National
Academies'') to conduct an analysis on the effectiveness of the ACD and
develop recommendations for the Department based on such analysis. The
analysis would include, among other goals, a review of the expected
health outcomes for an individual who has received ABA services over
time, and other analyses to measure the effectiveness of the
Demonstration. At the conclusion of the study, the National Academies
will develop and provide the Department a list of findings and
recommendations related to the measurement, effectiveness, and
increased understanding of the Demonstration and its effect on
beneficiaries under the TRICARE program. The National Academies study
will take significant time to complete, and the Department will then
require additional time to evaluate the National Academies'
recommendations and make any appropriate and authorized changes.
Experience from administering the Demonstration to date informed
the Department's ability to publish a significant policy update (March
23, 2021) to address the clinical needs of the beneficiary population
as well as revise program oversight requirements. This policy update
focused on providing enhanced beneficiary and family support; improving
clinical outcomes; encouraging parental involvement; and improving
utilization management controls. These revisions are anticipated to
improve the quality of, and access to, clinically necessary and
appropriate care and services, and will also improve management and
accountability of both the MCSCs and ABA providers.
Based on the above factors, at this time, making any determination
regarding the efficacy of ABA services as a medical benefit, or other
coverage options, under TRICARE is premature, and it is necessary for
the Department
[[Page 47733]]
to extend the Demonstration beyond its expiration on December 31, 2023.
While much information has been learned about ABA while administering
services under the Demonstration authority, the Department needs time
to further evaluate the goals of the Demonstration, collect and
evaluate outcome measures, incorporate the results of the CDMRP study
award, and address recommendations from the National Academies. In
addition, by extending the Demonstration, the Department will not only
be able to fully implement the program improvements, but also will
continue to gain greater insight and understanding of the effectiveness
of ABA services being delivered to TRICARE beneficiaries based on
outcome data.
As the Department is pending a benefit determination, this
extension will determine whether the Demonstration meets its stated
purpose and will provide the Department with consistent and reliable
information necessary to make a formal decision regarding the provision
of the ABA services benefit. The Demonstration continues to be
authorized by Title 10, United States Code, Section 1092.
Dated: July 29, 2022.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2022-16742 Filed 8-3-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P