Sec. 734. Pilot program to assist certain members of the Armed Forces and dependents with additional supplemental coverage relating to cancer
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Not later than September 30, 2027, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a pilot program under which a covered individual may obtain supplemental insurance for noncovered expenses under a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan described in subsection (b)(1) (in this section referred to as the pilot program ). The Secretary shall carry out such program until the date on which the last agreement terminates pursuant to subsection (b)(2). In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with not fewer than two companies to each offer one or more fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plans that— meet the requirements for a supplemental insurance plan under section 199.2 of title 32, Code of Federal Regulations, and the exceptions under section 199.8(b)(4) of such title, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; are provided under a separate policy, certificate, or contract; and are designed to help participants pay noncovered expenses.
An agreement entered into under paragraph
(1)shall be for a period of not more than three years, and may not be renewed. The Secretary shall provide information to covered individuals regarding the pilot program by making available on a publicly accessible internet website the following information: A notice of availability of a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the pilot program. A description of how to enroll in such plan. A description and explanation of such plan, including the diagnoses, screenings, and treatments covered by the plan. A description of the costs to the individual through premiums and remittances to a company providing such plan. A notice that— the availability of a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the pilot program does not affect the health care benefits provided to covered individuals under the TRICARE program; and covered individuals are not required to purchase such a plan in order to receive health care benefits covered under the TRICARE program. A covered individual may elect to enroll in a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the pilot program. The Secretary shall establish procedures to determine the eligibility of applicants seeking to enroll in a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the pilot program. None of the amounts authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 or any fiscal year thereafter to carry out the pilot program may be used to subsidize the cost of a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the pilot program. Not later than one year after the date on which the pilot program commences and annually thereafter during the life of the pilot program, the Secretary shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a briefing regarding the pilot program, including the following: A description of the insurance products provided through a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the pilot program. The number of covered individuals who enrolled in such a plan. Feedback and examples of use cases by such individuals. A determination by the Secretary with respect to whether the pilot program should be made permanent. In this section: The term covered individual means the following: A member of the regular component of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force. A dependent (as defined in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code) of such a member who is enrolled in the TRICARE program. The term noncovered expense means, with respect to a covered individual, any expenses relating to the screening for and diagnosis and treatment of cancer that are not otherwise covered by the health care benefits the individuals receives under chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, or any other benefit provided by the Secretary of Defense. The term TRICARE program has the meaning given that term in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code.