Each TRICARE Manual posted on the website incorporates all published changes. Although changes are published, they are not implemented by the contractors until they receive direction to do so by the Contracting Officer. Each TRICARE Manual on the web incorporates all changes by the date of publication. Although changes are published, they may not be implemented by the contractor until directed to do so by the Contracting Officer.

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The TRICARE Policy Manual (TPM) is incorporated by reference in the Managed Care Support Contracts (MCSCs) and is the primary vehicle for policy and benefit guidelines and instructions. The TPM provides a mechanism for keeping the contracts current by clarifying or modifying existing contractual requirements, adding new specifications/requirements and deleting obsolete information. The TPM, in conjunction with the April 2015 TRICARE Reimbursement Manual (TRM), provides guidance, policy interpretations and decisions implementing TRICARE, including those policies and procedures applicable to the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). The TPM contains operational policy necessary to implement Title 32 to the Code of Federal Regulations Part 199 (32 CFR 199). This manual augments the 32 CFR 199 and must be used in conjunction, for complete policy information.