Who must approve enrollment in the TRICARE Plus program?

The approval for enrollment in the TRICARE Plus program must be given by the military hospital or clinic commander. This is because the commander has the authority over the facility and its operations, including the management of enrollment into TRICARE Plus. This program is specifically designed to provide primary care services to eligible beneficiaries at military treatment facilities, and thus, only those in charge can determine who is accepted based on the resources and patient capacity of that facility. The commander's decision ensures that the program aligns with the needs and operational capabilities of the healthcare facility.

Other entities, such as regional contractors or the Defense Health Agency, may have roles related to the broader management of TRICARE programs but do not have direct authority over enrollment decisions for TRICARE Plus. The Department of Defense oversees TRICARE as a whole but delegates the specific enrollment responsibilities to individual military command structures.