Congress Passes Legislation to Cut CHAMPUS Mental Health Benefits

OPEN MINDS The Behavioral Health & Social Service Industry Analyst Industry News During the first week of November 1990, Congress passed the Department of Defense Authorization Conference Report which reduced the inpatient mental health benefits of the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) The bill, H.R. 4739, also cut benefits for residential care. President Bush has indicated that he will sign the legislation, which will be effective February 15, 1991. Present CHAMPUS behavioral health benefits include: 60 inpatient days per year, with a per diem dollar cap on payment to hospitals, utilization management, and a . . .