Beginning in 1979, there was a phased intensified enrollment of beneficiaries in the contiguous 48 United States. In 1983 Alaska and Hawaii were subjected to an intensified enrollment. There are plans for facilities in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Panama to be brought into the DEERS system during 1985, with other overseas activities to begin DEERS enrollment in 1986.

The intensified enrollment project occurred through completion and submission of a special DD-1172, Application for Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card. Present enrollment is accomplished likewise for the seven uniformed services covered by DEERS (Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). That is, when a new ID card is obtained for a member’s dependents, a copy of the identification card application is sent to the DEERS office in Monterey, California, or the personnel office may accomplish an on-line update if they have access to a DEERS computer terminal. Active duty members are enrolled by their respective finance centers. If problems exist within a patient’s data base, active duty personnel and their dependents are to be referred to the sponsor’s personnel office. All other beneficiaries are to be referred to the nearest personnel office.

Direct Care System Procedures

Effective 1 October 1984, the DEERS checking policy was expanded to include a dental policy based upon beneficiary information versus the previous policy that was based upon sponsor information. This was due in part to the increased accuracy of the data base as well as to the percentage of personnel enrolled. As an example, at the time of the change there were approximately 2,850,000 Navy and Marine Corps (active and retired) personnel, their dependents, and survivors enrolled.

Although DEERS and the ID card system are related, there are instances where the beneficiary is in possession of a valid ID card and the DEERS system shows the patient as ineligible or the beneficiary is not in the DEERS data base. In these instances, eligibility verification using the ID card shall not override DEERS without some other type of collateral documentation. It must be stressed that military treatment facilities (MTFs) are to verify eligibility. Establishment of eligibility is under the cognizance of the respective service personnel offices.

Patients who present for nonemergency treatment without a valid ID card but are in the DEERS data base will not be provided medical care without first signing a statement that they are eligible and giving the reason why a valid ID card is not in their possession. If a valid ID card is not provided within 30 calendar days, the patient is referred for billing as a Civilian Humanitarian Nonindigent in accordance with the Resources Management Handbook, NAVMED P-5020, Such billing may be delayed if the commanding officer of the facility is convinced proof is delayed for reasons beyond the control of the patient or sponsor. In all cases where a patient presents without an ID card and does not appear in the DEERS data base, nonemergency care will be denied.

Patients presenting for treatment must be processed in accordance with DEERS checking requirements of 25 percent of outpatient visits, 100 percent of admissions, 100 percent of pharmacy outpatients presenting new prescriptions written by civilian providers, and 100 percent of nonactive duty patients at dental treatment facilities in areas designated as dentally under served. Prospective checks are to be used to the