MODERNIZATION OF TRICARE BUSINESS PRACTICES AND INCREASE OF USE OF MILITARY TREATMENT FACILITIES.

SEC. 723. [10 U.S.C. 1073 note] MODERNIZATION OF TRICARE BUSINESS PRACTICES AND INCREASE OF USE OF MILITARY TREATMENT FACILITIES. (a) Requirement To Implement Internet-Based System.—Not later than October 1, 2001, the Secretary of Defense shall implement a system to simplify and make accessible through the use of the Internet, through commercially available systems and products, critical administrative processes within the military health care system and the TRICARE program. The purposes of the system shall be to enhance efficiency, improve service, and achieve commercially recognized standards of performance. (b) Elements of System.—The system required by subsection (a)— (1) shall comply with patient confidentiality and security requirements, and incorporate data requirements, that are currently widely used by insurers under medicare and commercial insurers; (2) shall be designed to achieve improvements with respect to— (A) the availability and scheduling of appointments; (B) the filing, processing, and payment of claims; (C) marketing and information initiatives; (D) the continuation of enrollments without expiration; (E) the portability of enrollments nationwide; (F) education of beneficiaries regarding the military health care system and the TRICARE program; and (G) education of health care providers regarding such system and program; and (3) may be implemented through a contractor under TRICARE Prime. (c) Areas of Implementation.—The Secretary shall implement the system required by subsection (a) in at least one region under the TRICARE program. (d) Plan for Improved Portability of Benefits.—Not later than March 15, 2001, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a plan to provide portability and reciprocity of benefits for all enrollees under the TRICARE program throughout all TRICARE regions. (e) Increase of Use of Military Medical Treatment Facilities.—The Secretary shall initiate a program to maximize the use of military medical treatment facilities by improving the efficiency of health care operations in such facilities. (f) Definition.—In this section the term “TRICARE program” has the meaning given such term in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code.