Evaluation required Sample Clauses

Evaluation required. The Secretary of De- fense shall arrange for an on-going evaluation of the ef- fectiveness of the TRICARE program in meeting the goals of increasing the access of covered beneficiaries under chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, to health care and improving the quality of health care provided to covered beneficiaries, without increasing the costs incurred by the Government or covered bene- ficiaries. The evaluation shall specifically— (1) address the impact of the TRICARE program on members of the Armed Forces (whether in the reg- ular or reserve components) and their dependents, military retirees and their dependents, and depend- ents of members on active duty with severe disabil- ities and chronic health care needs with regard to ac- cess, costs, and quality of health care services; (2) identify noncatchment areas in which the health maintenance organization option of the TRICARE program is available or is proposed to be- come available; and (3) address patient safety, quality of care, and ac- cess to care at military medical treatment facilities, including— (A) an identification of the number of practi- tioners providing health care in military medical treatment facilities that were reported to the Na- tional Practitioner Data Bank during the year pre- ceding the evaluation; and ‘‘(B) with respect to each military medical treat- ment facility, an assessment of— (i) the current accreditation status of such fa- cility, including any recommendations for correc- tive action made by the relevant accrediting body; (ii) any policies or procedures implemented during such year by the Secretary of the military department concerned that were designed to im- prove patient safety, quality of care, and access to care at such facility; (iii) data on surgical and maternity care out- comes during such year; (iv) data on appointment wait times during such year; and (v) data on patient safety, quality of care, and access to care as compared to standards estab- lished by the Department of Defense with respect to patient safety, quality of care, and access to care.