1. U.S. Code
  2. title 42
  3. chapter 7
  4. subchapter XVIII
  5. part E
  6. § 1395zz

Collapse to view only § 1395zz. Provider education and technical assistance

§ 1395x. DefinitionsFor purposes of this subchapter—
(a) Spell of illnessThe term “spell of illness” with respect to any individual means a period of consecutive days—
(1) beginning with the first day (not included in a previous spell of illness) (A) on which such individual is furnished inpatient hospital services, inpatient critical access hospital services or extended care services, and (B) which occurs in a month for which he is entitled to benefits under part A, and
(2) ending with the close of the first period of 60 consecutive days thereafter on each of which he is neither an inpatient of a hospital or critical access hospital nor an inpatient of a facility described in section 1395i–3(a)(1) of this title or subsection (y)(1).
(b) Inpatient hospital servicesThe term “inpatient hospital services” means the following items and services furnished to an inpatient of a hospital and (except as provided in paragraph (3)) by the hospital—
(1) bed and board;
(2) such nursing services and other related services, such use of hospital facilities, and such medical social services as are ordinarily furnished by the hospital for the care and treatment of inpatients, and such drugs, biologicals, supplies, appliances, and equipment, for use in the hospital, as are ordinarily furnished by such hospital for the care and treatment of inpatients; and
(3) such other diagnostic or therapeutic items or services, furnished by the hospital or by others under arrangements with them made by the hospital, as are ordinarily furnished to inpatients either by such hospital or by others under such arrangements;
excluding, however—
(4) medical or surgical services provided by a physician, resident, or intern, services described by subsection (s)(2)(K), certified nurse-midwife services, qualified psychologist services, and services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist; and
(5) the services of a private-duty nurse or other private-duty attendant.
Paragraph (4) shall not apply to services provided in a hospital by—
(6) an intern or a resident-in-training under a teaching program approved by the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association or, in the case of an osteopathic hospital, approved by the Committee on Hospitals of the Bureau of Professional Education of the American Osteopathic Association, or, in the case of services in a hospital or osteopathic hospital by an intern or resident-in-training in the field of dentistry, approved by the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association, or in the case of services in a hospital or osteopathic hospital by an intern or resident-in-training in the field of podiatry, approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association; or
(7) a physician where the hospital has a teaching program approved as specified in paragraph (6), if (A) the hospital elects to receive any payment due under this subchapter for reasonable costs of such services, and (B) all physicians in such hospital agree not to bill charges for professional services rendered in such hospital to individuals covered under the insurance program established by this subchapter.
(c) Inpatient psychiatric hospital services
(d) Supplier
(e) HospitalThe term “hospital” (except for purposes of sections 1395f(d), 1395f(f), and 1395n(b) of this title, subsection (a)(2) of this section, paragraph (7) of this subsection, and subsection (i) of this section) means an institution which—
(1) is primarily engaged in providing, by or under the supervision of physicians, to inpatients (A) diagnostic services and therapeutic services for medical diagnosis, treatment, and care of injured, disabled, or sick persons, or (B) rehabilitation services for the rehabilitation of injured, disabled, or sick persons;
(2) maintains clinical records on all patients;
(3) has bylaws in effect with respect to its staff of physicians;
(4) has a requirement that every patient with respect to whom payment may be made under this subchapter must be under the care of a physician, except that a patient receiving qualified psychologist services (as defined in subsection (ii)) may be under the care of a clinical psychologist with respect to such services to the extent permitted under State law;
(5) provides 24-hour nursing service rendered or supervised by a registered professional nurse, and has a licensed practical nurse or registered professional nurse on duty at all times; except that until January 1, 1979, the Secretary is authorized to waive the requirement of this paragraph for any one-year period with respect to any institution, insofar as such requirement relates to the provision of twenty-four-hour nursing service rendered or supervised by a registered professional nurse (except that in any event a registered professional nurse must be present on the premises to render or supervise the nursing service provided, during at least the regular daytime shift), where immediately preceding such one-year period he finds that—
(A) such institution is located in a rural area and the supply of hospital services in such area is not sufficient to meet the needs of individuals residing therein,
(B) the failure of such institution to qualify as a hospital would seriously reduce the availability of such services to such individuals, and
(C) such institution has made and continues to make a good faith effort to comply with this paragraph, but such compliance is impeded by the lack of qualified nursing personnel in such area;
(6)
(A) has in effect a hospital utilization review plan which meets the requirements of subsection (k) and (B) has in place a discharge planning process that meets the requirements of subsection (ee);
(7) in the case of an institution in any State in which State or applicable local law provides for the licensing of hospitals, (A) is licensed pursuant to such law or (B) is approved, by the agency of such State or locality responsible for licensing hospitals, as meeting the standards established for such licensing;
(8) has in effect an overall plan and budget that meets the requirements of subsection (z); and
(9) meets such other requirements as the Secretary finds necessary in the interest of the health and safety of individuals who are furnished services in the institution.
For purposes of subsection (a)(2), such term includes any institution which meets the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection. For purposes of sections 1395f(d) and 1395n(b) of this title (including determination of whether an individual received inpatient hospital services or diagnostic services for purposes of such sections), section 1395f(f)(2) of this title, and subsection (i) of this section, such term includes any institution which (i) meets the requirements of paragraphs (5) and (7) of this subsection, (ii) is not primarily engaged in providing the services described in subsection (j)(1)(A) and (iii) is primarily engaged in providing, by or under the supervision of individuals referred to in paragraph (1) of subsection (r), to inpatients diagnostic services and therapeutic services for medical diagnosis, treatment, and care of injured, disabled, or sick persons, or rehabilitation services for the rehabilitation of injured, disabled, or sick persons. For purposes of section 1395f(f)(1) of this title, such term includes an institution which (i) is a hospital for purposes of sections 1395f(d), 1395f(f)(2), and 1395n(b) of this title and (ii) is accredited by a national accreditation body recognized by the Secretary under section 1395bb(a) of this title, or is accredited by or approved by a program of the country in which such institution is located if the Secretary finds the accreditation or comparable approval standards of such program to be essentially equivalent to those of such a national accreditation body..1
1 So in original.
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subsection, such term shall not, except for purposes of subsection (a)(2), include any institution which is primarily for the care and treatment of mental diseases unless it is a psychiatric hospital (as defined in subsection (f)). The term “hospital” also includes a religious nonmedical health care institution (as defined in subsection (ss)(1)), but only with respect to items and services ordinarily furnished by such institution to inpatients, and payment may be made with respect to services provided by or in such an institution only to such extent and under such conditions, limitations, and requirements (in addition to or in lieu of the conditions, limitations, and requirements otherwise applicable) as may be provided in regulations consistent with section 1395i–5 of this title. For provisions deeming certain requirements of this subsection to be met in the case of accredited institutions, see section 1395bb of this title. The term “hospital” also includes a facility of fifty beds or less which is located in an area determined by the Secretary to meet the definition relating to a rural area described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5) of this subsection and which meets the other requirements of this subsection, except that—
(A) with respect to the requirements for nursing services applicable after December 31, 1978, such requirements shall provide for temporary waiver of the requirements, for such period as the Secretary deems appropriate, where (i) the facility’s failure to fully comply with the requirements is attributable to a temporary shortage of qualified nursing personnel in the area in which the facility is located, (ii) a registered professional nurse is present on the premises to render or supervise the nursing service provided during at least the regular daytime shift, and (iii) the Secretary determines that the employment of such nursing personnel as are available to the facility during such temporary period will not adversely affect the health and safety of patients;
(B) with respect to the health and safety requirements promulgated under paragraph (9), such requirements shall be applied by the Secretary to a facility herein defined in such manner as to assure that personnel requirements take into account the availability of technical personnel and the educational opportunities for technical personnel in the area in which such facility is located, and the scope of services rendered by such facility; and the Secretary, by regulations, shall provide for the continued participation of such a facility where such personnel requirements are not fully met, for such period as the Secretary determines that (i) the facility is making good faith efforts to fully comply with the personnel requirements, (ii) the employment by the facility of such personnel as are available to the facility will not adversely affect the health and safety of patients, and (iii) if the Secretary has determined that because of the facility’s waiver under this subparagraph the facility should limit its scope of services in order not to adversely affect the health and safety of the facility’s patients, the facility is so limiting the scope of services it provides; and
(C) with respect to the fire and safety requirements promulgated under paragraph (9), the Secretary (i) may waive, for such period as he deems appropriate, specific provisions of such requirements which if rigidly applied would result in unreasonable hardship for such a facility and which, if not applied, would not jeopardize the health and safety of patients, and (ii) may accept a facility’s compliance with all applicable State codes relating to fire and safety in lieu of compliance with the fire and safety requirements promulgated under paragraph (9), if he determines that such State has in effect fire and safety codes, imposed by State law, which adequately protect patients.
The term “hospital” does not include, unless the context otherwise requires, a critical access hospital (as defined in subsection (mm)(1)) or a rural emergency hospital (as defined in subsection (kkk)(2)).
(f) Psychiatric hospitalThe term “psychiatric hospital” means an institution which—
(1) is primarily engaged in providing, by or under the supervision of a physician, psychiatric services for the diagnosis and treatment of mentally ill persons;
(2) satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (3) through (9) of subsection (e);
(3) maintains clinical records on all patients and maintains such records as the Secretary finds to be necessary to determine the degree and intensity of the treatment provided to individuals entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A; and
(4) meets such staffing requirements as the Secretary finds necessary for the institution to carry out an active program of treatment for individuals who are furnished services in the institution.
In the case of an institution which satisfies paragraphs (1) and (2) of the preceding sentence and which contains a distinct part which also satisfies paragraphs (3) and (4) of such sentence, such distinct part shall be considered to be a “psychiatric hospital”.
(g) Outpatient occupational therapy services
(h) Extended care servicesThe term “extended care services” means the following items and services furnished to an inpatient of a skilled nursing facility and (except as provided in paragraphs (3), (6), and (7)) by such skilled nursing facility—
(1) nursing care provided by or under the supervision of a registered professional nurse;
(2) bed and board in connection with the furnishing of such nursing care;
(3) physical or occupational therapy or speech-language pathology services furnished by the skilled nursing facility or by others under arrangements with them made by the facility;
(4) medical social services;
(5) such drugs, biologicals, supplies, appliances, and equipment, furnished for use in the skilled nursing facility, as are ordinarily furnished by such facility for the care and treatment of inpatients;
(6) medical services provided by an intern or resident-in-training of a hospital with which the facility has in effect a transfer agreement (meeting the requirements of subsection (l)), under a teaching program of such hospital approved as provided in the last sentence of subsection (b), and other diagnostic or therapeutic services provided by a hospital with which the facility has such an agreement in effect; and
(7) such other services necessary to the health of the patients as are generally provided by skilled nursing facilities, or by others under arrangements with them made by the facility;
excluding, however, any item or service if it would not be included under subsection (b) if furnished to an inpatient of a hospital.
(i) Post-hospital extended care services
(j) Skilled nursing facility
(k) Utilization reviewA utilization review plan of a hospital or skilled nursing facility shall be considered sufficient if it is applicable to services furnished by the institution to individuals entitled to insurance benefits under this subchapter and if it provides—
(1) for the review, on a sample or other basis, of admissions to the institution, the duration of stays therein, and the professional services (including drugs and biologicals) furnished, (A) with respect to the medical necessity of the services, and (B) for the purpose of promoting the most efficient use of available health facilities and services;
(2) for such review to be made by either (A) a staff committee of the institution composed of two or more physicians (of which at least two must be physicians described in subsection (r)(1) of this section), with or without participation of other professional personnel, or (B) a group outside the institution which is similarly composed and (i) which is established by the local medical society and some or all of the hospitals and skilled nursing facilities in the locality, or (ii) if (and for as long as) there has not been established such a group which serves such institution, which is established in such other manner as may be approved by the Secretary;
(3) for such review, in each case of inpatient hospital services or extended care services furnished to such an individual during a continuous period of extended duration, as of such days of such period (which may differ for different classes of cases) as may be specified in regulations, with such review to be made as promptly as possible, after each day so specified, and in no event later than one week following such day; and
(4) for prompt notification to the institution, the individual, and his attending physician of any finding (made after opportunity for consultation to such attending physician) by the physician members of such committee or group that any further stay in the institution is not medically necessary.
The review committee must be composed as provided in clause (B) of paragraph (2) rather than as provided in clause (A) of such paragraph in the case of any hospital or skilled nursing facility where, because of the small size of the institution, or (in the case of a skilled nursing facility) because of lack of an organized medical staff, or for such other reason or reasons as may be included in regulations, it is impracticable for the institution to have a properly functioning staff committee for the purposes of this subsection. If the Secretary determines that the utilization review procedures established pursuant to subchapter XIX are superior in their effectiveness to the procedures required under this section, he may, to the extent that he deems it appropriate, require for purposes of this subchapter that the procedures established pursuant to subchapter XIX be utilized instead of the procedures required by this section.
(l) Agreements for transfer between skilled nursing facilities and hospitalsA hospital and a skilled nursing facility shall be considered to have a transfer agreement in effect if, by reason of a written agreement between them or (in case the two institutions are under common control) by reason of a written undertaking by the person or body which controls them, there is reasonable assurance that—
(1) transfer of patients will be effected between the hospital and the skilled nursing facility whenever such transfer is medically appropriate as determined by the attending physician; and
(2) there will be interchange of medical and other information necessary or useful in the care and treatment of individuals transferred between the institutions, or in determining whether such individuals can be adequately cared for otherwise than in either of such institutions.
Any skilled nursing facility which does not have such an agreement in effect, but which is found by a State agency (of the State in which such facility is situated) with which an agreement under section 1395aa of this title is in effect (or, in the case of a State in which no such agency has an agreement under section 1395aa of this title, by the Secretary) to have attempted in good faith to enter into such an agreement with a hospital sufficiently close to the facility to make feasible the transfer between them of patients and the information referred to in paragraph (2), shall be considered to have such an agreement in effect if and for so long as such agency (or the Secretary, as the case may be) finds that to do so is in the public interest and essential to assuring extended care services for persons in the community who are eligible for payments with respect to such services under this subchapter.
(m) Home health servicesThe term “home health services” means the following items and services furnished to an individual, who is under the care of a physician, a nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)), or a physician assistant (as defined in subsection (aa)(5)), by a home health agency or by others under arrangements with them made by such agency, under a plan (for furnishing such items and services to such individual) established and periodically reviewed by a physician, a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, or a physician assistant, which items and services are, except as provided in paragraph (7), provided on a visiting basis in a place of residence used as such individual’s home—
(1) part-time or intermittent nursing care provided by or under the supervision of a registered professional nurse;
(2) physical or occupational therapy or speech-language pathology services;
(3) medical social services under the direction of a physician, a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, or a physician assistant;
(4) to the extent permitted in regulations, part-time or intermittent services of a home health aide who has successfully completed a training program approved by the Secretary;
(5) medical supplies (including catheters, catheter supplies, ostomy bags, and supplies related to ostomy care, and a covered osteoporosis drug (as defined in subsection (kk)), but excluding other drugs and biologicals) and durable medical equipment and applicable disposable devices (as defined in section 1395m(s)(2) of this title) while under such a plan;
(6) in the case of a home health agency which is affiliated or under common control with a hospital, medical services provided by an intern or resident-in-training of such hospital, under a teaching program of such hospital approved as provided in the last sentence of subsection (b); and
(7) any of the foregoing items and services which are provided on an outpatient basis, under arrangements made by the home health agency, at a hospital or skilled nursing facility, or at a rehabilitation center which meets such standards as may be prescribed in regulations, and—
(A) the furnishing of which involves the use of equipment of such a nature that the items and services cannot readily be made available to the individual in such place of residence, or
(B) which are furnished at such facility while he is there to receive any such item or service described in clause (A),
but not including transportation of the individual in connection with any such item or service;
excluding, however, any item or service if it would not be included under subsection (b) if furnished to an inpatient of a hospital and home infusion therapy (as defined in subsection (iii)(i)). For purposes of paragraphs (1) and (4), the term “part-time or intermittent services” means skilled nursing and home health aide services furnished any number of days per week as long as they are furnished (combined) less than 8 hours each day and 28 or fewer hours each week (or, subject to review on a case-by-case basis as to the need for care, less than 8 hours each day and 35 or fewer hours per week). For purposes of sections 1395f(a)(2)(C) and 1395n(a)(2)(A) of this title, “intermittent” means skilled nursing care that is either provided or needed on fewer than 7 days each week, or less than 8 hours of each day for periods of 21 days or less (with extensions in exceptional circumstances when the need for additional care is finite and predictable).
