TRICARE; Changes Included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002, (NDAA-02), and a Technical Correction Included in the NDAA-03

This rule makes several changes to the TRICARE program authorized by Congress in the NDAA-02. Specifically, revisions to the definition of durable medical equipment (DME); adoption of the same pricing methods for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) as are in effect for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS); clarification that rehabilitative therapy is a TRICARE benefit; addition of augmentative communication devices (ACD)/ speech generating devices (SGDs) as a TRICARE benefit; addition of hearing aids for family members of active duty members as a TRICARE Basic Program benefit; revisions to the definition of prosthetics; permanent authority for transitional health care for certain members separated from active duty; and revisions to the time period of eligibility for transitional health care. This final rule also addresses a technical correction found in section 706 of the Bob Stump NDAA-03, relating to transitional health care for dependents of certain members separated from active duty.