Review of disclosure requirements under processes and forms relating to health care provider credentialing and privileging of Department of Defense

(a) Review (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall review all processes and forms relating to health care provider credentialing and privileging of covered applicants to ensure that each individual who provides health care independently as a health-care professional at a health care facility of the Department of Defense meets the requirement of section 1094(a) of title 10, United States Code. (2) Centralized credential system In carrying out section 1094(b) of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary shall establish a centralized credential system that allows the commanding officer of a health care facility of the Department to verify the licensure of a health care professional, regardless of the location of the facility or the Armed Force in which the health care professional serves. The Secretary shall ensure that not less than 90 percent of such verifications are completed within seven days of the date on which the commanding officer requests such verification if the request does not relate to a health-care professional with an adverse record. (b) Report Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing the following: (1) The findings of the review required under subsection (a). (2) A detailed plan outlining steps the Secretary has taken or will take pursuant to such review, including a timeline for completion of such steps. (c) Covered applicant defined In this section, the term covered applicant means an applicant for a position as a health-care professional (as defined in section 1094 of title 10, United States Code) who— (1) is required to go through a credentialing and privileging process; and (2) provides care— (A) at a health care facility of the Department of Defense; or (B) through the civilian network of the TRICARE program (as defined in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code).