(n) Durable medical equipmentThe term “durable medical equipment” includes iron lungs, oxygen tents, hospital beds, and wheelchairs (which may include a power-operated vehicle that may be appropriately used as a wheelchair, but only where the use of such a vehicle is determined to be necessary on the basis of the individual’s medical and physical condition and the vehicle meets such safety requirements as the Secretary may prescribe) used in the patient’s home (including an institution used as his home other than an institution that meets the requirements of subsection (e)(1) of this section or section 1395i–3(a)(1) of this title), whether furnished on a rental basis or purchased, and includes blood-testing strips and blood glucose monitors for individuals with diabetes without regard to whether the individual has Type I or Type II diabetes or to the individual’s use of insulin (as determined under standards established by the Secretary in consultation with the appropriate organizations) and eye tracking and gaze interaction accessories for speech generating devices furnished to individuals with a demonstrated medical need for such accessories; except that such term does not include such equipment furnished by a supplier who has used, for the demonstration and use of specific equipment, an individual who has not met such minimum training standards as the Secretary may establish with respect to the demonstration and use of such specific equipment. With respect to a seat-lift chair, such term includes only the seat-lift mechanism and does not include the chair. Beginning with the first calendar quarter beginning on or after the date that is 1 year after February 3, 2026, an external infusion pump and associated home infusion drug (as defined in subsection (iii)(3)(C)) or other associated supplies that do not meet the appropriate for use in the home requirement applied to the definition of durable medical equipment under section 414.202 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor to such regulation) shall be treated as meeting such requirement if each of the following criteria is satisfied:
(1) The prescribing information approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the home infusion drug associated with the pump instructs that the drug should be administered by or under the supervision of a health care professional.
(2) A qualified home infusion therapy supplier (as defined in subsection (iii)(3)(D)) administers or supervises the administration of the drug or biological in a safe and effective manner in the patient’s home (as defined in subsection (iii)(3)(B)).
(3) The prescribing information described in paragraph (1) instructs that the drug should be infused at least 12 times per year—
(A) intravenously or subcutaneously; or
(B) at infusion rates that the Secretary determines would require the use of an external infusion pump.
(o) Home health agencyThe term “home health agency” means a public agency or private organization, or a subdivision of such an agency or organization, which—
(1) is primarily engaged in providing skilled nursing services and other therapeutic services;
(2) has policies, established by a group of professional personnel (associated with the agency or organization), including one or more physicians, nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)), certified nurse-midwives (as defined in subsection (gg)), or physician assistants (as defined in subsection (aa)(5)) and one or more registered professional nurses, to govern the services (referred to in paragraph (1)) which it provides, and provides for supervision of such services by a physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, physician assistant, or registered professional nurse;
(3) maintains clinical records on all patients;
(4) in the case of an agency or organization in any State in which State or applicable local law provides for the licensing of agencies or organizations of this nature, (A) is licensed pursuant to such law, or (B) is approved, by the agency of such State or locality responsible for licensing agencies or organizations of this nature, as meeting the standards established for such licensing;
(5) has in effect an overall plan and budget that meets the requirements of subsection (z);
(6) meets the conditions of participation specified in section 1395bbb(a) of this title and such other conditions of participation as the Secretary may find necessary in the interest of the health and safety of individuals who are furnished services by such agency or organization;
(7) provides the Secretary with a surety bond—
(A) in a form specified by the Secretary and in an amount that is not less than the minimum of $50,000; and
(B) that the Secretary determines is commensurate with the volume of payments to the home health agency; and
(8) meets such additional requirements (including conditions relating to bonding or establishing of escrow accounts as the Secretary finds necessary for the financial security of the program) as the Secretary finds necessary for the effective and efficient operation of the program;
except that for purposes of part A such term shall not include any agency or organization which is primarily for the care and treatment of mental diseases. The Secretary may waive the requirement of a surety bond under paragraph (7) in the case of an agency or organization that provides a comparable surety bond under State law.
(p) Outpatient physical therapy servicesThe term “outpatient physical therapy services” means physical therapy services furnished by a provider of services, a clinic, rehabilitation agency, or a public health agency, or by others under an arrangement with, and under the supervision of, such provider, clinic, rehabilitation agency, or public health agency to an individual as an outpatient—
(1) who is under the care of a physician (as defined in paragraph (1), (3), or (4) of subsection (r)), and
(2) with respect to whom a plan prescribing the type, amount, and duration of physical therapy services that are to be furnished such individual has been established by a physician (as so defined) or by a qualified physical therapist and is periodically reviewed by a physician (as so defined);
excluding, however—
(3) any item or service if it would not be included under subsection (b) if furnished to an inpatient of a hospital; and
(4) any such service—
(A) if furnished by a clinic or rehabilitation agency, or by others under arrangements with such clinic or agency, unless such clinic or rehabilitation agency—
(i) provides an adequate program of physical therapy services for outpatients and has the facilities and personnel required for such program or required for the supervision of such a program, in accordance with such requirements as the Secretary may specify,
(ii) has policies, established by a group of professional personnel, including one or more physicians (associated with the clinic or rehabilitation agency) and one or more qualified physical therapists, to govern the services (referred to in clause (i)) it provides,
(iii) maintains clinical records on all patients,
(iv) if such clinic or agency is situated in a State in which State or applicable local law provides for the licensing of institutions of this nature, (I) is licensed pursuant to such law, or (II) is approved by the agency of such State or locality responsible for licensing institutions of this nature, as meeting the standards established for such licensing; and
(v) meets such other conditions relating to the health and safety of individuals who are furnished services by such clinic or agency on an outpatient basis, as the Secretary may find necessary, and provides the Secretary on a continuing basis with a surety bond in a form specified by the Secretary and in an amount that is not less than $50,000, or
(B) if furnished by a public health agency, unless such agency meets such other conditions relating to health and safety of individuals who are furnished services by such agency on an outpatient basis, as the Secretary may find necessary.
The term “outpatient physical therapy services” also includes physical therapy services furnished an individual by a physical therapist (in his office or in such individual’s home) who meets licensing and other standards prescribed by the Secretary in regulations, otherwise than under an arrangement with and under the supervision of a provider of services, clinic, rehabilitation agency, or public health agency, if the furnishing of such services meets such conditions relating to health and safety as the Secretary may find necessary. In addition, such term includes physical therapy services which meet the requirements of the first sentence of this subsection except that they are furnished to an individual as an inpatient of a hospital or extended care facility. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as requiring, with respect to outpatients who are not entitled to benefits under this subchapter, a physical therapist to provide outpatient physical therapy services only to outpatients who are under the care of a physician or pursuant to a plan of care established by a physician. The Secretary may waive the requirement of a surety bond under paragraph (4)(A)(v) in the case of a clinic or agency that provides a comparable surety bond under State law.
(q) Physicians’ services
(r) Physician
(s) Medical and other health servicesThe term “medical and other health services” means any of the following items or services:
(1) physicians’ services;
(2)
(A) services and supplies (including drugs and biologicals which are not usually self-administered by the patient) furnished as an incident to a physician’s professional service, of kinds which are commonly furnished in physicians’ offices and are commonly either rendered without charge or included in the physicians’ bills (or would have been so included but for the application of section 1395w–3b of this title);
(B) hospital services (including drugs and biologicals which are not usually self-administered by the patient) incident to physicians’ services rendered to outpatients and partial hospitalization services or intensive outpatient services incident to such services;
(C) diagnostic services which are—
(i) furnished to an individual as an outpatient by a hospital or by others under arrangements with them made by a hospital, and
(ii) ordinarily furnished by such hospital (or by others under such arrangements) to its outpatients for the purpose of diagnostic study;
(D) outpatient physical therapy services, outpatient speech-language pathology services, and outpatient occupational therapy services;
(E) rural health clinic services and Federally qualified health center services;
(F) home dialysis supplies and equipment, self-care home dialysis support services, and institutional dialysis services and supplies, and, for items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2011, renal dialysis services (as defined in section 1395rr(b)(14)(B) of this title), including such renal dialysis services furnished on or after January 1, 2017, by a renal dialysis facility or provider of services paid under section 1395rr(b)(14) of this title to an individual with acute kidney injury (as defined in section 1395m(r)(2) of this title);
(G) antigens (subject to quantity limitations prescribed in regulations by the Secretary) prepared by a physician, as defined in subsection (r)(1), for a particular patient, including antigens so prepared which are forwarded to another qualified person (including a rural health clinic) for administration to such patient, from time to time, by or under the supervision of another such physician;
(H)
(i) services furnished pursuant to a contract under section 1395mm of this title to a member of an eligible organization by a physician assistant or by a nurse practitioner (as defined in subsection (aa)(5)) and such services and supplies furnished as an incident to his service to such a member as would otherwise be covered under this part if furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physician’s service; and
(ii) services furnished pursuant to a risk-sharing contract under section 1395mm(g) of this title to a member of an eligible organization by a clinical psychologist (as defined by the Secretary) or by a clinical social worker (as defined in subsection (hh)(2)), and such services and supplies furnished as an incident to such clinical psychologist’s services or clinical social worker’s services to such a member as would otherwise be covered under this part if furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physician’s service;
(I) blood clotting factors, for hemophilia patients competent to use such factors to control bleeding without medical or other supervision, and items related to the administration of such factors, subject to utilization controls deemed necessary by the Secretary for the efficient use of such factors;
(J) prescription drugs used in immunosuppressive therapy furnished, to an individual who receives an organ transplant for which payment is made under this subchapter;
(K)
(i) services which would be physicians’ services and services described in subsections (ww)(1) and (hhh) if furnished by a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) and which are performed by a physician assistant (as defined in subsection (aa)(5)) under the supervision of a physician (as so defined) and which the physician assistant is legally authorized to perform by the State in which the services are performed, and such services and supplies furnished as incident to such services as would be covered under subparagraph (A) if furnished incident to a physician’s professional service, but only if no facility or other provider charges or is paid any amounts with respect to the furnishing of such services,2
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by “and”.
(ii) services which would be physicians’ services and services described in subsections (ww)(1) and (hhh) if furnished by a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) and which are performed by a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist (as defined in subsection (aa)(5)) working in collaboration (as defined in subsection (aa)(6)) with a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) which the nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist is legally authorized to perform by the State in which the services are performed, and such services and supplies furnished as an incident to such services as would be covered under subparagraph (A) if furnished incident to a physician’s professional service, but only if no facility or other provider charges or is paid any amounts with respect to the furnishing of such services;
(L) certified nurse-midwife services;
(M) qualified psychologist services;
(N) clinical social worker services (as defined in subsection (hh)(2));
(O) erythropoietin for dialysis patients competent to use such drug without medical or other supervision with respect to the administration of such drug, subject to methods and standards established by the Secretary by regulation for the safe and effective use of such drug, and items related to the administration of such drug;
(P) prostate cancer screening tests (as defined in subsection (oo));
(Q) an oral drug (which is approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration) prescribed for use as an anticancer chemotherapeutic agent for a given indication, and containing an active ingredient (or ingredients), which is the same indication and active ingredient (or ingredients) as a drug which the carrier determines would be covered pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) if the drug could not be self-administered;
(R) colorectal cancer screening tests (as defined in subsection (pp)); and 3
3 So in original. The word “and” probably should not appear.
(S) diabetes outpatient self-management training services (as defined in subsection (qq));
(T) an oral drug (which is approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration) prescribed for use as an acute anti-emetic used as part of an anticancer chemotherapeutic regimen if the drug is administered by a physician (or as prescribed by a physician)—
(i) for use immediately before, at, or within 48 hours after the time of the administration of the anticancer chemotherapeutic agent; and
(ii) as a full replacement for the anti-emetic therapy which would otherwise be administered intravenously;
(U) screening for glaucoma (as defined in subsection (uu)) for individuals determined to be at high risk for glaucoma, individuals with a family history of glaucoma and individuals with diabetes;
(V) medical nutrition therapy services (as defined in subsection (vv)(1)) in the case of a beneficiary with diabetes or a renal disease who—
(i) has not received diabetes outpatient self-management training services within a time period determined by the Secretary;
(ii) is not receiving maintenance dialysis for which payment is made under section 1395rr of this title; and
(iii) meets such other criteria determined by the Secretary after consideration of protocols established by dietitian or nutrition professional organizations;
(W) an initial preventive physical examination (as defined in subsection (ww));
(X) cardiovascular screening blood tests (as defined in subsection (xx)(1));
(Y) diabetes screening tests (as defined in subsection (yy));
(Z) intravenous immune globulin, and items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2024, related to the administration of intravenous immune globulin, for the treatment of primary immune deficiency diseases in the home (as defined in subsection (zz));
(AA) ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (as defined in subsection (bbb)) for an individual—
(i) who receives a referral for such an ultrasound screening as a result of an initial preventive physical examination (as defined in subsection (ww)(1));
(ii) who has not been previously furnished such an ultrasound screening under this subchapter; and
(iii) who—(I) has a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm; or(II) manifests risk factors included in a beneficiary category recommended for screening by the United States Preventive Services Task Force regarding abdominal aortic aneurysms;
(BB) additional preventive services (described in subsection (ddd)(1));
(CC) items and services furnished under a cardiac rehabilitation program (as defined in subsection (eee)(1)) or under a pulmonary rehabilitation program (as defined in subsection (fff)(1));
(DD) items and services furnished under an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program (as defined in subsection (eee)(4));
(EE) kidney disease education services (as defined in subsection (ggg));
(FF) personalized prevention plan services (as defined in subsection (hhh));
(GG) home infusion therapy (as defined in subsection (iii)(1));
(HH) opioid use disorder treatment services (as defined in subsection (jjj));
(II) marriage and family therapist services (as defined in subsection (lll)(1)) and mental health counselor services (as defined in subsection (lll)(3)); and 3
(JJ) lymphedema compression treatment items (as defined in subsection (mmm)); and
(KK) multi-cancer early detection screening tests (as defined in subsection (nnn));
(3) diagnostic X-ray tests (including tests under the supervision of a physician, furnished in a place of residence used as the patient’s home, if the performance of such tests meets such conditions relating to health and safety as the Secretary may find necessary and including diagnostic mammography if conducted by a facility that has a certificate (or provisional certificate) issued under section 354 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 263b]), diagnostic laboratory tests, and other diagnostic tests;
(4) X-ray, radium, and radioactive isotope therapy, including materials and services of technicians;
(5) surgical dressings, and splints, casts, and other devices used for reduction of fractures and dislocations;
(6) durable medical equipment;
(7) ambulance service where the use of other methods of transportation is contra­indicated by the individual’s condition, but, subject to section 1395m(l)(14) of this title, only to the extent provided in regulations;
(8) prosthetic devices (other than dental) which replace all or part of an internal body organ (including colostomy bags and supplies directly related to colostomy care), including replacement of such devices, and including one pair of conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses furnished subsequent to each cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular lens;
(9) leg, arm, back, and neck braces, and artificial legs, arms, and eyes, including replacements if required because of a change in the patient’s physical condition;
(10)
(A) pneumococcal vaccine and its administration and, subject to section 4071(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, influenza vaccine and its administration, and COVID–19 vaccine and its administration; and
(B) hepatitis B vaccine and its administration, furnished to an individual who is at high or intermediate risk of contracting hepatitis B (as determined by the Secretary under regulations);
(11) services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist (as defined in subsection (bb));
(12) subject to section 4072(e) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, extra-depth shoes with inserts or custom molded shoes with inserts for an individual with diabetes, if—
(A) the physician who is managing the individual’s diabetic condition (i) documents that the individual has peripheral neuropathy with evidence of callus formation, a history of pre-ulcerative calluses, a history of previous ulceration, foot deformity, or previous amputation, or poor circulation, and (ii) certifies that the individual needs such shoes under a comprehensive plan of care related to the individual’s diabetic condition;
(B) the particular type of shoes are prescribed by a podiatrist or other qualified physician (as established by the Secretary); and
(C) the shoes are fitted and furnished by a podiatrist or other qualified individual (such as a pedorthist or orthotist, as established by the Secretary) who is not the physician described in subparagraph (A) (unless the Secretary finds that the physician is the only such qualified individual in the area);
(13) screening mammography (as defined in subsection (jj));
(14) screening pap smear and screening pelvic exam; and
(15) bone mass measurement (as defined in subsection (rr)).
