•-•^-rf.4?-*^ PUBLIC LAW 105-85—NOV. 18, 1997 111 STAT. 1813 (2) of section 1076c(c) of such title. The report shall describe the extent to which premium collections are made under such paragraphs through deductions and withholding from pay. (d) LIMITATION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF ALTERNATIVE COLLEC- TION PROCEDURES. —The Secretary of Defense may not implement procedures for collecting premiums under section 1076b(b)(3) of title 10, United States Code, or section 1076c(c)(2) of such title other than by deductions and withholding from pay until 120 days after the date that the Secretary submits a report to Congress describing the justifications for implementing such alternative procedures. (e) EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF DENTAL INSURANCE PLAN FOR MILITARY RETIREES. —Section 703(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 (Public Law 104-201; 110 Stat. 2590) is amended by striking "October 1, 1997" and inserting "April 1, 1998". SEC. 734. DENTAL INSURANCE PLAN COVERAGE FOR RETIREES OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE AND NOAA. (a) ELIGIBILITY,—(1) Subsection (a) of section 1076c of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking out "military retirees" and inserting in lieu thereof "retirees of the uniformed services". (2) Subsection (b)(1) of such section is amended by striking out "Armed Forces" and inserting in lieu thereof "uniformed services". (b) OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE. — (1) Subsection (a) of such section (as amended by subsection (a)) is further amended by inserting ", in consultation with the other administering Secretaries," after "Secretary of Defense". (2) Subsection (h) of such section is amended by striking out "Secretary of Transportation" and inserting in lieu thereof "other administering Secretaries". SEC. 735. CONSISTENCY BETWEEN CHAMPUS AND MEDICARE IN PAY- MENT RATES FOR SERVICES. (a) CONFORMITY BETWEEN RATES.—Section 1079(h) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking out paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) and inserting in lieu thereof the following new paragraph: "(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), pa5nrnent for a charge for services by an individual health care professional (or other noninstitutional health care provider) for which a claim is submitted under a plan contracted for under subsection (a) shall be equal to an amount determined to be appropriate, to the extent practicable, in accordance with the same reimbursement rules as apply to payments for similar services under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.). The Secretary of Defense shall determine the appropriate payment amount under this paragraph in consultation with the other administering Secretaries.". (b) REDUCED RATES AUTHORIZED. —Paragraph (5) of such section is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: "With the consent of the health care provider, the Secretary is also authorized to reduce the authorized payment for certain health care services below the amount otherwise required by the payment limitations under paragraph (1).". 10 USC 1076b note. 10 USC 1076c note.
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