Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS); revisions to the eligibility requirements--DoD. Proposed rule.

This proposed rule revises the comprehensive CHAMPUS regulation pertaining to basic CHAMPUS benefits in accordance with several statutory changes. This proposed rule: sets forth the requirements for reinstatement of CHAMPUS eligibility for beneficiaries under age 65 who would otherwise have lost eligibility for CHAMPUS due to eligibility for Medicare as a result of disability or end-stage renal disease (ESRD); establishes new classes of CHAMPUS eligibles; establishes the Transitional Assistance Management Program which provides transitional health care for members (and their dependents) who served on active duty in support of a contingency operation and for members (and their dependents) who are involuntarily separated from active duty; allows former spouses who buy a conversion health policy to keep CHAMPUS eligibility for twenty-four (24) months for preexisting conditions that are not covered by the conversion policy; and makes minor technical revisions to the double coverage provisions. This proposed rule also adds a new category of eligible beneficiary under the Continued Health Care Benefit Program.