No diagnostic tests performed in any laboratory, including a laboratory that is part of a rural health clinic, or a hospital (which, for purposes of this sentence, means an institution considered a hospital for purposes of section 1395f(d) of this title) shall be included within paragraph (3) unless such laboratory—
(16) if situated in any State in which State or applicable local law provides for licensing of establishments of this nature, (A) is licensed pursuant to such law, or (B) is approved, by the agency of such State or locality responsible for licensing establishments of this nature, as meeting the standards established for such licensing; and
(17)
(A) meets the certification requirements under section 353 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 263a]; and
(B) meets such other conditions relating to the health and safety of individuals with respect to whom such tests are performed as the Secretary may find necessary.
There shall be excluded from the diagnostic services specified in paragraph (2)(C) any item or service (except services referred to in paragraph (1)) which would not be included under subsection (b) if it were furnished to an inpatient of a hospital. None of the items and services referred to in the preceding paragraphs (other than paragraphs (1) and (2)(A)) of this subsection which are furnished to a patient of an institution which meets the definition of a hospital for purposes of section 1395f(d) of this title shall be included unless such other conditions are met as the Secretary may find necessary relating to health and safety of individuals with respect to whom such items and services are furnished.
(t) Drugs and biologicals
(1) The term “drugs” and the term “biologicals”, except for purposes of subsection (m)(5) of this section and paragraph (2), include only such drugs (including contrast agents) and biologicals, respectively, as are included (or approved for inclusion) in the United States Pharmacopoeia, the National Formulary, or the United States Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia, or in New Drugs or Accepted Dental Remedies (except for any drugs and biologicals unfavorably evaluated therein), or as are approved by the pharmacy and drug therapeutics committee (or equivalent committee) of the medical staff of the hospital furnishing such drugs and biologicals for use in such hospital.
(2)
(A) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “drugs” also includes any drugs or biologicals used in an anticancer chemotherapeutic regimen for a medically accepted indication (as described in subparagraph (B)).
(B) In subparagraph (A), the term “medically accepted indication”, with respect to the use of a drug, includes any use which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the drug, and includes another use of the drug if—
(i) the drug has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration; and
(ii)(I) such use is supported by one or more citations which are included (or approved for inclusion) in one or more of the following compendia: the American Hospital Formulary Service-Drug Information, the American Medical Association Drug Evaluations, the United States Pharmacopoeia-Drug Information (or its successor publications), and other authoritative compendia as identified by the Secretary, unless the Secretary has determined that the use is not medically appropriate or the use is identified as not indicated in one or more such compendia, or(II) the carrier involved determines, based upon guidance provided by the Secretary to carriers for determining accepted uses of drugs, that such use is medically accepted based on supportive clinical evidence in peer reviewed medical literature appearing in publications which have been identified for purposes of this subclause by the Secretary.
The Secretary may revise the list of compendia in clause (ii)(I) as is appropriate for identifying medically accepted indications for drugs. On and after January 1, 2010, no compendia may be included on the list of compendia under this subparagraph unless the compendia has 4
4 So in original. Probably should be “have”.
a publicly transparent process for evaluating therapies and for identifying potential conflicts of interests.
(u) Provider of services
(v) Reasonable costs
(1)
(A) The reasonable cost of any services shall be the cost actually incurred, excluding therefrom any part of incurred cost found to be unnecessary in the efficient delivery of needed health services, and shall be determined in accordance with regulations establishing the method or methods to be used, and the items to be included, in determining such costs for various types or classes of institutions, agencies, and services; except that in any case to which paragraph (2) or (3) applies, the amount of the payment determined under such paragraph with respect to the services involved shall be considered the reasonable cost of such services. In prescribing the regulations referred to in the preceding sentence, the Secretary shall consider, among other things, the principles generally applied by national organizations or established prepayment organizations (which have developed such principles) in computing the amount of payment, to be made by persons other than the recipients of services, to providers of services on account of services furnished to such recipients by such providers. Such regulations may provide for determination of the costs of services on a per diem, per unit, per capita, or other basis, may provide for using different methods in different circumstances, may provide for the use of estimates of costs of particular items or services, may provide for the establishment of limits on the direct or indirect overall incurred costs or incurred costs of specific items or services or groups of items or services to be recognized as reasonable based on estimates of the costs necessary in the efficient delivery of needed health services to individuals covered by the insurance programs established under this subchapter, and may provide for the use of charges or a percentage of charges where this method reasonably reflects the costs. Such regulations shall (i) take into account both direct and indirect costs of providers of services (excluding therefrom any such costs, including standby costs, which are determined in accordance with regulations to be unnecessary in the efficient delivery of services covered by the insurance programs established under this subchapter) in order that, under the methods of determining costs, the necessary costs of efficiently delivering covered services to individuals covered by the insurance programs established by this subchapter will not be borne by individuals not so covered, and the costs with respect to individuals not so covered will not be borne by such insurance programs, and (ii) provide for the making of suitable retroactive corrective adjustments where, for a provider of services for any fiscal period, the aggregate reimbursement produced by the methods of determining costs proves to be either inadequate or excessive.
(B) In the case of extended care services, the regulations under subparagraph (A) shall not include provision for specific recognition of a return on equity capital.
(C) Where a hospital has an arrangement with a medical school under which the faculty of such school provides services at such hospital, an amount not in excess of the reasonable cost of such services to the medical school shall be included in determining the reasonable cost to the hospital of furnishing services—
(i) for which payment may be made under part A, but only if—(I) payment for such services as furnished under such arrangement would be made under part A to the hospital had such services been furnished by the hospital, and(II) such hospital pays to the medical school at least the reasonable cost of such services to the medical school, or
(ii) for which payment may be made under part B, but only if such hospital pays to the medical school at least the reasonable cost of such services to the medical school.
(D) Where (i) physicians furnish services which are either inpatient hospital services (including services in conjunction with the teaching programs of such hospital) by reason of paragraph (7) of subsection (b) or for which entitlement exists by reason of clause (II) of section 1395k(a)(2)(B)(i) of this title, and (ii) such hospital (or medical school under arrangement with such hospital) incurs no actual cost in the furnishing of such services, the reasonable cost of such services shall (under regulations of the Secretary) be deemed to be the cost such hospital or medical school would have incurred had it paid a salary to such physicians rendering such services approximately equivalent to the average salary paid to all physicians employed by such hospital (or if such employment does not exist, or is minimal in such hospital, by similar hospitals in a geographic area of sufficient size to assure reasonable inclusion of sufficient physicians in development of such average salary).
(E) Such regulations may, in the case of skilled nursing facilities in any State, provide for the use of rates, developed by the State in which such facilities are located, for the payment of the cost of skilled nursing facility services furnished under the State’s plan approved under subchapter XIX (and such rates may be increased by the Secretary on a class or size of institution or on a geographical basis by a percentage factor not in excess of 10 percent to take into account determinable items or services or other requirements under this subchapter not otherwise included in the computation of such State rates), if the Secretary finds that such rates are reasonably related to (but not necessarily limited to) analyses undertaken by such State of costs of care in comparable facilities in such State. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, such regulations with respect to skilled nursing facilities shall take into account (in a manner consistent with subparagraph (A) and based on patient-days of services furnished) the costs (including the costs of services required to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident eligible for benefits under this subchapter) of such facilities complying with the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of section 1395i–3 of this title (including the costs of conducting nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs and competency evaluation programs).
(F) Such regulations shall require each provider of services (other than a fund) to make reports to the Secretary of information described in section 1320a(a) of this title in accordance with the uniform reporting system (established under such section) for that type of provider.
(G)
(i) In any case in which a hospital provides inpatient services to an individual that would constitute post-hospital extended care services if provided by a skilled nursing facility and a quality improvement organization (or, in the absence of such a qualified organization, the Secretary or such agent as the Secretary may designate) determines that inpatient hospital services for the individual are not medically necessary but post-hospital extended care services for the individual are medically necessary and such extended care services are not otherwise available to the individual (as determined in accordance with criteria established by the Secretary) at the time of such determination, payment for such services provided to the individual shall continue to be made under this subchapter at the payment rate described in clause (ii) during the period in which—(I) such post-hospital extended care services for the individual are medically necessary and not otherwise available to the individual (as so determined),(II) inpatient hospital services for the individual are not medically necessary, and(III) the individual is entitled to have payment made for post-hospital extended care services under this subchapter,
except that if the Secretary determines that there is not an excess of hospital beds in such hospital and (subject to clause (iv)) there is not an excess of hospital beds in the area of such hospital, such payment shall be made (during such period) on the basis of the amount otherwise payable under part A with respect to inpatient hospital services.
(ii)(I) Except as provided in subclause (II), the payment rate referred to in clause (i) is a rate equal to the estimated adjusted State-wide average rate per patient-day paid for services provided in skilled nursing facilities under the State plan approved under subchapter XIX for the State in which such hospital is located, or, if the State in which the hospital is located does not have a State plan approved under subchapter XIX, the estimated adjusted State-wide average allowable costs per patient-day for extended care services under this subchapter in that State.(II) If a hospital has a unit which is a skilled nursing facility, the payment rate referred to in clause (i) for the hospital is a rate equal to the lesser of the rate described in subclause (I) or the allowable costs in effect under this subchapter for extended care services provided to patients of such unit.
(iii) Any day on which an individual receives inpatient services for which payment is made under this subparagraph shall, for purposes of this chapter (other than this subparagraph), be deemed to be a day on which the individual received inpatient hospital services.
(iv) In determining under clause (i), in the case of a public hospital, whether or not there is an excess of hospital beds in the area of such hospital, such determination shall be made on the basis of only the public hospitals (including the hospital) which are in the area of the hospital and which are under common ownership with that hospital.
(H) In determining such reasonable cost with respect to home health agencies, the Secretary may not include—
(i) any costs incurred in connection with bonding or establishing an escrow account by any such agency as a result of the surety bond requirement described in subsection (o)(7) and the financial security requirement described in subsection (o)(8);
(ii) in the case of home health agencies to which the surety bond requirement described in subsection (o)(7) and the financial security requirement described in subsection (o)(8) apply, any costs attributed to interest charged such an agency in connection with amounts borrowed by the agency to repay overpayments made under this subchapter to the agency, except that such costs may be included in reasonable cost if the Secretary determines that the agency was acting in good faith in borrowing the amounts;
(iii) in the case of contracts entered into by a home health agency after December 5, 1980, for the purpose of having services furnished for or on behalf of such agency, any cost incurred by such agency pursuant to any such contract which is entered into for a period exceeding five years; and
(iv) in the case of contracts entered into by a home health agency before December 5, 1980, for the purpose of having services furnished for or on behalf of such agency, any cost incurred by such agency pursuant to any such contract, which determines the amount payable by the home health agency on the basis of a percentage of the agency’s reimbursement or claim for reimbursement for services furnished by the agency, to the extent that such cost exceeds the reasonable value of the services furnished on behalf of such agency.
(I) In determining such reasonable cost, the Secretary may not include any costs incurred by a provider with respect to any services furnished in connection with matters for which payment may be made under this subchapter and furnished pursuant to a contract between the provider and any of its subcontractors which is entered into after December 5, 1980, and the value or cost of which is $10,000 or more over a twelve-month period unless the contract contains a clause to the effect that—
(i) until the expiration of four years after the furnishing of such services pursuant to such contract, the subcontractor shall make available, upon written request by the Secretary, or upon request by the Comptroller General, or any of their duly authorized representatives, the contract, and books, documents and records of such subcontractor that are necessary to certify the nature and extent of such costs, and
(ii) if the subcontractor carries out any of the duties of the contract through a subcontract, with a value or cost of $10,000 or more over a twelve-month period, with a related organization, such subcontract shall contain a clause to the effect that until the expiration of four years after the furnishing of such services pursuant to such subcontract, the related organization shall make available, upon written request by the Secretary, or upon request by the Comptroller General, or any of their duly authorized representatives, the subcontract, and books, documents and rec­ords of such organization that are necessary to verify the nature and extent of such costs.
The Secretary shall prescribe in regulation 5
5 So in original. Probably should be “regulations”.
criteria and procedures which the Secretary shall use in obtaining access to books, documents, and records under clauses required in contracts and subcontracts under this subparagraph.
(J) Such regulations may not provide for any inpatient routine salary cost differential as a reimbursable cost for hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.
(K)
(i) The Secretary shall issue regulations that provide, to the extent feasible, for the establishment of limitations on the amount of any costs or charges that shall be considered reasonable with respect to services provided on an outpatient basis by hospitals (other than bona fide emergency services as defined in clause (ii)) or clinics (other than rural health clinics), which are reimbursed on a cost basis or on the basis of cost related charges, and by physicians utilizing such outpatient facilities. Such limitations shall be reasonably related to the charges in the same area for similar services provided in physicians’ offices. Such regulations shall provide for exceptions to such limitations in cases where similar services are not generally available in physicians’ offices in the area to individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter.
(ii) For purposes of clause (i), the term “bona fide emergency services” means services provided in a hospital emergency room after the sudden onset of a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in—(I) placing the patient’s health in serious jeopardy;(II) serious impairment to bodily functions; or(III) serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part.
(L)
(i) The Secretary, in determining the amount of the payments that may be made under this subchapter with respect to services furnished by home health agencies, may not recognize as reasonable (in the efficient delivery of such services) costs for the provision of such services by an agency to the extent these costs exceed (on the aggregate for the agency) for cost reporting periods beginning on or after—(I)July 1, 1985, and before July 1, 1986, 120 percent of the mean of the labor-related and nonlabor per visit costs for freestanding home health agencies,(II)July 1, 1986, and before July 1, 1987, 115 percent of such mean,(III)July 1, 1987, and before October 1, 1997, 112 percent of such mean,(IV)October 1, 1997, and before October 1, 1998, 105 percent of the median of the labor-related and nonlabor per visit costs for freestanding home health agencies, or(V)October 1, 1998, 106 percent of such median.
(ii) Effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after July 1, 1986, such limitations shall be applied on an aggregate basis for the agency, rather than on a discipline specific basis. The Secretary may provide for such exemptions and exceptions to such limitation as he deems appropriate.
(iii) Not later than July 1, 1991, and annually thereafter (but not for cost reporting periods beginning on or after July 1, 1994, and before July 1, 1996, or on or after July 1, 1997, and before October 1, 1997), the Secretary shall establish limits under this subparagraph for cost reporting periods beginning on or after such date by utilizing the area wage index applicable under section 1395ww(d)(3)(E) of this title and determined using the survey of the most recent available wages and wage-related costs of hospitals located in the geographic area in which the home health service is furnished (determined without regard to whether such hospitals have been reclassified to a new geographic area pursuant to section 1395ww(d)(8)(B) of this title, a decision of the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board under section 1395ww(d)(10) of this title, or a decision of the Secretary).
(iv) In establishing limits under this subparagraph for cost reporting periods beginning after September 30, 1997, the Secretary shall not take into account any changes in the home health market basket, as determined by the Secretary, with respect to cost reporting periods which began on or after July 1, 1994, and before July 1, 1996.
(v) For services furnished by home health agencies for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1997, subject to clause (viii)(I), the Secretary shall provide for an interim system of limits. Payment shall not exceed the costs determined under the preceding provisions of this subparagraph or, if lower, the product of—(I) an agency-specific per beneficiary annual limitation calculated based 75 percent on 98 percent of the reasonable costs (including nonroutine medical supplies) for the agency’s 12-month cost reporting period ending during fiscal year 1994, and based 25 percent on 98 percent of the standardized regional average of such costs for the agency’s census division, as applied to such agency, for cost reporting periods ending during fiscal year 1994, such costs updated by the home health market basket index; and(II) the agency’s unduplicated census count of patients (entitled to benefits under this subchapter) for the cost reporting period subject to the limitation.
(vi) For services furnished by home health agencies for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1997, the following rules apply:(I) For new providers and those providers without a 12-month cost reporting period ending in fiscal year 1994 subject to clauses (viii)(II) and (viii)(III), the per beneficiary limitation shall be equal to the median of these limits (or the Secretary’s best estimates thereof) applied to other home health agencies as determined by the Secretary. A home health agency that has altered its corporate structure or name shall not be considered a new provider for this purpose.(II) For beneficiaries who use services furnished by more than one home health agency, the per beneficiary limitations shall be prorated among the agencies.
