§1074j Sub-acute Care Program

Summary

The Secretary of Defense must set up a sub-acute care benefits program that is effective, efficient, and coordinated. The kinds of health care it covers are the same as those in section 1079 of this title unless this program says otherwise. The Secretary must consult the other administering Secretaries and create rules to run the program. The program must include a uniform skilled nursing facility benefit provided under section 1861(h) and (i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(h) and (i)), but the day limits in section 1812(a) and (b) (42 U.S.C. 1395d(a) and (b)) do not apply, so care lasts as long as medically needed. Definitions: skilled nursing facility — see section 1819(a) (42 U.S.C. 1395i–3(a)); spell of illness — see section 1861(a) (42 U.S.C. 1395x(a)). The program also includes part‑time or intermittent home health care under section 1861(m) (42 U.S.C. 1395x(m)). The Secretary may take steps, including extending benefits, to make sure people already getting home health care move to the new program smoothly.