HR3148-119

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Supporting America’s Leaders Undergoing Tough Expenses Act or the SALUTE Act.

2. Pilot program to assist certain members of the Armed Forces and dependents with additional supplemental coverage relating to cancer Not later than September 30, 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a pilot program under which a covered individual may obtain supplemental insurance for noncovered expenses under a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan described in subsection (b)(1). In carrying out the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with not more than two companies to each offer one or more fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plans that— meet the requirements for a supplemental insurance plan under section 199.2 of title 32, Code of Federal Regulations, and the exception in section 199.8(b)(4) of such title, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; are provided under a separate policy, certificate, or contract; provide no coordination with any other health benefit plan; and are designed to help participants pay noncovered expenses. An agreement entered into under paragraph (1) shall be for a period of at least three years. In entering an agreement under paragraph (1) with a company, the Secretary— may not select the company unless the company is licensed in each State; shall award the contract based on the expertise of the company; shall negotiate the terms and conditions of the fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the contract, including with respect to the ability of the company to communicate with individuals not enrolled in the plan and whether such communication may include information on other insurance products; shall negotiate the cost of coverage with the company that will cover the participants who elect to enroll in such plan; shall provide a method for verification of the eligibility of applicants and procedures for determination of eligibility; and shall provide a method for payroll deduction of premiums. The Secretary shall provide information to covered individuals regarding the pilot program under subsection (a) by making available on the online portal of the TRICARE program the following information: A notice of availability of a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the pilot program. A description of how to enroll in such plan. A description and explanation of the benefits provided under such plan. A description of the costs to the individual through premiums and remittances to a company providing such plan. A covered individual may elect to enroll in a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the pilot program under subsection (a). None of the amounts authorized to be appropriated by this Act to carry out the pilot program may be used to subsidize the cost of a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the pilot program under subsection (a). For purposes of the pilot program under subsection (a), companies selected to carry out the activities in subsection (b) shall not be considered contractors of the Federal Government. The provisions of this section shall supersede the laws of any State except with respect to State laws relating to licensing of an insurance company or plan solvency of such a company. Not later than three years after the date on which the pilot program under subsection (a) commences, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report regarding such pilot program, including the following: A description of the insurance products provided through a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the pilot program under subsection (a). The number of covered individuals who enrolled in such a plan. Feedback and examples of use cases by such individuals. A determination by the Secretary with respect to whether such pilot program should be made permanent. Unless the Secretary makes a determination under subsection (g)(4) to make the pilot program under subsection (a) permanent, the pilot program under subsection (a) shall terminate on the day that is five years after the date of the enactment of this Act. In this section: The term covered individual means the following: A member of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force. A dependent (as defined in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code) of such a member who is enrolled in the TRICARE program. The term noncovered expense means, with respect to a covered individual, any expenses relating to the screening for and diagnosis and treatment of cancer that are not otherwise covered by the health care benefits the individuals receives under chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code. The term State has the meaning given such term in section 901 of title 32, United States Code. The term TRICARE program has the meaning given that term in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code.