(vii)(I) Not later than January 1, 1998, the Secretary shall establish per visit limits applicable for fiscal year 1998, and not later than April 1, 1998, the Secretary shall establish per beneficiary limits under clause (v)(I) for fiscal year 1998.(II) Not later than August 1 of each year (beginning in 1998) the Secretary shall establish the limits applicable under this subparagraph for services furnished during the fiscal year beginning October 1 of the year.
(viii)(I) In the case of a provider with a 12-month cost reporting period ending in fiscal year 1994, if the limit imposed under clause (v) (determined without regard to this subclause) for a cost reporting period beginning during or after fiscal year 1999 is less than the median described in clause (vi)(I) (but determined as if any reference in clause (v) to “98 percent” were a reference to “100 percent”), the limit otherwise imposed under clause (v) for such provider and period shall be increased by ⅓ of such difference.(II) Subject to subclause (IV), for new providers and those providers without a 12-month cost reporting period ending in fiscal year 1994, but for which the first cost reporting period begins before fiscal year 1999, for cost reporting periods beginning during or after fiscal year 1999, the per beneficiary limitation described in clause (vi)(I) shall be equal to the median described in such clause (determined as if any reference in clause (v) to “98 percent” were a reference to “100 percent”).(III) Subject to subclause (IV), in the case of a new provider for which the first cost reporting period begins during or after fiscal year 1999, the limitation applied under clause (vi)(I) (but only with respect to such provider) shall be equal to 75 percent of the median described in clause (vi)(I).(IV) In the case of a new provider or a provider without a 12-month cost reporting period ending in fiscal year 1994, subclause (II) shall apply, instead of subclause (III), to a home health agency which filed an application for home health agency provider status under this subchapter before September 15, 1998, or which was approved as a branch of its parent agency before such date and becomes a subunit of the parent agency or a separate agency on or after such date.(V) Each of the amounts specified in subclauses (I) through (III) are such amounts as adjusted under clause (iii) to reflect variations in wages among different areas.
(ix) Notwithstanding the per beneficiary limit under clause (viii), if the limit imposed under clause (v) (determined without regard to this clause) for a cost reporting period beginning during or after fiscal year 2000 is less than the median described in clause (vi)(I) (but determined as if any reference in clause (v) to “98 percent” were a reference to “100 percent”), the limit otherwise imposed under clause (v) for such provider and period shall be increased by 2 percent.
(x) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subparagraph, in updating any limit under this subparagraph by a home health market basket index for cost reporting periods beginning during each of fiscal years 2000, 2002, and 2003, the update otherwise provided shall be reduced by 1.1 percentage points. With respect to cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 2001, the update to any limit under this subparagraph shall be the home health market basket index.
(M) Such regulations shall provide that costs respecting care provided by a provider of services, pursuant to an assurance under title VI or XVI of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 291 et seq., 300q et seq.] that the provider will make available a reasonable volume of services to persons unable to pay therefor, shall not be allowable as reasonable costs.
(N) In determining such reasonable costs, costs incurred for activities directly related to influencing employees respecting unionization may not be included.
(O)
(i) In establishing an appropriate allowance for depreciation and for interest on capital indebtedness with respect to an asset of a provider of services which has undergone a change of ownership, such regulations shall provide, except as provided in clause (iii), that the valuation of the asset after such change of ownership shall be the historical cost of the asset, as recognized under this subchapter, less depreciation allowed, to the owner of record as of August 5, 1997 (or, in the case of an asset not in existence as of August 5, 1997, the first owner of record of the asset after August 5, 1997).
(ii) Such regulations shall not recognize, as reasonable in the provision of health care services, costs (including legal fees, accounting and administrative costs, travel costs, and the costs of feasibility studies) attributable to the negotiation or settlement of the sale or purchase of any capital asset (by acquisition or merger) for which any payment has previously been made under this subchapter.
(iii) In the case of the transfer of a hospital from ownership by a State to ownership by a nonprofit corporation without monetary consideration, the basis for capital allowances to the new owner shall be the book value of the hospital to the State at the time of the transfer.
(P) If such regulations provide for the payment for a return on equity capital (other than with respect to costs of inpatient hospital services), the rate of return to be recognized, for determining the reasonable cost of services furnished in a cost reporting period, shall be equal to the average of the rates of interest, for each of the months any part of which is included in the period, on obligations issued for purchase by the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.
(Q) Except as otherwise explicitly authorized, the Secretary is not authorized to limit the rate of increase on allowable costs of approved medical educational activities.
(R) In determining such reasonable cost, costs incurred by a provider of services representing a beneficiary in an unsuccessful appeal of a determination described in section 1395ff(b) of this title shall not be allowable as reasonable costs.
(S)
(i) Such regulations shall not include provision for specific recognition of any return on equity capital with respect to hospital outpatient departments.
(ii)(I) Such regulations shall provide that, in determining the amount of the payments that may be made under this subchapter with respect to all the capital-related costs of outpatient hospital services, the Secretary shall reduce the amounts of such payments otherwise established under this subchapter by 15 percent for payments attributable to portions of cost reporting periods occurring during fiscal year 1990, by 15 percent for payments attributable to portions of cost reporting periods occurring during fiscal year 1991, and by 10 percent for payments attributable to portions of cost reporting periods occurring during fiscal years 1992 through 1999 and until the first date that the prospective payment system under section 1395l(t) of this title is implemented.(II) The Secretary shall reduce the reasonable cost of outpatient hospital services (other than the capital-related costs of such services) otherwise determined pursuant to section 1395l(a)(2)(B)(i)(I) of this title by 5.8 percent for payments attributable to portions of cost reporting periods occurring during fiscal years 1991 through 1999 and until the first date that the prospective payment system under section 1395l(t) of this title is implemented.(III) Subclauses (I) and (II) shall not apply to payments with respect to the costs of hospital outpatient services provided by any hospital that is a sole community hospital (as defined in section 1395ww(d)(5)(D)(iii) of this title) or a critical access hospital (as defined in subsection (mm)(1)).(IV) In applying subclauses (I) and (II) to services for which payment is made on the basis of a blend amount under section 1395l(i)(3)(A)(ii) or 1395l(n)(1)(A)(ii) of this title, the costs reflected in the amounts described in sections 1395l(i)(3)(B)(i)(I) and 1395l(n)(1)(B)(i)(I) of this title, respectively, shall be reduced in accordance with such subclause.6
6 So in original. Probably should be “subclauses.”
(T) In determining such reasonable costs for hospitals, no reduction in copayments under section 1395l(t)(8)(B) of this title shall be treated as a bad debt and the amount of bad debts otherwise treated as allowable costs which are attributable to the deductibles and coinsurance amounts under this subchapter shall be reduced—
(i) for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 1998, by 25 percent of such amount otherwise allowable,
(ii) for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 1999, by 40 percent of such amount otherwise allowable,
(iii) for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 2000, by 45 percent of such amount otherwise allowable,
(iv) for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal years 2001 through 2012, by 30 percent of such amount otherwise allowable, and
(v) for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 2013 or a subsequent fiscal year, by 35 percent of such amount otherwise allowable.
(U) In determining the reasonable cost of ambulance services (as described in subsection (s)(7)) provided during fiscal year 1998, during fiscal year 1999, and during so much of fiscal year 2000 as precedes January 1, 2000, the Secretary shall not recognize the costs per trip in excess of costs recognized as reasonable for ambulance services provided on a per trip basis during the previous fiscal year (after application of this subparagraph), increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) as estimated by the Secretary for the 12-month period ending with the midpoint of the fiscal year involved reduced by 1.0 percentage point. For ambulance services provided after June 30, 1998, the Secretary may provide that claims for such services must include a code (or codes) under a uniform coding system specified by the Secretary that identifies the services furnished.
(V) In determining such reasonable costs for skilled nursing facilities and (beginning with respect to cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 2013) for covered skilled nursing services described in section 1395yy(e)(2)(A) of this title furnished by hospital providers of extended care services (as described in section 1395tt of this title), the amount of bad debts otherwise treated as allowed costs which are attributable to the coinsurance amounts under this subchapter for individuals who are entitled to benefits under part A and—
(i) are not described in section 1396u–5(c)(6)(A)(ii) of this title shall be reduced by—(I) for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2005, but before fiscal year 2013, 30 percent of such amount otherwise allowable; and(II) for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 2013 or a subsequent fiscal year, by 7
7 So in original. The word “by” probably should not appear.
35 percent of such amount otherwise allowable.
(ii) are described in such section—(I) for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2005, but before fiscal year 2013, shall not be reduced;(II) for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 2013, shall be reduced by 12 percent of such amount otherwise allowable;(III) for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 2014, shall be reduced by 24 percent of such amount otherwise allowable; and(IV) for cost reporting periods beginning during a subsequent fiscal year, shall be reduced by 35 percent of such amount otherwise allowable.
(W)
(i) In determining such reasonable costs for providers described in clause (ii), the amount of bad debts otherwise treated as allowable costs which are attributable to deductibles and coinsurance amounts under this subchapter shall be reduced—(I) for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 2013, by 12 percent of such amount otherwise allowable;(II) for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 2014, by 24 percent of such amount otherwise allowable; and(III) for cost reporting periods beginning during a subsequent fiscal year, by 35 percent of such amount otherwise allowable.
(ii) A provider described in this clause is a provider of services not described in subparagraph (T) or (V), a supplier, or any other type of entity that receives payment for bad debts under the authority under subparagraph (A).
(2)
(A) If the bed and board furnished as part of inpatient hospital services (including inpatient tuberculosis hospital services and inpatient psychiatric hospital services) or post-hospital extended care services is in accommodations more expensive than semi-private accommodations, the amount taken into account for purposes of payment under this subchapter with respect to such services may not exceed the amount that would be taken into account with respect to such services if furnished in such semi-private accommodations unless the more expensive accommodations were required for medical reasons.
(B) Where a provider of services which has an agreement in effect under this subchapter furnishes to an individual items or services which are in excess of or more expensive than the items or services with respect to which payment may be made under part A or part B, as the case may be, the Secretary shall take into account for purposes of payment to such provider of services only the items or services with respect to which such payment may be made.
(3) If the bed and board furnished as part of inpatient hospital services (including inpatient tuberculosis hospital services and inpatient psychiatric hospital services) or post-hospital extended care services is in accommodations other than, but not more expensive than, semi-private accommodations and the use of such other accommodations rather than semi-private accommodations was neither at the request of the patient nor for a reason which the Secretary determines is consistent with the purposes of this subchapter, the amount of the payment with respect to such bed and board under part A shall be the amount otherwise payable under this subchapter for such bed and board furnished in semi-private accommodations minus the difference between the charge customarily made by the hospital or skilled nursing facility for bed and board in semi-private accommodations and the charge customarily made by it for bed and board in the accommodations furnished.
(4) If a provider of services furnishes items or services to an individual which are in excess of or more expensive than the items or services determined to be necessary in the efficient delivery of needed health services and charges are imposed for such more expensive items or services under the authority granted in section 1395cc(a)(2)(B)(ii) 8
8 See References in Text note below.
of this title, the amount of payment with respect to such items or services otherwise due such provider in any fiscal period shall be reduced to the extent that such payment plus such charges exceed the cost actually incurred for such items or services in the fiscal period in which such charges are imposed.
(5)
(A) Where physical therapy services, occupational therapy services, speech therapy services, or other therapy services or services of other health-related personnel (other than physicians) are furnished under an arrangement with a provider of services or other organization, specified in the first sentence of subsection (p) (including through the operation of subsection (g)) the amount included in any payment to such provider or other organization under this subchapter as the reasonable cost of such services (as furnished under such arrangements) shall not exceed an amount equal to the salary which would reasonably have been paid for such services (together with any additional costs that would have been incurred by the provider or other organization) to the person performing them if they had been performed in an employment relationship with such provider or other organization (rather than under such arrangement) plus the cost of such other expenses (including a reasonable allowance for traveltime and other reasonable types of expense related to any differences in acceptable methods of organization for the provision of such therapy) incurred by such person, as the Secretary may in regulations determine to be appropriate.
(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (A), if a provider of services or other organization specified in the first sentence of subsection (p) requires the services of a therapist on a limited part-time basis, or only to perform intermittent services, the Secretary may make payment on the basis of a reasonable rate per unit of service, even though such rate is greater per unit of time than salary related amounts, where he finds that such greater payment is, in the aggregate, less than the amount that would have been paid if such organization had employed a therapist on a full- or part-time salary basis.
(6) For purposes of this subsection, the term, “semi-private accommodations” means two-bed, three-bed, or four-bed accommodations.
(7)
(A) For limitation on Federal participation for capital expenditures which are out of conformity with a comprehensive plan of a State or areawide planning agency, see section 1320a–1 of this title.
(B) For further limitations on reasonable cost and determination of payment amounts for operating costs of inpatient hospital services and waivers for certain States, see section 1395ww of this title.
(C) For provisions restricting payment for provider-based physicians’ services and for payments under certain percentage arrangements, see section 1395xx of this title.
(D) For further limitations on reasonable cost and determination of payment amounts for routine service costs of skilled nursing facilities, see subsections (a) through (c) of section 1395yy of this title.
(8)Items unrelated to patient care.—Reasonable costs do not include costs for the following—
(i) entertainment, including tickets to sporting and other entertainment events;
(ii) gifts or donations;
(iii) personal use of motor vehicles;
(iv) costs for fines and penalties resulting from violations of Federal, State, or local laws; and
(v) education expenses for spouses or other dependents of providers of services, their employees or contractors.
(w) Arrangements for certain services; payments pursuant to arrangements for utilization review activities
(1) The term “arrangements” is limited to arrangements under which receipt of payment by the hospital, critical access hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health agency, or hospice program (whether in its own right or as agent), with respect to services for which an individual is entitled to have payment made under this subchapter, discharges the liability of such individual or any other person to pay for the services.
(2) Utilization review activities conducted, in accordance with the requirements of the program established under part B of subchapter XI of this chapter with respect to services furnished by a hospital or critical access hospital to patients insured under part A of this subchapter or entitled to have payment made for such services under part B of this subchapter or under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX, by a quality improvement organization designated for the area in which such hospital or critical access hospital is located shall be deemed to have been conducted pursuant to arrangements between such hospital or critical access hospital and such organization under which such hospital or critical access hospital is obligated to pay to such organization, as a condition of receiving payment for hospital or critical access hospital services so furnished under this part or under such a State plan, such amount as is reasonably incurred and requested (as determined under regulations of the Secretary) by such organization in conducting such review activities with respect to services furnished by such hospital or critical access hospital to such patients.
(x) State and United States
(y) Extended care in religious nonmedical health care institutions
(1) The term “skilled nursing facility” also includes a religious nonmedical health care institution (as defined in subsection (ss)(1)), but only (except for purposes of subsection (a)(2)) with respect to items and services ordinarily furnished by such an institution to inpatients, and payment may be made with respect to services provided by or in such an institution only to such extent and under such conditions, limitations, and requirements (in addition to or in lieu of the conditions, limitations, and requirements otherwise applicable) as may be provided in regulations consistent with section 1395i–5 of this title.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, payment under part A may not be made for services furnished an individual in a skilled nursing facility to which paragraph (1) applies unless such individual elects, in accordance with regulations, for a spell of illness to have such services treated as post-hospital extended care services for purposes of such part; and payment under part A may not be made for post-hospital extended care services—
(A) furnished an individual during such spell of illness in a skilled nursing facility to which paragraph (1) applies after—
(i) such services have been furnished to him in such a facility for 30 days during such spell, or
(ii) such services have been furnished to him during such spell in a skilled nursing facility to which such paragraph does not apply; or
(B) furnished an individual during such spell of illness in a skilled nursing facility to which paragraph (1) does not apply after such services have been furnished to him during such spell in a skilled nursing facility to which such paragraph applies.
(3) The amount payable under part A for post-hospital extended care services furnished an individual during any spell of illness in a skilled nursing facility to which paragraph (1) applies shall be reduced by a coinsurance amount equal to one-eighth of the inpatient hospital deductible for each day before the 31st day on which he is furnished such services in such a facility during such spell (and the reduction under this paragraph shall be in lieu of any reduction under section 1395e(a)(3) of this title).
(4) For purposes of subsection (i), the determination of whether services furnished by or in an institution described in paragraph (1) constitute post-hospital extended care services shall be made in accordance with and subject to such conditions, limitations, and requirements as may be provided in regulations.
