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<REGINFO_RIN_DATA xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" RUN_DATE="2026-04-28-04:00" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/xml/REGINFO_XML_Ver10262011.xsd">
    <RIN_INFO>
        <RIN>0720-AB24</RIN>
        <PUBLICATION>
            <PUBLICATION_ID>200904</PUBLICATION_ID>
            <PUBLICATION_TITLE>Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions</PUBLICATION_TITLE>
        </PUBLICATION>
        <AGENCY>
            <CODE>0720</CODE>
            <NAME>Office of Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>DODOASHA</ACRONYM>
        </AGENCY>
        <PARENT_AGENCY>
            <CODE>0700</CODE>
            <NAME>Department of Defense</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>DOD</ACRONYM>
        </PARENT_AGENCY>
        <RULE_TITLE>TRICARE; Morbid Obesity</RULE_TITLE>
        <ABSTRACT><![CDATA[This rule modifies the TRICARE program regulation on surgery for morbid obesity to allow benefit consideration for the newest bariatric surgical procedures that are considered appropriate medical care.  The rule does not expand the TRICARE benefit for morbid obesity surgery; however, it makes the specific procedures that are covered, and the clinical conditions for which coverage may be extended, a matter of policy.  This change is necessary under the current regulation because surgical procedures for morbid obesity, other than gastric bypass, gastric stapling, and gastroplasty, are not payable, even if the safety and efficacy of the procedures are comparable or superior to the established bariatric surgical procedures.  The law and regulation entitled TRICARE beneficiaries to medically necessary and appropriate carecare that is considered generally accepted norms for medical practice.]]></ABSTRACT>
        <PRIORITY_CATEGORY>Substantive, Nonsignificant</PRIORITY_CATEGORY>
        <RIN_STATUS>Previously Published in The Unified Agenda</RIN_STATUS>
        <RULE_STAGE>Proposed Rule Stage</RULE_STAGE>
        <MAJOR>No</MAJOR>
        <UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
            <UNFUNDED_MANDATE>No</UNFUNDED_MANDATE>
        </UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
        <CFR_LIST>
            <CFR>32 CFR 199</CFR>
        </CFR_LIST>
        <LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>5 USC 301</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>10 USC ch 55</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
        </LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
        <LEGAL_DLINE_LIST/>
        <RPLAN_ENTRY>No</RPLAN_ENTRY>
        <TIMETABLE_LIST>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>NPRM</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>11/00/2009</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
        </TIMETABLE_LIST>
        <RFA_REQUIRED>No</RFA_REQUIRED>
        <SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
            <SMALL_ENTITY>No</SMALL_ENTITY>
        </SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
        <GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
            <GOVT_LEVEL>None</GOVT_LEVEL>
        </GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
        <FEDERALISM>No</FEDERALISM>
        <ENERGY_AFFECTED>No</ENERGY_AFFECTED>
        <PRINT_PAPER>No</PRINT_PAPER>
        <INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>No</INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>
        <AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>Gail</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>Jones</LAST_NAME>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>0720</CODE>
                    <NAME>Office of Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>DODOASHA</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>303 676-3401</PHONE>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>1200 Defense Pentagon,</STREET_ADDRESS>
                    <CITY>Washington</CITY>
                    <STATE>DC</STATE>
                    <ZIP>20301</ZIP>
                </MAILING_ADDRESS>
            </CONTACT>
        </AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
    </RIN_INFO>
</REGINFO_RIN_DATA>
