TRICARE, the insurance for the uniformed services, has released a proposed rule today that would change coverage for the insurance system. The proposed rule includes covering exams for sexual assault or domestic violence. While the costs of these are often shared by the private co-insurance, some victims of assault were getting billed for the exams. The coverage sheet reads:
However, there is a dual
purpose of the examination process. One purpose is to address the needs of the
individual disclosing sexual assault, which include evaluating and treating injuries;
conducting prompt examinations; providing support, crisis intervention, and
advocacy; providing prophylaxis against sexually transmitted diseases;
assessing female patients for pregnancy risk and discussing treatment options,
including reproductive health services; and providing follow-up care for
medical and emotional needs. The other purpose is to address justice system
needs. The needs for justice system are: obtaining a history of the assault,
documenting exam findings, properly collecting, handling, and preserving
evidence, and interpreting and analyzing findings (post exam) and subsequently,
presenting findings and providing factual and expert opinion related to the
exam and evidence collection.
I like that the proposed rule addresses both a psychological intervention, and a pursuit of justice.
At the link to the proposed rule are instructions for how to weigh in - please feel free.