(z) Institutional planningAn overall plan and budget of a hospital, skilled nursing facility, comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility, or home health agency shall be considered sufficient if it—
(1) provides for an annual operating budget which includes all anticipated income and expenses related to items which would, under generally accepted accounting principles, be considered income and expense items (except that nothing in this paragraph shall require that there be prepared, in connection with any budget, an item-by-item identification of the components of each type of anticipated expenditure or income);
(2)
(A) provides for a capital expenditures plan for at least a 3-year period (including the year to which the operating budget described in paragraph (1) is applicable) which includes and identifies in detail the anticipated sources of financing for, and the objectives of, each anticipated expenditure in excess of $600,000 (or such lesser amount as may be established by the State under section 1320a–1(g)(1) of this title in which the hospital is located) related to the acquisition of land, the improvement of land, buildings, and equipment, and the replacement, modernization, and expansion of the buildings and equipment which would, under generally accepted accounting principles, be considered capital items;
(B) provides that such plan is submitted to the agency designated under section 1320a–1(b) of this title, or if no such agency is designated, to the appropriate health planning agency in the State (but this subparagraph shall not apply in the case of a facility exempt from review under section 1320a–1 of this title by reason of section 1320a–1(j) of this title);
(3) provides for review and updating at least annually; and
(4) is prepared, under the direction of the governing body of the institution or agency, by a committee consisting of representatives of the governing body, the administrative staff, and the medical staff (if any) of the institution or agency.
(aa) Rural health clinic services and Federally qualified health center services
(1) The term “rural health clinic services” means—
(A) physicians’ services and such services and supplies as are covered under subsection (s)(2)(A) if furnished as an incident to a physician’s professional service and items and services described in subsection (s)(10),
(B) such services furnished by a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner (as defined in paragraph (5)), by a clinical psychologist (as defined by the Secretary), by a clinical social worker (as defined in subsection (hh)(1)), by a marriage and family therapist (as defined in subsection (lll)(2)), or by a mental health counselor (as defined in subsection (lll)(4)), and such services and supplies furnished as an incident to his service as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physician’s service,
(C) in the case of a rural health clinic located in an area in which there exists a shortage of home health agencies, part-time or intermittent nursing care and related medical supplies (other than drugs and biologicals) furnished by a registered professional nurse or licensed practical nurse to a homebound individual under a written plan of treatment (i) established and periodically reviewed by a physician described in paragraph (2)(B), or (ii) established by a nurse practitioner or physician assistant and periodically reviewed and approved by a physician described in paragraph (2)(B), and
(D) intensive outpatient services (as defined in section 1395x(ff)(4) of this title),
when furnished to an individual as an outpatient of a rural health clinic.
(2) The term “rural health clinic” means a facility which—
(A) is primarily engaged in furnishing to outpatients services described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1);
(B) in the case of a facility which is not a physician-directed clinic, has an arrangement (consistent with the provisions of State and local law relative to the practice, performance, and delivery of health services) with one or more physicians (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) under which provision is made for the periodic review by such physicians of covered services furnished by physician assistants and nurse practitioners, the supervision and guidance by such physicians of physician assistants and nurse practitioners, the preparation by such physicians of such medical orders for care and treatment of clinic patients as may be necessary, and the availability of such physicians for such referral of and consultation for patients as is necessary and for advice and assistance in the management of medical emergencies; and, in the case of a physician-directed clinic, has one or more of its staff physicians perform the activities accomplished through such an arrangement;
(C) maintains clinical records on all patients;
(D) has arrangements with one or more hospitals, having agreements in effect under section 1395cc of this title, for the referral and admission of patients requiring inpatient services or such diagnostic or other specialized services as are not available at the clinic;
(E) has written policies, which are developed with the advice of (and with provision for review of such policies from time to time by) a group of professional personnel, including one or more physicians and one or more physician assistants or nurse practitioners, to govern those services described in paragraph (1) which it furnishes;
(F) has a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner responsible for the execution of policies described in subparagraph (E) and relating to the provision of the clinic’s services;
(G) directly provides routine diagnostic services, including clinical laboratory services, as prescribed in regulations by the Secretary, and has prompt access to additional diagnostic services from facilities meeting requirements under this subchapter;
(H) in compliance with State and Federal law, has available for administering to patients of the clinic at least such drugs and biologicals as are determined by the Secretary to be necessary for the treatment of emergency cases (as defined in regulations) and has appropriate procedures or arrangements for storing, administering, and dispensing any drugs and biologicals;
(I) has a quality assessment and performance improvement program, and appropriate procedures for review of utilization of clinic services, as the Secretary may specify;
(J) has a nurse practitioner, a physician assistant, or a certified nurse-midwife (as defined in subsection (gg)) available to furnish patient care services not less than 50 percent of the time the clinic operates; and
(K) meets such other requirements as the Secretary may find necessary in the interest of the health and safety of the individuals who are furnished services by the clinic.
For the purposes of this subchapter, such term includes only a facility which (i) is located in an area that is not an urbanized area (as defined by the Bureau of the Census) and in which there are insufficient numbers of needed health care practitioners (as determined by the Secretary), and that, within the previous 4-year period, has been designated by the chief executive officer of the State and certified by the Secretary as an area with a shortage of personal health services or designated by the Secretary either (I) as an area with a shortage of personal health services under section 330(b)(3) or 1302(7) of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 254b(b)(3), 300e–1(7)], (II) as a health professional shortage area described in section 332(a)(1)(A) of that Act [42 U.S.C. 254e(a)(1)(A)] because of its shortage of primary medical care manpower, (III) as a high impact area described in section 329(a)(5) 8 of that Act, or (IV) as an area which includes a population group which the Secretary determines has a health manpower shortage under section 332(a)(1)(B) of that Act [42 U.S.C. 254e(a)(1)(B)], (ii) has filed an agreement with the Secretary by which it agrees not to charge any individual or other person for items or services for which such individual is entitled to have payment made under this subchapter, except for the amount of any deductible or coinsurance amount imposed with respect to such items or services (not in excess of the amount customarily charged for such items and services by such clinic), pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of section 1395l of this title, (iii) employs a physician assistant or nurse practitioner, and (iv) is not a rehabilitation agency or a facility which is primarily for the care and treatment of mental diseases. A facility that is in operation and qualifies as a rural health clinic under this subchapter or subchapter XIX and that subsequently fails to satisfy the requirement of clause (i) shall be considered, for purposes of this subchapter and subchapter XIX, as still satisfying the requirement of such clause if it is determined, in accordance with criteria established by the Secretary in regulations, to be essential to the delivery of primary care services that would otherwise be unavailable in the geographic area served by the clinic. If a State agency has determined under section 1395aa(a) of this title that a facility is a rural health clinic and the facility has applied to the Secretary for approval as such a clinic, the Secretary shall notify the facility of the Secretary’s approval or disapproval not later than 60 days after the date of the State agency determination or the application (whichever is later).
(3) The term “Federally qualified health center services” means—
(A) services of the type described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (1) and preventive services (as defined in subsection (ddd)(3)); and
(B) preventive primary health services that a center is required to provide under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 254b],
when furnished to an individual as an outpatient of a Federally qualified health center by the center or by a health care professional under contract with the center and, for this purpose, any reference to a rural health clinic or a physician described in paragraph (2)(B) is deemed a reference to a Federally qualified health center or a physician at the center, respectively.
(4) The term “Federally qualified health center” means an entity which—
(A)
(i) is receiving a grant under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 254b], or
(ii)(I) is receiving funding from such a grant under a contract with the recipient of such a grant, and (II) meets the requirements to receive a grant under section 330 of such Act [42 U.S.C. 254b];
(B) based on the recommendation of the Health Resources and Services Administration within the Public Health Service, is determined by the Secretary to meet the requirements for receiving such a grant;
(C) was treated by the Secretary, for purposes of part B, as a comprehensive Federally funded health center as of January 1, 1990; or
(D) is an outpatient health program or facility operated by a tribe or tribal organization under the Indian Self-Determination Act [25 U.S.C. 5321 et seq.] or by an urban Indian organization receiving funds under title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act [25 U.S.C. 1651 et seq.].
(5)
(A) The term “physician assistant” and the term “nurse practitioner” mean, for purposes of this subchapter, a physician assistant or nurse practitioner who performs such services as such individual is legally authorized to perform (in the State in which the individual performs such services) in accordance with State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law), and who meets such training, education, and experience requirements (or any combination thereof) as the Secretary may prescribe in regulations.
(B) The term “clinical nurse specialist” means, for purposes of this subchapter, an individual who—
(i) is a registered nurse and is licensed to practice nursing in the State in which the clinical nurse specialist services are performed; and
(ii) holds a master’s degree in a defined clinical area of nursing from an accredited educational institution.
(6) The term “collaboration” means a process in which a nurse practitioner works with a physician to deliver health care services within the scope of the practitioner’s professional expertise, with medical direction and appropriate supervision as provided for in jointly developed guidelines or other mechanisms as defined by the law of the State in which the services are performed.
(7)
(A) The Secretary shall waive for a 1-year period the requirements of paragraph (2) that a rural health clinic employ a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife or that such clinic require such providers to furnish services at least 50 percent of the time that the clinic operates for any facility that requests such waiver if the facility demonstrates that the facility has been unable, despite reasonable efforts, to hire a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or certified nurse-midwife in the previous 90-day period.
(B) The Secretary may not grant such a waiver under subparagraph (A) to a facility if the request for the waiver is made less than 6 months after the date of the expiration of any previous such waiver for the facility, or if the facility has not yet been determined to meet the requirements (including subparagraph (J) of the first sentence of paragraph (2)) of a rural health clinic.
(C) A waiver which is requested under this paragraph shall be deemed granted unless such request is denied by the Secretary within 60 days after the date such request is received.
(bb) Services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist
(1) The term “services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist” means anesthesia services and related care furnished by a certified registered nurse anesthetist (as defined in paragraph (2)) which the nurse anesthetist is legally authorized to perform as such by the State in which the services are furnished.
(2) The term “certified registered nurse anesthetist” means a certified registered nurse anesthetist licensed by the State who meets such education, training, and other requirements relating to anesthesia services and related care as the Secretary may prescribe. In prescribing such requirements the Secretary may use the same requirements as those established by a national organization for the certification of nurse anesthetists. Such term also includes, as prescribed by the Secretary, an anesthesiologist assistant.
(cc) Comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility services
(1) The term “comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility services” means the following items and services furnished by a physician or other qualified professional personnel (as defined in regulations by the Secretary) to an individual who is an outpatient of a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility under a plan (for furnishing such items and services to such individual) established and periodically reviewed by a physician—
(A) physicians’ services;
(B) physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology services, and respiratory therapy;
(C) prosthetic and orthotic devices, including testing, fitting, or training in the use of prosthetic and orthotic devices;
(D) social and psychological services;
(E) nursing care provided by or under the supervision of a registered professional nurse;
(F) drugs and biologicals which cannot, as determined in accordance with regulations, be self-administered;
(G) supplies and durable medical equipment; and
(H) such other items and services as are medically necessary for the rehabilitation of the patient and are ordinarily furnished by comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities,
excluding, however, any item or service if it would not be included under subsection (b) if furnished to an inpatient of a hospital. In the case of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech pathology services, there shall be no requirement that the item or service be furnished at any single fixed location if the item or service is furnished pursuant to such plan and payments are not otherwise made for the item or service under this subchapter.
(2) The term “comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility” means a facility which—
(A) is primarily engaged in providing (by or under the supervision of physicians) diagnostic, therapeutic, and restorative services to outpatients for the rehabilitation of injured, disabled, or sick persons;
(B) provides at least the following comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation services: (i) physicians’ services (rendered by physicians, as defined in subsection (r)(1), who are available at the facility on a full- or part-time basis); (ii) physical therapy; and (iii) social or psychological services;
(C) maintains clinical records on all patients;
(D) has policies established by a group of professional personnel (associated with the facility), including one or more physicians defined in subsection (r)(1) to govern the comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation services it furnishes, and provides for the carrying out of such policies by a full- or part-time physician referred to in subparagraph (B)(i);
(E) has a requirement that every patient must be under the care of a physician;
(F) in the case of a facility in any State in which State or applicable local law provides for the licensing of facilities of this nature (i) is licensed pursuant to such law, or (ii) is approved by the agency of such State or locality, responsible for licensing facilities of this nature, as meeting the standards established for such licensing;
(G) has in effect a utilization review plan in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary;
(H) has in effect an overall plan and budget that meets the requirements of subsection (z);
(I) provides the Secretary on a continuing basis with a surety bond in a form specified by the Secretary and in an amount that is not less than $50,000; and
(J) meets such other conditions of participation as the Secretary may find necessary in the interest of the health and safety of individuals who are furnished services by such facility, including conditions concerning qualifications of personnel in these facilities.
The Secretary may waive the requirement of a surety bond under subparagraph (I) in the case of a facility that provides a comparable surety bond under State law.
(dd) Hospice care; hospice program; definitions; certification; waiver by Secretary
(1) The term “hospice care” means the following items and services provided to a terminally ill individual by, or by others under arrangements made by, a hospice program under a written plan (for providing such care to such individual) established and periodically reviewed by the individual’s attending physician and by the medical director (and by the interdisciplinary group described in paragraph (2)(B)) of the program—
(A) nursing care provided by or under the supervision of a registered professional nurse,
(B) physical or occupational therapy, or speech-language pathology services,
(C) medical social services under the direction of a physician,
(D)
(i) services of a home health aide who has successfully completed a training program approved by the Secretary and (ii) homemaker services,
(E) medical supplies (including drugs and biologicals) and the use of medical appliances, while under such a plan,
(F) physicians’ services,
(G) short-term inpatient care (including both respite care and procedures necessary for pain control and acute and chronic symptom management) in an inpatient facility meeting such conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to provide such care, but such respite care may be provided only on an intermittent, nonroutine, and occasional basis and may not be provided consecutively over longer than five days,
(H) counseling (including dietary counseling) with respect to care of the terminally ill individual and adjustment to his death, and
(I) any other item or service which is specified in the plan and for which payment may otherwise be made under this subchapter.
The care and services described in subparagraphs (A) and (D) may be provided on a 24-hour, continuous basis only during periods of crisis (meeting criteria established by the Secretary) and only as necessary to maintain the terminally ill individual at home.
(2) The term “hospice program” means a public agency or private organization (or a subdivision thereof) which—
(A)
(i) is primarily engaged in providing the care and services described in paragraph (1) and makes such services available (as needed) on a 24-hour basis and which also provides bereavement counseling for the immediate family of terminally ill individuals and services described in section 1395d(a)(5) of this title,
(ii) provides for such care and services in individuals’ homes, on an outpatient basis, and on a short-term inpatient basis, directly or under arrangements made by the agency or organization, except that—(I) the agency or organization must routinely provide directly substantially all of each of the services described in subparagraphs (A), (C), and (H) of paragraph (1), except as otherwise provided in paragraph (5), and(II) in the case of other services described in paragraph (1) which are not provided directly by the agency or organization, the agency or organization must maintain professional management responsibility for all such services furnished to an individual, regardless of the location or facility in which such services are furnished; and
(iii) provides assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the aggregate number of days of inpatient care described in paragraph (1)(G) provided in any 12-month period to individuals who have an election in effect under section 1395d(d) of this title with respect to that agency or organization does not exceed 20 percent of the aggregate number of days during that period on which such elections for such individuals are in effect;
(B) has an interdisciplinary group of personnel which—
(i) includes at least—(I) one physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)),(II) one registered professional nurse, and(III) one social worker, marriage and family therapist, or mental health counselor,
employed by or, in the case of a physician described in subclause (I), under contract with the agency or organization, and also includes at least one pastoral or other counselor,
(ii) provides (or supervises the provision of) the care and services described in paragraph (1), and
(iii) establishes the policies governing the provision of such care and services;
(C) maintains central clinical records on all patients;
(D) does not discontinue the hospice care it provides with respect to a patient because of the inability of the patient to pay for such care;
(E)
(i) utilizes volunteers in its provision of care and services in accordance with standards set by the Secretary, which standards shall ensure a continuing level of effort to utilize such volunteers, and (ii) maintains records on the use of these volunteers and the cost savings and expansion of care and services achieved through the use of these volunteers;
(F) in the case of an agency or organization in any State in which State or applicable local law provides for the licensing of agencies or organizations of this nature, is licensed pursuant to such law; and
(G) meets such other requirements as the Secretary may find necessary in the interest of the health and safety of the individuals who are provided care and services by such agency or organization.
(3)
(A) An individual is considered to be “terminally ill” if the individual has a medical prognosis that the individual’s life expectancy is 6 months or less.
