PILOT PROGRAM ON CERTAIN TREATMENTS OF AUTISM UNDER THE TRICARE PROGRAM.

SEC. 705. [10 U.S.C. 1092 note] PILOT PROGRAM ON CERTAIN TREATMENTS OF AUTISM UNDER THE TRICARE PROGRAM. (a) Pilot Program.— (1) In general.—The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a pilot program to provide for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including applied behavior analysis. (2) Commencement.—The Secretary shall commence the pilot program under paragraph (1) by not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Duration.—The Secretary may not carry out the pilot program under subsection (a)(1) for longer than a one-year period. (c) Report.—Not later than 270 days after the date on which the pilot program under subsection (a)(1) commences, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the pilot program. The report shall include the following: (1) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of establishing a beneficiary cost share for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders. (2) A comparison of providing such treatment under— (A) the ECHO Program; and (B) the TRICARE program other than under the ECHO Program. (3) Any recommendations for changes in legislation. (4) Any additional information the Secretary considers appropriate. (d) Definitions.—In this section: (1) The term “ECHO Program” means the Extended Care Health Option under subsections (d) through (f) of section 1079 of title 10, United States Code. (2) The term “TRICARE program” has the meaning given that term in section 1072(7) of title 10, United States Code.