STUDY ON ALLOWING DEPENDENTS OF ACTIVATED MEMBERS OF RESERVE COMPONENTS TO RETAIN CIVILIAN HEALTH CARE COVERAGE.

SEC. 715. STUDY ON ALLOWING DEPENDENTS OF ACTIVATED MEMBERS OF RESERVE COMPONENTS TO RETAIN CIVILIAN HEALTH CARE COVERAGE.(a) Study Requirement.—The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a study on the feasibility of allowing family members of members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who are called or ordered to active duty in support of a contingency operation to continue health care coverage under a civilian health care program and provide reimbursement for such health care.(b) Elements.—The study required by subsection (a) shall include the following:(1) An assessment of the number of military dependents with special health care needs (such as ongoing chemotherapy or physical therapy) who would benefit from continued coverage under the member’s civilian health care plan instead of enrolling in the TRICARE program.(2) An assessment of the feasibility of providing reimbursement to the member or the sponsor of the civilian health coverage.(3) A recommendation on the appropriate rate of reimbursement for members or sponsors of civilian health coverage.(4) The feasibility of including dependents who do not have access to health care providers that accept payment under the TRICARE program.(c) Report Required.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the study required under subsection (a).