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AUTISM THERAPY CUTS? TRICARE REIMBURSEMENTS WON’T CHANGE—FOR NOW


In early October, DoD announced it would delay its plan to cut TRICARE payments in half for providers who work with autistic children. T e Pentagon announced that it was simplifying three


existing policies to treat benefi ciaries with an Autism Spec- trum Disorder (ASD) with the implementation of the Comprehensive Autism Care Demonstration. Previously, benefi ciaries received Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) services through basic TRICARE coverage, the ECHO Autism Demonstration, or the ABA Pilot program. In September DoD surprised everyone by announcing that it will be slashing payments for autism services between 40 and 55 percent, from $125 an hour to somewhere between $50 to $68 an hour. Additionally, the program carries a 10 percent cost-share for participants, although active-duty members and their families are exempt. T e changes, which were supposed to take eff ect on Oct. 20, created uproar in the military community where an estimated 23,000 military dependents, including children of active-duty, Guard, and Reserve families are aff ected by autism. Reacting quickly to the outcry, DoD offi cials announced it would delay pay- ment cuts until April 2015, and conduct an independent review of the Demonstration. According to the DoD’s notice summary in the Federal


Register, “currently, there are no established uniform ABA coverage standards in the United States.” AFSA views the decision to “backup and regroup” as a positive sign, and we plan to work with department offi cials to ensure that any fi nal policy meets the needs of families, aligns with best medical practices, and, most important, provides timely and aff ordable services for military benefi ciaries.


ROLLOVER LEGISLATION THE FATE OF NOT-YET-PASSED BILLS


With less than a month remaining in the year and this Congress, it is a good time to remind our members that all congressional legislation that is not passed prior to the end of a numbered Congress dies. Each numbered Con- gress lasts two years. T e 113th Congress ends at the end of the current session. T e 114th Congress will begin in January 2014. Since all pending legislation expires at the end of a Congress, eff orts still being pursued will need to be reintroduced. For example, if Congress does not pass the “Retired Pay Restoration Act” (H.R. 303) this year, that legislation will terminate at the end of 2014. If that is the


case, there is little doubt that Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) will continue to champion the issue and reintroduce this House legislation. On the Senate side, we would expect that Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) would do the same with his S. 234, the “Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2013.” If one or both elected offi cials did not return for the next Congress, another bill sponsor would have to pick up the mantle. Also, since bills are numbered, starting with “1,” by introduction, unless members of Congress have made specifi c arrange- ments to carry over the same bill number, the legislation could appear with a diff erent bill number. We will keep our members informed about the status of important legislation and remind them to urge reintroduction of key bills that are not passed this year.


NEW NUKE MEDAL


MEDAL, DEVICE TO BE AWARDED RETROACTIVELY


Offi cials at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, recently released details on the newly approved Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal (NDOSM). The medal may be awarded to Airmen who worked


in support of


the Nuclear Enterprise for 120 consecutive days or 179 nonconsecutive days; were subject to a nuclear inspection; or who performed duties in one of 15 key function areas. An “N” device also will be conferred upon by deserving Airmen, including those dispatched to a missile complex and those performing duties in direct support of aircraft with nuclear weap- ons. These roles include nuclear-certifi ed aircrew, aircraft maintenance technicians, munitions maintenance technicians, combat crew com- munications, nuclear-certifi ed controllers, and security forces performing guard duties. Eligibility is retroactive to Dec. 27, 1991, for active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, retired and separated Airmen, and fam- ily of deceased Airmen. Those who believe they qualify for the NDOSM can apply on the myPers website (https://mypers.af.mil).


AFSA Magazine • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 11


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