ELIMINATION OF REQUIREMENT FOR TRICARE PREAUTHORIZATION OF INPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR MEDICARE-ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES.

SEC. 701. ELIMINATION OF REQUIREMENT FOR TRICARE PREAUTHORIZATION OF INPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR MEDICARE-ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES. (a) Elimination of Requirement.—Section 1079(i)(3) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (1) by inserting “(A)” after “(3)”; (2) by striking “Except in the case of an emergency,” and inserting “Except as provided in subparagraph (B),”; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs: “(B) Preadmission authorization for inpatient mental health services is not required under subparagraph (A) in the following cases: “(i) In the case of an emergency. “(ii) In a case in which any benefits are payable for such services under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395c et seq.), subject to subparagraph (C). “(C) In a case of inpatient mental health services to which subparagraph (B)(ii) applies, the Secretary shall require advance authorization for a continuation of the provision of such services after benefits cease to be payable for such services under such part A”. (b) Effective Date.—The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect October 1, 2003.