(B) The term “attending physician” means, with respect to an individual, the physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)), the nurse practitioner (as defined in subsection (aa)(5)), or the physician assistant (as defined in such subsection), who may be employed by a hospice program, whom the individual identifies as having the most significant role in the determination and delivery of medical care to the individual at the time the individual makes an election to receive hospice care.
(4)
(A) An entity which is certified as a provider of services other than a hospice program shall be considered, for purposes of certification as a hospice program, to have met any requirements under paragraph (2) which are also the same requirements for certification as such other type of provider. The Secretary shall coordinate surveys for determining certification under this subchapter so as to provide, to the extent feasible, for simultaneous surveys of an entity which seeks to be certified as a hospice program and as a provider of services of another type.
(B) Any entity which is certified as a hospice program and as a provider of another type shall have separate provider agreements under section 1395cc of this title and shall file separate cost reports with respect to costs incurred in providing hospice care and in providing other services and items under this subchapter.
(5)
(A) The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraph (2)(A)(ii)(I) for an agency or organization with respect to all or part of the nursing care described in paragraph (1)(A) if such agency or organization—
(i) is located in an area which is not an urbanized area (as defined by the Bureau of the Census);
(ii) was in operation on or before January 1, 1983; and
(iii) has demonstrated a good faith effort (as determined by the Secretary) to hire a sufficient number of nurses to provide such nursing care directly.
(B) Any waiver, which is in such form and containing such information as the Secretary may require and which is requested by an agency or organization under subparagraph (A) or (C), shall be deemed to be granted unless such request is denied by the Secretary within 60 days after the date such request is received by the Secretary. The granting of a waiver under subparagraph (A) or (C) shall not preclude the granting of any subsequent waiver request should such a waiver again become necessary.
(C) The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraph (2)(A)(i) and (2)(A)(ii) for an agency or organization with respect to the services described in paragraph (1)(B) and, with respect to dietary counseling, paragraph (1)(H), if such agency or organization—
(i) is located in an area which is not an urbanized area (as defined by the Bureau of Census), and
(ii) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the agency or organization has been unable, despite diligent efforts, to recruit appropriate personnel.
(D) In extraordinary, exigent, or other non-routine circumstances, such as unanticipated periods of high patient loads, staffing shortages due to illness or other events, or temporary travel of a patient outside a hospice program’s service area, a hospice program may enter into arrangements with another hospice program for the provision by that other program of services described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii)(I). The provisions of paragraph (2)(A)(ii)(II) shall apply with respect to the services provided under such arrangements.
(E) A hospice program may provide services described in paragraph (1)(A) other than directly by the program if the services are highly specialized services of a registered professional nurse and are provided non-routinely and so infrequently so that the provision of such services directly would be impracticable and prohibitively expensive.
(ee) Discharge planning process
(1) A discharge planning process of a hospital shall be considered sufficient if it is applicable to services furnished by the hospital to individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter and if it meets the guidelines and standards established by the Secretary under paragraph (2).
(2) The Secretary shall develop guidelines and standards for the discharge planning process in order to ensure a timely and smooth transition to the most appropriate type of and setting for post-hospital or rehabilitative care. The guidelines and standards shall include the following:
(A) The hospital must identify, at an early stage of hospitalization, those patients who are likely to suffer adverse health consequences upon discharge in the absence of adequate discharge planning.
(B) Hospitals must provide a discharge planning evaluation for patients identified under subparagraph (A) and for other patients upon the request of the patient, patient’s representative, or patient’s physician.
(C) Any discharge planning evaluation must be made on a timely basis to ensure that appropriate arrangements for post-hospital care will be made before discharge and to avoid unnecessary delays in discharge.
(D) A discharge planning evaluation must include an evaluation of a patient’s likely need for appropriate post-hospital services, including hospice care and post-hospital extended care services, and the availability of those services, including the availability of home health services through individuals and entities that participate in the program under this subchapter and that serve the area in which the patient resides and that request to be listed by the hospital as available and, in the case of individuals who are likely to need post-hospital extended care services, the availability of such services through facilities that participate in the program under this subchapter and that serve the area in which the patient resides.
(E) The discharge planning evaluation must be included in the patient’s medical record for use in establishing an appropriate discharge plan and the results of the evaluation must be discussed with the patient (or the patient’s representative).
(F) Upon the request of a patient’s physician, the hospital must arrange for the development and initial implementation of a discharge plan for the patient.
(G) Any discharge planning evaluation or discharge plan required under this paragraph must be developed by, or under the supervision of, a registered professional nurse, social worker, or other appropriately qualified personnel.
(H) Consistent with section 1395a of this title, the discharge plan shall—
(i) not specify or otherwise limit the qualified provider which may provide post-hospital home health services, and
(ii) identify (in a form and manner specified by the Secretary) any entity to whom the individual is referred in which the hospital has a disclosable financial interest (as specified by the Secretary consistent with section 1395cc(a)(1)(S) of this title) or which has such an interest in the hospital.
(3) With respect to a discharge plan for an individual who is enrolled with a Medicare+Choice organization under a Medicare+Choice plan and is furnished inpatient hospital services by a hospital under a contract with the organization—
(A) the discharge planning evaluation under paragraph (2)(D) is not required to include information on the availability of home health services through individuals and entities which do not have a contract with the organization; and
(B) notwithstanding subparagraph (H)(i) 9
9 So in original. Probably should be “paragraph (2)(H)(i)”.
, the plan may specify or limit the provider (or providers) of post-hospital home health services or other post-hospital services under the plan.
(ff) Partial hospitalization services; intensive outpatient services
(1) The term “partial hospitalization services” means the items and services described in paragraph (2) prescribed by a physician for an individual determined (not less frequently than monthly) by a physician to have a need for such services for a minimum of 20 hours per week and provided under a program described in paragraph (3) under the supervision of a physician pursuant to an individualized, written plan of treatment established and periodically reviewed by a physician (in consultation with appropriate staff participating in such program), which plan sets forth the physician’s diagnosis, the type, amount, frequency, and duration of the items and services provided under the plan, and the goals for treatment under the plan.
(2) The items and services described in this paragraph are—
(A) individual and group therapy with physicians or psychologists (or other mental health professionals to the extent authorized under State law),
(B) occupational therapy requiring the skills of a qualified occupational therapist,
(C) services of social workers, trained psychiatric nurses, and other staff trained to work with psychiatric patients,
(D) drugs and biologicals furnished for therapeutic purposes (which cannot, as determined in accordance with regulations, be self-administered),
(E) individualized activity therapies that are not primarily recreational or diversionary,
(F) family counseling (the primary purpose of which is treatment of the individual’s condition),
(G) patient training and education (to the extent that training and educational activities are closely and clearly related to individual’s care and treatment),
(H) diagnostic services, and
(I) such other items and services as the Secretary may provide (but in no event to include meals and transportation);
that are reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or active treatment of the individual’s condition, reasonably expected to improve or maintain the individual’s condition and functional level and to prevent relapse or hospitalization, and furnished pursuant to such guidelines relating to frequency and duration of services as the Secretary shall by regulation establish (taking into account accepted norms of medical practice and the reasonable expectation of patient improvement).
(3)
(A) A program described in this paragraph is a program which is furnished by a hospital to its outpatients or by a community mental health center (as defined in subparagraph (B)), and which is a distinct and organized intensive ambulatory treatment service offering less than 24-hour-daily care other than in an individual’s home or in an inpatient or residential setting.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “community mental health center” means an entity that—
(i)(I) provides the mental health services described in section 1913(c)(1) of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 300x–2(c)(1)]; or(II) in the case of an entity operating in a State that by law precludes the entity from providing itself the service described in subparagraph (E) of such section, provides for such service by contract with an approved organization or entity (as determined by the Secretary);
(ii) meets applicable licensing or certification requirements for community mental health centers in the State in which it is located;
(iii) provides at least 40 percent of its services to individuals who are not eligible for benefits under this subchapter; and
(iv) meets such additional conditions as the Secretary shall specify to ensure (I) the health and safety of individuals being furnished such services, (II) the effective and efficient furnishing of such services, and (III) the compliance of such entity with the criteria described in section 1931(c)(1) of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 300x–31(c)(1)].
(4) The term “intensive outpatient services” has the meaning given the term “partial hospitalization services” in paragraph (1), except that—
(A)section 1395n(a)(2)(F)(i) of this title shall not apply;
(B) the reference in such paragraph to an individual “determined (not less frequently than monthly) by a physician to have a need for such services for a minimum of 20 hours per week” shall be treated as a reference to an individual “determined (not less frequently than once every other month) by a physician to have a need for such services for a minimum of 9 hours per week”; and
(C) the reference to “a community mental health center (as defined in subparagraph (B))” in paragraph (3) shall be treated as a reference to “a community mental health center (as defined in subparagraph (B)), a Federally qualified health center, or a rural health clinic”.
(gg) Certified nurse-midwife services
(1) The term “certified nurse-midwife services” means such services furnished by a certified nurse-midwife (as defined in paragraph (2)) and such services and supplies furnished as an incident to the nurse-midwife’s service which the certified nurse-midwife is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physicians’ service.
(2) The term “certified nurse-midwife” means a registered nurse who has successfully completed a program of study and clinical experience meeting guidelines prescribed by the Secretary, or has been certified by an organization recognized by the Secretary.
(hh) Clinical social worker; clinical social worker services
(1) The term “clinical social worker” means an individual who—
(A) possesses a master’s or doctor’s degree in social work;
(B) after obtaining such degree has performed at least 2 years of supervised clinical social work; and
(C)
(i) is licensed or certified as a clinical social worker by the State in which the services are performed, or
(ii) in the case of an individual in a State which does not provide for licensure or certification—(I) has completed at least 2 years or 3,000 hours of post-master’s degree supervised clinical social work practice under the supervision of a master’s level social worker in an appropriate setting (as determined by the Secretary), and(II) meets such other criteria as the Secretary establishes.
(2) The term “clinical social worker services” means services performed by a clinical social worker (as defined in paragraph (1)) for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses (other than services furnished to an inpatient of a hospital and other than services furnished to an inpatient of a skilled nursing facility which the facility is required to provide as a requirement for participation) which the clinical social worker is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) of the State in which such services are performed as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physician’s professional service.
(ii) Qualified psychologist services
(jj) Screening mammography
(kk) Covered osteoporosis drugThe term “covered osteoporosis drug” means an injectable drug approved for the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis provided to an individual by a home health agency if, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary—
(1) the individual’s attending physician, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)), certified nurse-midwife (as defined in subsection (gg)), or physician assistant (as defined in subsection (aa)(5)) certifies that the individual has suffered a bone fracture related to post-menopausal osteoporosis and that the individual is unable to learn the skills needed to self-administer such drug or is otherwise physically or mentally incapable of self-administering such drug; and
(2) the individual is confined to the individual’s home (except when receiving items and services referred to in subsection (m)(7)).
(ll) Speech-language pathology services; audiology services
(1) The term “speech-language pathology services” means such speech, language, and related function assessment and rehabilitation services furnished by a qualified speech-language pathologist as the speech-language pathologist is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician.
(2) The term “outpatient speech-language pathology services” has the meaning given the term “outpatient physical therapy services” in subsection (p), except that in applying such subsection—
(A) “speech-language pathology” shall be substituted for “physical therapy” each place it appears; and
(B) “speech-language pathologist” shall be substituted for “physical therapist” each place it appears.
(3) The term “audiology services” means such hearing and balance assessment services furnished by a qualified audiologist as the audiologist is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law), as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician.
(4) In this subsection:
(A) The term “qualified speech-language pathologist” means an individual with a master’s or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology who—
(i) is licensed as a speech-language pathologist by the State in which the individual furnishes such services, or
(ii) in the case of an individual who furnishes services in a State which does not license speech-language pathologists, has successfully completed 350 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum (or is in the process of accumulating such supervised clinical experience), performed not less than 9 months of supervised full-time speech-language pathology services after obtaining a master’s or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology or a related field, and successfully completed a national examination in speech-language pathology approved by the Secretary.
(B) The term “qualified audiologist” means an individual with a master’s or doctoral degree in audiology who—
(i) is licensed as an audiologist by the State in which the individual furnishes such services, or
(ii) in the case of an individual who furnishes services in a State which does not license audiologists, has successfully completed 350 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum (or is in the process of accumulating such supervised clinical experience), performed not less than 9 months of supervised full-time audiology services after obtaining a master’s or doctoral degree in audiology or a related field, and successfully completed a national examination in audiology approved by the Secretary.
(mm) Critical access hospital; critical access hospital services
(1) The term “critical access hospital” means a facility certified by the Secretary as a critical access hospital under section 1395i–4(e) of this title.
(2) The term “inpatient critical access hospital services” means items and services, furnished to an inpatient of a critical access hospital by such facility, that would be inpatient hospital services if furnished to an inpatient of a hospital by a hospital.
(3) The term “outpatient critical access hospital services” means medical and other health services furnished by a critical access hospital on an outpatient basis.
(nn) Screening pap smear; screening pelvic exam
(1) The term “screening pap smear” means a diagnostic laboratory test consisting of a routine exfoliative cytology test (Papanicolaou test) provided to a woman for the purpose of early detection of cervical or vaginal cancer and includes a physician’s interpretation of the results of the test, if the individual involved has not had such a test during the preceding 2 years, or during the preceding year in the case of a woman described in paragraph (3).
(2) The term “screening pelvic exam” means a pelvic examination provided to a woman if the woman involved has not had such an examination during the preceding 2 years, or during the preceding year in the case of a woman described in paragraph (3), and includes a clinical breast examination.
(3) A woman described in this paragraph is a woman who—
(A) is of childbearing age and has had a test described in this subsection during any of the preceding 3 years that indicated the presence of cervical or vaginal cancer or other abnormality; or
(B) is at high risk of developing cervical or vaginal cancer (as determined pursuant to factors identified by the Secretary).
(oo) Prostate cancer screening tests
(1) The term “prostate cancer screening test” means a test that consists of any (or all) of the procedures described in paragraph (2) provided for the purpose of early detection of prostate cancer to a man over 50 years of age who has not had such a test during the preceding year.
(2) The procedures described in this paragraph are as follows:
(A) A digital rectal examination.
(B) A prostate-specific antigen blood test.
(C) For years beginning after 2002, such other procedures as the Secretary finds appropriate for the purpose of early detection of prostate cancer, taking into account changes in technology and standards of medical practice, availability, effectiveness, costs, and such other factors as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(pp) Colorectal cancer screening tests
(1) The term “colorectal cancer screening test” means any of the following procedures furnished to an individual for the purpose of early detection of colorectal cancer:
(A) Screening fecal-occult blood test.
(B) Screening flexible sigmoidoscopy.
(C) Screening colonoscopy.
(D) Such other tests or procedures, and modifications to tests and procedures under this subsection, with such frequency and payment limits, as the Secretary determines appropriate, in consultation with appropriate organizations.
(2) An “individual at high risk for colorectal cancer” is an individual who, because of family history, prior experience of cancer or precursor neoplastic polyps, a history of chronic digestive disease condition (including inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s Disease, or ulcerative colitis), the presence of any appropriate recognized gene markers for colorectal cancer, or other predisposing factors, faces a high risk for colorectal cancer.
(qq) Diabetes outpatient self-management training services
(1) The term “diabetes outpatient self-management training services” means educational and training services furnished (at such times as the Secretary determines appropriate) to an individual with diabetes by a certified provider (as described in paragraph (2)(A)) in an outpatient setting by an individual or entity who meets the quality standards described in paragraph (2)(B), but only if the physician who is managing the individual’s diabetic condition certifies that such services are needed under a comprehensive plan of care related to the individual’s diabetic condition to ensure therapy compliance or to provide the individual with necessary skills and knowledge (including skills related to the self-administration of injectable drugs) to participate in the management of the individual’s condition.
(2) In paragraph (1)—
(A) a “certified provider” is a physician, or other individual or entity designated by the Secretary, that, in addition to providing diabetes outpatient self-management training services, provides other items or services for which payment may be made under this subchapter; and
(B) a physician, or such other individual or entity, meets the quality standards described in this paragraph if the physician, or individual or entity, meets quality standards established by the Secretary, except that the physician or other individual or entity shall be deemed to have met such standards if the physician or other individual or entity meets applicable standards originally established by the National Diabetes Advisory Board and subsequently revised by organizations who participated in the establishment of standards by such Board, or is recognized by an organization that represents individuals (including individuals under this subchapter) with diabetes as meeting standards for furnishing the services.
