(a) Eligible beneficiaries. After separation from the service under honorable conditions because of pregnancy, or separated from the service under honorable conditions and found to have been pregnant at the time of separation, the following former members and their newborn infant(s) may be provided care as set forth below. The rendering of this care is subject to the provisions of Sec. 728.3. When certified by medical authorities that the pregnancy existed prior to entry into service (EPTE), maternity benefits are not authorized.
(1) Former women members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.
(2) On or after 12 August 1985, former women members of the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
(b) Care authorized. (1) Former women members may be rendered medical and surgical care in naval MTFs incident to that pregnancy, prenatal care, hospitalization, postnatal care, and, when requirements of SECNAVINST 6300.2A are met, abortions. Limit postnatal care to 6 weeks following delivery. Do not promise civilian sources under any circumstances for either the mother or the infant as such care is not authorized.
(1) Former women members may be rendered medical and surgical care in naval MTFs incident to that pregnancy, prenatal care, hospitalization, postnatal care, and, when requirements of SECNAVINST 6300.2A are met, abortions. Limit postnatal care to 6 weeks following delivery. Do not promise civilian sources under any circumstances for either the mother or the infant as such care is not authorized.
(2) Treatment of the newborn infant in USMTFs includes care, both inpatient and outpatient, only during the first 6 weeks (42 days) following delivery. If the newborn infant requires care beyond the 6-weeks postnatal period, the mother or other responsible family member must make arrangements for disposition to private, State, welfare, or another Federal facility.
(c) Application for care. In making application for care authorized by this section, former women members should apply either in person or in writing to the Armed Forces inpatient MTF nearest their home and present either their DD 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) or DD 256A (Honorable Discharge Certificate) as proof of eligibility for requested care. In areas with more than one Armed Forces MTF available and capable of providing required care, application should be made to the MTF of the service from which separated, as applicable. Disengagement in such areas to MTFs of other services may be made only when space is not available or capability does not exist in the MTF of the services from which the individual was separated.
(d) Charges and collection. Charges and reimbursement procedures for care rendered to beneficiaries in paragraph (a)(2) of this section are the same as prescribed by current regulations for active Coast Guard, USPHS, and NOAA members.