119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 873
H.R. 873 modifies how the Department of Defense reimburses healthcare providers under TRICARE, the health insurance program for military members, retirees, and their families. The bill requires the military to base payment rates on the specific location where care is provided—such as a hospital inpatient facility, hospital outpatient department, ambulatory surgery center, or doctor's office—rather than treating all providers the same regardless of location. When multiple reimbursement rates are available for the same service, the Secretary of Defense must pay the lowest authorized rate. The bill also requires claims to include unique location-specific provider identification codes to track where services were actually delivered. These changes take effect on January 1, 2026.