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Defense Health Care: Implementing Coordinated Care--A Status Report

HRD-92-10 Published: Oct 03, 1991. Publicly Released: Oct 03, 1991.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined the status of the Department of Defense's (DOD) efforts in implementing Coordinated Care, its managed health care concept, throughout the military health services system.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should develop and submit to Congress a plan for adopting uniform DOD benefits and cost sharing within each category of enrolled beneficiary, regardless of whether the care is provided in a military hospital or a civilian setting.
Closed – Implemented
A uniform benefit design has been completed. The final rule was published in the "Federal Register" in October 1995.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should direct the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) to review the DOD timetable for the systemwide implementation of Coordinated Care and report the results of that review, including revised time frames, as appropriate, to Congress.
Closed – Implemented
Transition from Coordinated Care to the Department's managed care program, TRICARE, began in October 1993. TRICARE policy guidelines, including a timetable for implementation, were updated in February 1994. A three-year phase in is expected to be completed in 1997.

Full Report

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Topics

Cost sharing (finance)Defense cost controlEmployee medical benefitsHealth care cost controlHealth resources utilizationHealth services administrationManaged health careMilitary dependentsMilitary hospitalsMilitary personnelMilitary health services