(rr) Bone mass measurement
(1) The term “bone mass measurement” means a radiologic or radioisotopic procedure or other procedure approved by the Food and Drug Administration performed on a qualified individual (as defined in paragraph (2)) for the purpose of identifying bone mass or detecting bone loss or determining bone quality, and includes a physician’s interpretation of the results of the procedure.
(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified individual” means an individual who is (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary)—
(A) an estrogen-deficient woman at clinical risk for osteoporosis;
(B) an individual with vertebral abnormalities;
(C) an individual receiving long-term glucocorticoid steroid therapy;
(D) an individual with primary hyperparathyroidism; or
(E) an individual being monitored to assess the response to or efficacy of an approved osteoporosis drug therapy.
(3) The Secretary shall establish such standards regarding the frequency with which a qualified individual shall be eligible to be provided benefits for bone mass measurement under this subchapter.
(ss) Religious nonmedical health care institution
(1) The term “religious nonmedical health care institution” means an institution that—
(A) is described in subsection (c)(3) of section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt from taxes under subsection (a) of such section;
(B) is lawfully operated under all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations;
(C) provides only nonmedical nursing items and services exclusively to patients who choose to rely solely upon a religious method of healing and for whom the acceptance of medical health services would be inconsistent with their religious beliefs;
(D) provides such nonmedical items and services exclusively through nonmedical nursing personnel who are experienced in caring for the physical needs of such patients;
(E) provides such nonmedical items and services to inpatients on a 24-hour basis;
(F) on the basis of its religious beliefs, does not provide through its personnel or otherwise medical items and services (including any medical screening, examination, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, or the administration of drugs) for its patients;
(G)
(i) is not owned by, under common ownership with, or has an ownership interest in, a provider of medical treatment or services;
(ii) is not affiliated with—(I) a provider of medical treatment or services, or(II) an individual who has an ownership interest in a provider of medical treatment or services;
(H) has in effect a utilization review plan which—
(i) provides for the review of admissions to the institution, of the duration of stays therein, of cases of continuous extended duration, and of the items and services furnished by the institution,
(ii) requires that such reviews be made by an appropriate committee of the institution that includes the individuals responsible for overall administration and for supervision of nursing personnel at the institution,
(iii) provides that records be maintained of the meetings, decisions, and actions of such committee, and
(iv) meets such other requirements as the Secretary finds necessary to establish an effective utilization review plan;
(I) provides the Secretary with such information as the Secretary may require to implement section 1395i–5 of this title, including information relating to quality of care and coverage determinations; and
(J) meets such other requirements as the Secretary finds necessary in the interest of the health and safety of individuals who are furnished services in the institution.
(2) To the extent that the Secretary finds that the accreditation of an institution by a State, regional, or national agency or association provides reasonable assurances that any or all of the requirements of paragraph (1) are met or exceeded, the Secretary may treat such institution as meeting the condition or conditions with respect to which the Secretary made such finding.
(3)
(A)
(i) In administering this subsection and section 1395i–5 of this title, the Secretary shall not require any patient of a religious nonmedical health care institution to undergo medical screening, examination, diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment or to accept any other medical health care service, if such patient (or legal representative of the patient) objects thereto on religious grounds.
(ii) Clause (i) shall not be construed as preventing the Secretary from requiring under section 1395i–5(a)(2) of this title the provision of sufficient information regarding an individual’s condition as a condition for receipt of benefits under part A for services provided in such an institution.
(B)
(i) In administering this subsection and section 1395i–5 of this title, the Secretary shall not subject a religious nonmedical health care institution or its personnel to any medical supervision, regulation, or control, insofar as such supervision, regulation, or control would be contrary to the religious beliefs observed by the institution or such personnel.
(ii) Clause (i) shall not be construed as preventing the Secretary from reviewing items and services billed by the institution to the extent the Secretary determines such review to be necessary to determine whether such items and services were not covered under part A, are excessive, or are fraudulent.
(4)
(A) For purposes of paragraph (1)(G)(i), an ownership interest of less than 5 percent shall not be taken into account.
(B) For purposes of paragraph (1)(G)(ii), none of the following shall be considered to create an affiliation:
(i) An individual serving as an uncompensated director, trustee, officer, or other member of the governing body of a religious nonmedical health care institution.
(ii) An individual who is a director, trustee, officer, employee, or staff member of a religious nonmedical health care institution having a family relationship with an individual who is affiliated with (or has an ownership interest in) a provider of medical treatment or services.
(iii) An individual or entity furnishing goods or services as a vendor to both providers of medical treatment or services and religious nonmedical health care institutions.
(tt) Post-institutional home health services; home health spell of illness
(1) The term “post-institutional home health services” means home health services furnished to an individual—
(A) after discharge from a hospital or critical access hospital in which the individual was an inpatient for not less than 3 consecutive days before such discharge if such home health services were initiated within 14 days after the date of such discharge; or
(B) after discharge from a skilled nursing facility in which the individual was provided post-hospital extended care services if such home health services were initiated within 14 days after the date of such discharge.
(2) The term “home health spell of illness” with respect to any individual means a period of consecutive days—
(A) beginning with the first day (not included in a previous home health spell of illness) (i) on which such individual is furnished post-institutional home health services, and (ii) which occurs in a month for which the individual is entitled to benefits under part A, and
(B) ending with the close of the first period of 60 consecutive days thereafter on each of which the individual is neither an inpatient of a hospital or critical access hospital nor an inpatient of a facility described in section 1395i–3(a)(1) of this title or subsection (y)(1) nor provided home health services.
(uu) Screening for glaucoma
(vv) Medical nutrition therapy services; registered dietitian or nutrition professional
(1) The term “medical nutrition therapy services” means nutritional diagnostic, therapy, and counseling services for the purpose of disease management which are furnished by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional (as defined in paragraph (2)) pursuant to a referral by a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)).
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the term “registered dietitian or nutrition professional” means an individual who—
(A) holds a baccalaureate or higher degree granted by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States (or an equivalent foreign degree) with completion of the academic requirements of a program in nutrition or dietetics, as accredited by an appropriate national accreditation organization recognized by the Secretary for this purpose;
(B) has completed at least 900 hours of supervised dietetics practice under the supervision of a registered dietitian or nutrition professional; and
(C)
(i) is licensed or certified as a dietitian or nutrition professional by the State in which the services are performed; or
(ii) in the case of an individual in a State that does not provide for such licensure or certification, meets such other criteria as the Secretary establishes.
(3) Subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) shall not apply in the case of an individual who, as of December 21, 2000, is licensed or certified as a dietitian or nutrition professional by the State in which medical nutrition therapy services are performed.
(ww) Initial preventive physical examination
(1) The term “initial preventive physical examination” means physicians’ services consisting of a physical examination (including measurement of height, weight body mass index,,10
10 So in original. Probably should be “weight, body mass index,”.
and blood pressure) with the goal of health promotion and disease detection and includes education, counseling, and referral with respect to screening and other preventive services described in paragraph (2), end-of-life planning (as defined in paragraph (3)) upon the agreement with the individual, and the furnishing of a review of any current opioid prescriptions (as defined in paragraph (4)), but does not include clinical laboratory tests.
(2) The screening and other preventive services described in this paragraph include the following:
(A) Pneumococcal, influenza, and hepatitis B vaccine and administration under subsection (s)(10).
(B) Screening mammography as defined in subsection (jj).
(C) Screening pap smear and screening pelvic exam as defined in subsection (nn).
(D) Prostate cancer screening tests as defined in subsection (oo).
(E) Colorectal cancer screening tests as defined in subsection (pp).
(F) Diabetes outpatient self-management training services as defined in subsection (qq)(1).
(G) Bone mass measurement as defined in subsection (rr).
(H) Screening for glaucoma as defined in subsection (uu).
(I) Medical nutrition therapy services as defined in subsection (vv).
(J) Cardiovascular screening blood tests as defined in subsection (xx)(1).
(K) Diabetes screening tests as defined in subsection (yy).
(L) Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm as defined in subsection (bbb).
(M) An electrocardiogram.
(N) Screening for potential substance use disorders.
(O) Additional preventive services (as defined in subsection (ddd)(1)).
(3) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “end-of-life planning” means verbal or written information regarding—
(A) an individual’s ability to prepare an advance directive in the case that an injury or illness causes the individual to be unable to make health care decisions; and
(B) whether or not the physician is willing to follow the individual’s wishes as expressed in an advance directive.
(4) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “a review of any current opioid prescriptions” means, with respect to an individual determined to have a current prescription for opioids—
(A) a review of the potential risk factors to the individual for opioid use disorder;
(B) an evaluation of the individual’s severity of pain and current treatment plan;
(C) the provision of information on non-opioid treatment options; and
(D) a referral to a specialist, as appropriate.
(xx) Cardiovascular screening blood test
(1) The term “cardiovascular screening blood test” means a blood test for the early detection of cardiovascular disease (or abnormalities associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease) that tests for the following:
(A) Cholesterol levels and other lipid or triglyceride levels.
(B) Such other indications associated with the presence of, or an elevated risk for, cardiovascular disease as the Secretary may approve for all individuals (or for some individuals determined by the Secretary to be at risk for cardiovascular disease), including indications measured by noninvasive testing.
The Secretary may not approve an indication under subparagraph (B) for any individual unless a blood test for such is recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.
(2) The Secretary shall establish standards, in consultation with appropriate organizations, regarding the frequency for each type of cardiovascular screening blood tests, except that such frequency may not be more often than once every 2 years.
(yy) Diabetes screening tests
(1) The term “diabetes screening tests” means testing furnished to an individual at risk for diabetes (as defined in paragraph (2)) for the purpose of early detection of diabetes, including—
(A) a fasting plasma glucose test; and
(B) such other tests, and modifications to tests, as the Secretary determines appropriate, in consultation with appropriate organizations.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “individual at risk for diabetes” means an individual who has any of the following risk factors for diabetes:
(A) Hypertension.
(B) Dyslipidemia.
(C) Obesity, defined as a body mass index greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2.
(D) Previous identification of an elevated impaired fasting glucose.
(E) Previous identification of impaired glucose tolerance.
(F) A risk factor consisting of at least 2 of the following characteristics:
(i) Overweight, defined as a body mass index greater than 25, but less than 30, kg/m2.
(ii) A family history of diabetes.
(iii) A history of gestational diabetes mellitus or delivery of a baby weighing greater than 9 pounds.
(iv) 65 years of age or older.
(3) The Secretary shall establish standards, in consultation with appropriate organizations, regarding the frequency of diabetes screening tests, except that such frequency may not be more often than twice within the 12-month period following the date of the most recent diabetes screening test of that individual.
(zz) Intravenous immune globulin
(aaa) Extended care in religious nonmedical health care institutions
(1) The term “home health agency” also includes a religious nonmedical health care institution (as defined in subsection (ss)(1)), but only with respect to items and services ordinarily furnished by such an institution to individuals in their homes, and that are comparable to items and services furnished to individuals by a home health agency that is not religious nonmedical health care institution.
(2)
(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B), payment may be made with respect to services provided by such an institution only to such extent and under such conditions, limitations, and requirements (in addition to or in lieu of the conditions, limitations, and requirements otherwise applicable) as may be provided in regulations consistent with section 1395i–5 of this title.
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, payment may not be made under subparagraph (A)—
(i) in a year insofar as such payments exceed $700,000; and
(ii) after December 31, 2006.
(bbb) Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysmThe term “ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm” means—
(1) a procedure using sound waves (or such other procedures using alternative technologies, of commensurate accuracy and cost, that the Secretary may specify) provided for the early detection of abdominal aortic aneurysm; and
(2) includes a physician’s interpretation of the results of the procedure.
(ccc) Long-term care hospital The term “long-term care hospital” means a hospital which—
(1) is primarily engaged in providing inpatient services, by or under the supervision of a physician, to Medicare beneficiaries whose medically complex conditions require a long hospital stay and programs of care provided by a long-term care hospital;
(2) has an average inpatient length of stay (as determined by the Secretary) of greater than 25 days, or meets the requirements of clause (II) 8 of section 1395ww(d)(1)(B)(iv) of this title;
(3) satisfies the requirements of subsection (e); and
(4) meets the following facility criteria:
(A) the institution has a patient review process, documented in the patient medical record, that screens patients prior to admission for appropriateness of admission to a long-term care hospital, validates within 48 hours of admission that patients meet admission criteria for long-term care hospitals, regularly evaluates patients throughout their stay for continuation of care in a long-term care hospital, and assesses the available discharge options when patients no longer meet such continued stay criteria;
(B) the institution has active physician involvement with patients during their treatment through an organized medical staff, physician-directed treatment with physician on-site availability on a daily basis to review patient progress, and consulting physicians on call and capable of being at the patient’s side within a moderate period of time, as determined by the Secretary; and
(C) the institution has interdisciplinary team treatment for patients, requiring interdisciplinary teams of health care professionals, including physicians, to prepare and carry out an individualized treatment plan for each patient.
(ddd) Additional preventive services; preventive services
(1) The term “additional preventive services” means services not described in subparagraph (A) or (C) of paragraph (3) that identify medical conditions or risk factors and that the Secretary determines are—
(A) reasonable and necessary for the prevention or early detection of an illness or disability;
(B) recommended with a grade of A or B by the United States Preventive Services Task Force; and
(C) appropriate for individuals entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B.
(2) In making determinations under paragraph (1) regarding the coverage of a new service, the Secretary shall use the process for making national coverage determinations (as defined in section 1395ff(f)(1)(B) of this title) under this subchapter. As part of the use of such process, the Secretary may conduct an assessment of the relation between predicted outcomes and the expenditures for such service and may take into account the results of such assessment in making such determination.
(3) The term “preventive services” means the following:
(A) The screening and preventive services described in subsection (ww)(2) (other than the service described in subparagraph (M) of such subsection).
(B) An initial preventive physical examination (as defined in subsection (ww)).
(C) Personalized prevention plan services (as defined in subsection (hhh)(1)).
(eee) Cardiac rehabilitation program; intensive cardiac rehabilitation program
(1) The term “cardiac rehabilitation program” means a program (as described in paragraph (2)) that furnishes the items and services described in paragraph (3) under the supervision of a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)).
(2) A program described in this paragraph is a program under which—
(A) items and services under the program are delivered—
(i) in a physician’s office;
(ii) in a hospital on an outpatient basis (including, with respect to items and services furnished through audio and video real-time communications technology (excluding audio-only) on or after January 31, 2026, and before January 1, 2028, in the home of an individual who is an outpatient of the hospital); or
(iii) in other settings determined appropriate by the Secretary;
(B) a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)) is immediately available and accessible for medical consultation and medical emergencies at all times items and services are being furnished under the program, except that, in the case of items and services furnished under such a program in a hospital, such availability shall be presumed; and
(C) individualized treatment is furnished under a written plan established, reviewed, and signed by a physician every 30 days that describes—
(i) the individual’s diagnosis;
(ii) the type, amount, frequency, and duration of the items and services furnished under the plan; and
(iii) the goals set for the individual under the plan.
(3) The items and services described in this paragraph are—
(A) physician-prescribed exercise;
(B) cardiac risk factor modification, including education, counseling, and behavioral intervention (to the extent such education, counseling, and behavioral intervention is closely related to the individual’s care and treatment and is tailored to the individual’s needs);
(C) psychosocial assessment;
(D) outcomes assessment; and
(E) such other items and services as the Secretary may determine, but only if such items and services are—
(i) reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or active treatment of the individual’s condition;
(ii) reasonably expected to improve or maintain the individual’s condition and functional level; and
(iii) furnished under such guidelines relating to the frequency and duration of such items and services as the Secretary shall establish, taking into account accepted norms of medical practice and the reasonable expectation of improvement of the individual.
(4)
(A) The term “intensive cardiac rehabilitation program” means a program (as described in paragraph (2)) that furnishes the items and services described in paragraph (3) under the supervision of a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)) and has shown, in peer-reviewed published research, that it accomplished—
(i) one or more of the following:(I) positively affected the progression of coronary heart disease; or(II) reduced the need for coronary bypass surgery; or(III) reduced the need for percutaneous coronary interventions; and
(ii) a statistically significant reduction in 5 or more of the following measures from their level before receipt of cardiac rehabilitation services to their level after receipt of such services:(I) low density lipoprotein;(II) triglycerides;(III) body mass index;(IV) systolic blood pressure;(V) diastolic blood pressure; or(VI) the need for cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes medications.
