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TRICARE’S Web-Based Mental Health Initiatives

August 3, 2009

Background

• DoD Appropriations Act for FY 2009 Joint Explanatory Statement encouraged Web-based mental health care

• TMA legal and medical rulings issued Friday, May 29, 2009

• What we can do

TRICARE Assistance Program

Video Chat between beneficiary and counselor

Telemedicine Network Development

MCSCs asked to develop networks

TRICARE: Web-Based Mental Health Initiatives

TRICARE Assistance Program (TRIAP)

• Eligibles include ADSMs, ADFMs, TAMP-eligibles, and those enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select in United States

• Counselors provide short-term, problem solving counseling

• Clinical aspect to counseling but no diagnosis made

• Services provided using demonstration project authority

• Reports include beneficiary visits and mental health v-codes

TRICARE: Web-Based Mental Health Initiatives

Telemedicine Network Development

• Currently a TRICARE-authorized benefit

• Originating Site and distant provider development for mental health care

• Originating Sites are TRICARE-authorized facilities where beneficiaries go to receive care

• Distant providers are TRICARE-authorized providers who treat the beneficiary from their office

• Originating sites and distant providers will file claims and receive reimbursement

TRICARE: Web-Based Mental Health Initiatives

TRICARE: Web-Based Mental Health Initiatives

Implementation • June 1 Change Order provided initial requirement

to contractor

• July 2 Change Order further clarified requirements

• July 24 Demonstration Notice published in the Federal Register

• August 1 TRIAP operational in all regions

• 251 telemedicine originating sites have been identified, additional network development is ongoing