Final answer:
Healthcare providers can deny non-emergent medical care to individuals who are not listed as eligible in the DEERS system. However, emergency medical care must be provided regardless of DEERS status.
Step-by-step explanation:
Entities responsible for managing access to military health benefits, such as hospitals or military treatment facilities, are able to deny requested non-emergent medical care due to DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) ineligibility. DEERS is a database for service members, retirees, 100% VA disabled veterans, and their dependents for the purpose of receiving military service benefits. Failure to be enrolled in DEERS can result in a lack of access to these benefits, which means health care providers can refuse non-emergency medical services if the individual is not listed as eligible in the DEERS system. However, federal law does require the provision of emergency medical care regardless of the patient's ability to pay or DEERS status.