Defense health care: DOD assessment needed to ensure TRICARE behavioral health coverage goals are being met : report to congressional committees
- Collection:
- Health Policy and Services Research
- Alternate Title(s):
- DOD assessment needed to ensure TRICARE behavioral health coverage goals are being met: report to congressional committees
- Contributor(s):
- United States. Government Accountability Office, issuing body.
- Publication:
- Washington, DC : United States Government Accountability Office, December 2023
- Language(s):
- English
- Format:
- Text
- Subject(s):
- Behavioral Medicine Government Programs Government Regulation Legislation, Medical Mental Health Services Military Family Military Health Services United States United States. Department of Defense
- Genre(s):
- Technical Report
- Abstract:
- Why GAO did this study. Behavioral health conditions, which include mental health and substance use disorders, affect millions of people and can have harmful consequences on the military and its service members, including decreasing readiness. Concerns about the accessibility of behavioral health services have been longstanding. DHA has taken steps to enhance TRICARE’s coverage of these services through a 2016 final rule that expanded behavioral health coverage. Congress included a provision in statute for GAO to report on TRICARE’s coverage of behavioral health services. This report (1) describes requirements that apply to TRICARE’s coverage of behavioral health services, and (2) examines DHA efforts to achieve its goals to improve TRICARE’s behavioral health coverage. GAO reviewed DHA documentation, including the 2016 final rule and TRICARE benefit descriptions for 2023 Prime and Select plans, which cover most beneficiaries. GAO also compared requirements for four types of health services, selected based on their similar setting and intensity, and interviewed DHA and contractor officials. What GAO recommends. GAO is making a recommendation to DHA that the agency periodically assess progress toward meeting DHA’s behavioral health coverage goals and address any inconsistencies. DOD concurred with GAO’s recommendation.
- Copyright:
- The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)
- Extent:
- 1 online resource (1 PDF file (ii, 20 pages))
- Illustrations:
- Illustrations
- NLM Unique ID:
- 9918750688806676 (See catalog record)
- Permanent Link:
- http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9918750688806676