The Department of Defense issued a final rule in the Federal Register Friday modifying its TRICARE program to increase access to mental health services and substance abuse treatment.
The rule expands TRICARE coverage to intensive outpatient programs for mental health and substance abuse treatment as well as opioid treatment programs. As part of this expansion, the rule includes stipulations to develop reimbursement methodologies for these newly added programs. It also aims to streamline the requirements for providers to become authorized under TRICARE and to eliminate limitations on coverage of mental health and substance abuse treatment for TRICARE members.
The expanded programs are expected to increase government costs by about $58 million annually, according to an independent cost estimate.
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