MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

SEC. 703. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (a) Reduction in Authorized Inpatient Care.— Subsection (a)(6) of section 1079 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking out “in excess of 60 days in any year;” and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “in excess of— “(A) 30 days in any year, in the case of a patient 19 years of age or older; “(B) 45 days in any year, in the case of a patient under 19 years of age; or “(C) 150 days in any year, in the case of inpatient mental health services provided as residential treatment care;”. (b) Management of Mental Health Services.— Subsection (i) of such section is amended to read as follows: “(i) (1) The limitation in subsection (a)(6) does not apply in the case of inpatient mental health services— “(A) provided under the program for the handicapped under subsection (d); “(B) provided as partial hospital care; or “(C) provided pursuant to a waiver authorized by the Secretary of Defense because of medical or psychological circumstances of the patient that are confirmed by a health professional who is not a Federal employee after a review, pursuant to rules prescribed by the Secretary, which takes into account the appropriate level of care for the patient, the intensity of services required by the patient, and the availability of that care. “(2) Notwithstanding subsection (b) or section 1086(b) of this title, the Secretary of Defense (after consulting with the other administering Secretaries) may prescribe separate payment requirements (including deductibles, copayments, and catastrophic limits) for the provision of mental health services to persons covered by this section or section 1086 of this title. The payment requirements may vary for different categories of covered beneficiaries, by type of mental health service provided, and based on the location of the covered beneficiaries. 104 STAT. 1582 “(3) Except in the case of an emergency, the Secretary of Defense shall require preadmission authorization before inpatient mental health services may be provided to persons covered by this section or section 1086 of this title. In the case of the provision of emergency inpatient mental health services, approval for the continuation of such services shall be required within 72 hours after admission.”. (c) Plan for Reducing Mental Health Services Costs.— Not later than February 1, 1991, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Congress a plan to reduce the costs incurred by the Department of Defense to provide mental health services under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services. The plan shall include a legislative proposal to implement the recommendation of the Secretary. (d) Effective Date.— This section and the amendments made by this section shall take effect on February 15, 1991, and shall apply with respect to mental health services provided under section 1079 or 1086 of title 10, United States Code, on or after that date.