Office of the Secretary March 23, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This proposed rule will implement section 702 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (NDAA for FY 2007), Pubic Law 109-364. Specifically, that legislation amends the coverage of contracted medical care with respect to dental care beyond that care required as a necessary adjunct to medical or surgical treatment. The entitlement of institutional and anesthesia services is authorized in conjunction with non-covered dental treatment for patients with developmental, mental, or physical disabilities or for pediatric patients age 5 or under. This proposed rule will not eliminate any contracted medical care that is currently covered for spouses and children. The entitlement of anesthesia services will include general anesthesia services only. Institutional services will include institutional benefits associated with both hospital and in-out surgery settings. Patients with developmental, mental, or physical disabilities are those patients with conditions that prohibit dental treatment in a safe and effective manner. Therefore, it is medically or psychologically necessary for these patients to require general anesthesia for dental treatment.