TRANSITIONAL AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE CONTINUED HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN PERSONSUNAWARE OF LOSS OF CHAMPUS ELIGIBILITY.

SEC. 704. TRANSITIONAL AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE CONTINUED HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN PERSONSUNAWARE OF LOSS OF CHAMPUS ELIGIBILITY. (a) Transitional Coverage.— The administering Secretaries may continue eligibility of a person described in subsection (b) for health care coverage under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services based on a determination that such continuation is appropriate to assure health care coverage for any such person who may have been unaware of the loss of eligibility to receive health benefits under that program. (b) Persons Eligible.— A person shall be eligible for transitional health care coverage under subsection (a) if the person— (1) is a person described in paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of section 1086 of title 10, United States Code; (2) in the absence of such paragraph, would be eligible for health benefits under such section; and (3) satisfies the criteria specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) of such subsection. (c) Extent of Transitional Authority.— The authority to continue eligibility under this section shall apply with respect to 112 STAT. 2058health care services provided between October 1, 1998, and July 1, 1999. (d) Definition.— In this section, the term “administering Secretaries” has the meaning given that term in section 1072(3) of title 10, United States Code.