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3.1.1  When discount agreements are available to the contractor, the contractor shall obtain such discounts for TRICARE reimbursement. Moreover, the contractor shall determine if any state in its jurisdiction has enacted legislation which implements a rate setting system which can be applied to TRICARE. If so, the contractor shall utilize the rates if this results in a lower cost to the Government. The contractor shall maintain documentation of its actions with regard to each state which shows how any discounts or state-set rates are used or the reasons they cannot be used.

3.1.2  The contractors may negotiate individual or collective agreements with providers to establish reimbursement methods.

3.1.3  The established reimbursement methods in 32 CFR 199.14, are required for those hospitals which are subject to them (Chapter 6, Section 4 and Chapter 7, Section 1). Therefore, none of the above agreements or procedures can be used for any hospital subject to the established reimbursement methods in 32 CFR 199.14. However, when the hospital participates with the contractor as a network provider, the established reimbursement method in 32 CFR 199.14, shall be further reduced by the negotiated (discount) rate.