[Federal Register: November 25, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 227)] [Notices] [Page 65179] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr25no98-56] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary TRICARE; the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS); Specialized Treatment Services (STS) Program AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DoD. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice is to advise interested parties that Keesler Medical Center, Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi, has been designated a regional Specialized Treatment Services Facility (STSF) for TRICARE Region Four. The application for this STSF designation was submitted by the Lead Agent for TRICARE Region Four and approved by the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs). The Lead Agent will ensure that the STSF maintains the quality and standards required for specialized treatment services. This designation covers the following Diagnostic Related Groups: 001--Craniotomy, Age Greater than 17, Except for Trauma 003--Craniotomy, Age, 0-17 004--Spinal Procedures 049--Major Head and Neck Procedures 191--Pancreas, Liver and Shunt Procedures with CC 209--Major Joint and Limb Reattachment Procedures of Lower Extremity 286--Adrenal and Pituitary Procedures 357--Uterine and Adnexa Procedures for Ovarian or Adnexal Malignancy 491--Major joint and Limb Reattachment Procedures of Upper Extremity Keesler Medical Center continues to be an STS facility for Cardiac Surgery (DRG 104, DRG 105, DRG 106, DRG 107, DRG 108, DRG 110, DRG 111, DRG 112, DRG 124, DRG 125); Complicated Obstetrics (DRG 370, DRG 372, DRG 383); and Neonatal care (DRG 604, DRG 607, DRG 611, DRG 612, DRG 613, DRG 617, DRG 618, DRG 622, DRG 626, DRG 636). Travel and lodging for the patient and, if stated to be medically necessary by a referring physician, for one nonmedical attendant, will be reimbursed by Keesler Medical Center in accordance with the provisions of the Joint Federal Travel Regulation. DoD beneficiaries who reside in the Regional STS Catchment Area for TRICARE Region Four must be evaluated by Keesler Medical Center before receiving TRICARE/ CHAMPUS cost sharing for procedures that fall under the above Diagnosis Related Groups. Evaluation in person in preferred, and travel and lodging expenses for the evaluation will be reimbursed as stated above. It is possible to conduct the evaluation telephonically if the patient is unable to travel to Keesler Medical Center. If the procedure cannot be performed at Keesler Medical Center, the facility will provide a medical necessity review prior to issuance of a Nonavailability Statement. The Regional STS Catchment Area covering TRICARE Region four is defined by zip codes in the Defense Medical Information System STS Facilities Catchment Area Directory. The Catchment Area includes zip codes within TRICARE Region Four that fall within a 200 mile radius of Keesler Medical Center. EFFECTIVE DATE: March 1, 1999. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Captain David Johnson, Keesler Medical Center, (228) 377-7685; or Colonel Joe Taylor, Office of the Lead Agent, TRICARE Region Four, (228) 377-9643; or Lieutenant Colonel Teresa Sommese, TRICARE Management Activity, (703) 681-3628, extension 5029; or Mr. Tariq Shahid, TRICARE Management Activity, (303) 676-3801. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In FR DOC 93-27050, appearing in the Federal Register on November 5, 1993 (Vol. 58, FR 58955-58964), the final rule on the STS Program was published. Included in the final rule was a provision that a notice of all military and civilian STS facilities be published in the Federal Register annually. This notice is issued under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 1105 and 32 CFR 199.4(a)(10). Dated: November 19, 1998. L.M. Bynum, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 98-31420 Filed 11-24-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5000-04-M