(B) To be eligible for an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program, an individual must have—
(i) had an acute myocardial infarction within the preceding 12 months;
(ii) had coronary bypass surgery;
(iii) stable angina pectoris;
(iv) had heart valve repair or replacement;
(v) had percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary stenting;
(vi) had a heart or heart-lung transplant;
(vii) stable, chronic heart failure (defined as patients with left ventricular ejection fraction of 35 percent or less and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II to IV symptoms despite being on optimal heart failure therapy for at least 6 weeks); or
(viii) any additional condition for which the Secretary has determined that a cardiac rehabilitation program shall be covered, unless the Secretary determines, using the same process used to determine that the condition is covered for a cardiac rehabilitation program, that such coverage is not supported by the clinical evidence.
(C) An intensive cardiac rehabilitation program may be provided in a series of 72 one-hour sessions (as defined in section 1395w–4(b)(5) of this title), up to 6 sessions per day, over a period of up to 18 weeks.
(5) The Secretary shall establish standards to ensure that a physician with expertise in the management of individuals with cardiac pathophysiology who is licensed to practice medicine in the State in which a cardiac rehabilitation program (or the intensive cardiac rehabilitation program, as the case may be) is offered—
(A) is responsible for such program; and
(B) in consultation with appropriate staff, is involved substantially in directing the progress of individual 1 in the program.
(fff) Pulmonary rehabilitation program
(1) The term “pulmonary rehabilitation program” means a program (as described in subsection (eee)(2) with respect to a program under this subsection) that furnishes the items and services described in paragraph (2) under the supervision of a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)).
(2) The items and services described in this paragraph are—
(A) physician-prescribed exercise;
(B) education or training (to the extent the education or training is closely and clearly related to the individual’s care and treatment and is tailored to such individual’s needs);
(C) psychosocial assessment;
(D) outcomes assessment; and
(E) such other items and services as the Secretary may determine, but only if such items and services are—
(i) reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or active treatment of the individual’s condition;
(ii) reasonably expected to improve or maintain the individual’s condition and functional level; and
(iii) furnished under such guidelines relating to the frequency and duration of such items and services as the Secretary shall establish, taking into account accepted norms of medical practice and the reasonable expectation of improvement of the individual.
(3) The Secretary shall establish standards to ensure that a physician with expertise in the management of individuals with respiratory pathophysiology who is licensed to practice medicine in the State in which a pulmonary rehabilitation program is offered—
(A) is responsible for such program; and
(B) in consultation with appropriate staff, is involved substantially in directing the progress of individual 1 in the program.
(ggg) Kidney disease education services
(1) The term “kidney disease education services” means educational services that are—
(A) furnished to an individual with stage IV chronic kidney disease who, according to accepted clinical guidelines identified by the Secretary, will require dialysis or a kidney transplant;
(B) furnished, upon the referral of the physician managing the individual’s kidney condition, by a qualified person (as defined in paragraph (2)); and
(C) designed—
(i) to provide comprehensive information (consistent with the standards set under paragraph (3)) regarding—(I) the management of comorbidities, including for purposes of delaying the need for dialysis;(II) the prevention of uremic complications; and(III) each option for renal replacement therapy (including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis at home and in-center as well as vascular access options and transplantation);
(ii) to ensure that the individual has the opportunity to actively participate in the choice of therapy; and
(iii) to be tailored to meet the needs of the individual involved.
(2)
(A) The term “qualified person” means—
(i) a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as defined in subsection (aa)(5)), who furnishes services for which payment may be made under the fee schedule established under section 1395w–4 of this title; and
(ii) a provider of services located in a rural area (as defined in section 1395ww(d)(2)(D) of this title).
(B) Such term does not include a provider of services (other than a provider of services described in subparagraph (A)(ii)) or a renal dialysis facility.
(3) The Secretary shall set standards for the span of such information to be provided under paragraph (1)(C)(i) after consulting with physicians, other health professionals, health educators, professional organizations, accrediting organizations, kidney patient organizations, dialysis facilities, transplant centers, network organizations described in section 1395rr(c)(2) of this title, and other knowledgeable persons. To the extent possible the Secretary shall consult with persons or entities described in the previous sentence, other than a dialysis facility, that has not received industry funding from a drug or biological manufacturer or dialysis facility.
(4) No individual shall be furnished more than 6 sessions of kidney disease education services under this subchapter.
(hhh) Annual wellness visit
(1) The term “personalized prevention plan services” means the creation of a plan for an individual—
(A) that includes a health risk assessment (that meets the guidelines established by the Secretary under paragraph (4)(A)) of the individual that is completed prior to or as part of the same visit with a health professional described in paragraph (3); and
(B) that—
(i) takes into account the results of the health risk assessment; and
(ii) may contain the elements described in paragraph (2).
(2) Subject to paragraph (4)(H), the elements described in this paragraph are the following:
(A) The establishment of, or an update to, the individual’s medical and family history.
(B) A list of current providers and suppliers that are regularly involved in providing medical care to the individual (including a list of all prescribed medications).
(C) A measurement of height, weight, body mass index (or waist circumference, if appropriate), blood pressure, and other routine measurements.
(D) Detection of any cognitive impairment.
(E) The establishment of, or an update to, the following:
(i) A screening schedule for the next 5 to 10 years, as appropriate, based on recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and the individual’s health status, screening history, and age-appropriate preventive services covered under this subchapter.
(ii) A list of risk factors and conditions for which primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention interventions are recommended or are underway, including any mental health conditions or any such risk factors or conditions that have been identified through an initial preventive physical examination (as described under subsection (ww)(1)), and a list of treatment options and their associated risks and benefits.
(F) The furnishing of personalized health advice and a referral, as appropriate, to health education or preventive counseling services or programs aimed at reducing identified risk factors and improving self-management, or community-based lifestyle interventions to reduce health risks and promote self-management and wellness, including weight loss, physical activity, smoking cessation, fall prevention, and nutrition.
(G) Screening for potential substance use disorders and referral for treatment as appropriate.
(H) The furnishing of a review of any current opioid prescriptions (as defined in subsection (ww)(4)).
(I) Any other element determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(3) A health professional described in this paragraph is—
(A) a physician;
(B) a practitioner described in clause (i) of section 1395u(b)(18)(C) of this title; or
(C) a medical professional (including a health educator, registered dietitian, or nutrition professional) or a team of medical professionals, as determined appropriate by the Secretary, under the supervision of a physician.
(4)
(A) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary, not later than 1 year after March 23, 2010, shall establish publicly available guidelines for health risk assessments. Such guidelines shall be developed in consultation with relevant groups and entities and shall provide that a health risk assessment—
(i) identify chronic diseases, injury risks, modifiable risk factors, and urgent health needs of the individual; and
(ii) may be furnished—(I) through an interactive telephonic or web-based program that meets the standards established under subparagraph (B);(II) during an encounter with a health care professional;(III) through community-based prevention programs; or(IV) through any other means the Secretary determines appropriate to maximize accessibility and ease of use by beneficiaries, while ensuring the privacy of such beneficiaries.
(B) Not later than 1 year after March 23, 2010, the Secretary shall establish standards for interactive telephonic or web-based programs used to furnish health risk assessments under subparagraph (A)(ii)(I). The Secretary may utilize any health risk assessment developed under section 300u–12(f) of this title as part of the requirement to develop a personalized prevention plan to comply with this subparagraph.
(C)
(i) Not later than 18 months after March 23, 2010, the Secretary shall develop and make available to the public a health risk assessment model. Such model shall meet the guidelines under subparagraph (A) and may be used to meet the requirement under paragraph (1)(A).
(ii) Any health risk assessment that meets the guidelines under subparagraph (A) and is approved by the Secretary may be used to meet the requirement under paragraph (1)(A).
(D) The Secretary may coordinate with community-based entities (including State Health Insurance Programs, Area Agencies on Aging, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, and the Administration on Aging) to—
(i) ensure that health risk assessments are accessible to beneficiaries; and
(ii) provide appropriate support for the completion of health risk assessments by beneficiaries.
(E) The Secretary shall establish procedures to make beneficiaries and providers aware of the requirement that a beneficiary complete a health risk assessment prior to or at the same time as receiving personalized prevention plan services.
(F) To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall encourage the use of, integration with, and coordination of health information technology (including use of technology that is compatible with electronic medical records and personal health records) and may experiment with the use of personalized technology to aid in the development of self-management skills and management of and adherence to provider recommendations in order to improve the health status of beneficiaries.
(G) A beneficiary shall be eligible to receive only an initial preventive physical examination (as defined under subsection (ww)(1)) during the 12-month period after the date that the beneficiary’s coverage begins under part B and shall be eligible to receive personalized prevention plan services under this subsection each year thereafter provided that the beneficiary has not received either an initial preventive physical examination or personalized prevention plan services within the preceding 12-month period.
(H) The Secretary shall issue guidance that—
(i) identifies elements under paragraph (2) that are required to be provided to a beneficiary as part of their first visit for personalized prevention plan services; and
(ii) establishes a yearly schedule for appropriate provision of such elements thereafter.
(iii) Home infusion therapy
(1) The term “home infusion therapy” means the items and services described in paragraph (2) furnished by a qualified home infusion therapy supplier (as defined in paragraph (3)(D)) which are furnished in the individual’s home (as defined in paragraph (3)(B)) to an individual—
(A) who is under the care of an applicable provider (as defined in paragraph (3)(A)); and
(B) with respect to whom a plan prescribing the type, amount, and duration of infusion therapy services that are to be furnished such individual has been established by a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) and is periodically reviewed by a physician (as so defined) in coordination with the furnishing of home infusion drugs (as defined in paragraph (3)(C)) under part B.
(2) The items and services described in this paragraph are the following:
(A) Professional services, including nursing services, furnished in accordance with the plan.
(B) Training and education (not otherwise paid for as durable medical equipment (as defined in subsection (n)), remote monitoring, and monitoring services for the provision of home infusion therapy and home infusion drugs furnished by a qualified home infusion therapy supplier.
(3) For purposes of this subsection:
(A) The term “applicable provider” means—
(i) a physician;
(ii) a nurse practitioner; and
(iii) a physician assistant.
(B) The term “home” means a place of residence used as the home of an individual (as defined for purposes of subsection (n)).
(C) The term “home infusion drug” means a parenteral drug or biological administered intravenously, or subcutaneously for an administration period of 15 minutes or more, in the home of an individual through a pump that is an item of durable medical equipment (as defined in subsection (n)). Such term does not include the following:
(i) Insulin pump systems.
(ii) A self-administered drug or biological on a self-administered drug exclusion list.
Clause (ii) shall not apply to a self-administered drug or biological on a self-administered drug exclusion list if such drug or biological was included as a transitional home infusion drug under subparagraph (A)(iii) of section 1395m(u)(7) of this title and was identified by a HCPCS code described in subparagraph (C)(ii) of such section.
(D)
(i) The term “qualified home infusion therapy supplier” means a pharmacy, physician, or other provider of services or supplier licensed by the State in which the pharmacy, physician, or provider or services or supplier furnishes items or services and that—(I) furnishes infusion therapy to individuals with acute or chronic conditions requiring administration of home infusion drugs;(II) ensures the safe and effective provision and administration of home infusion therapy on a 7-day-a-week, 24-hour-a-day basis;(III) is accredited by an organization designated by the Secretary pursuant to section 1395m(u)(5) of this title; and(IV) meets such other requirements as the Secretary determines appropriate, taking into account the standards of care for home infusion therapy established by Medicare Advantage plans under part C and in the private sector.
(ii) A qualified home infusion therapy supplier may subcontract with a pharmacy, physician, provider of services, or supplier to meet the requirements of this subparagraph.
(jjj) Opioid use disorder treatment services; opioid treatment program
(1) Opioid use disorder treatment servicesThe term “opioid use disorder treatment services” means items and services that are furnished by an opioid treatment program for the treatment of opioid use disorder, including—
(A) opioid agonist and antagonist treatment medications (including oral, injected, or implanted versions) that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration under section 355 of title 21 for use in the treatment of opioid use disorder;
(B) dispensing and administration of such medications, if applicable;
(C) substance use counseling by a professional to the extent authorized under State law to furnish such services;
(D) individual and group therapy with a physician or psychologist (or other mental health professional to the extent authorized under State law);
(E) toxicology testing, and
(F) other items and services that the Secretary determines are appropriate (but in no event to include meals or transportation).
(2) Opioid treatment programThe term “opioid treatment program” means an entity that is an opioid treatment program (as defined in section 8.2 of title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation) that—
(A) is enrolled under section 1395cc(j) of this title;
(B) has in effect a certification by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for such a program;
(C) is accredited by an accrediting body approved by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; and
(D) meets such additional conditions as the Secretary may find necessary to ensure—
(i) the health and safety of individuals being furnished services under such program; and
(ii) the effective and efficient furnishing of such services.
(kkk) Rural emergency hospital services; rural emergency hospital
(1) Rural emergency hospital services
(A) In generalThe term “rural emergency hospital services” means the following services furnished by a rural emergency hospital (as defined in paragraph (2)) that do not exceed an annual per patient average of 24 hours in such rural emergency hospital:
(i) Emergency department services and observation care.
(ii) At the election of the rural emergency hospital, with respect to services furnished on an outpatient basis, other medical and health services as specified by the Secretary through rulemaking.
(B) Staffed emergency departmentFor purposes of subparagraph (A)(i), an emergency department of a rural emergency hospital shall be considered a staffed emergency department if it meets the following requirements:
(i) The emergency department is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
(ii) A physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)), nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant (as those terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)) is available to furnish rural emergency hospital services in the facility 24 hours a day.
(iii) Applicable staffing and staffing responsibilities under section 485.631 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).
(2) Rural emergency hospitalThe term “rural emergency hospital” means a facility described in paragraph (3) that—
(A) is enrolled under
(B) does not provide any acute care inpatient services, other than those described in paragraph (6)(A);
(C) has in effect a transfer agreement with a level I or level II trauma center; 2
(D) meets—
(i) licensure requirements as described in paragraph (5);
(ii) the requirements of a staffed emergency department as described in paragraph (1)(B);
(iii) such staff training and certification requirements as the Secretary may require;
(iv) conditions of participation applicable to—(I) critical access hospitals, with respect to emergency services under section 485.618 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation); and(II) hospital emergency departments under this subchapter, as determined applicable by the Secretary;
(v) such other requirements as the Secretary finds necessary in the interest of the health and safety of individuals who are furnished rural emergency hospital services; and
(vi) in the case where the rural emergency hospital includes a distinct part unit of the facility that is licensed as a skilled nursing facility, such distinct part meets the requirements applicable to skilled nursing facilities under this subchapter.
(3) Facility describedA facility described in this paragraph is a facility that as of December 27, 2020—
(A) was a critical access hospital; or
(B) was a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in section 1395ww(d)(1)(B) of this title) with not more than 50 beds located in a county (or equivalent unit of local government) in a rural area (as defined in section 1395ww(d)(2)(D) of this title), or was a subsection (d) hospital (as so defined) with not more than 50 beds that was treated as being located in a rural area pursuant to section 1395ww(d)(8)(E) of this title.
(4) Additional information
(A) InformationFor purposes of paragraph (2)(A), a facility that submits an application for enrollment under section 1395cc(j) of this title as a rural emergency hospital shall submit the following information at such time and in such form as the Secretary may require:
(i) An action plan for initiating rural emergency hospital services (as defined in paragraph (1)), including a detailed transition plan that lists the specific services that the facility will—(I) retain;(II) modify 11
11 So in original. Probably should be followed by a semicolon.
(III) add; and(IV) discontinue.
(ii) A description of services that the facility intends to furnish on an outpatient basis pursuant to paragraph (1)(A)(ii).
(iii) Information regarding how the facility intends to use the additional facility payment provided under section 1395m(x)(2) of this title, including a description of the services covered under this subchapter that the additional facility payment would be supporting, such as furnishing telehealth services and ambulance services, including operating the facility and maintaining the emergency department to provide such services covered under this subchapter.
(iv) Such other information as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(B) Effect of enrollmentSuch enrollment shall remain effective with respect to a facility until such time as—
(i) the facility elects to convert back to its prior designation as a critical access hospital or a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in section 1395ww(d)(1)(B) of this title), subject to requirements applicable under this subchapter for such designation and in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary; or
(ii) the Secretary determines the facility does not meet the requirements applicable to a rural emergency hospital under this subsection.
(5) LicensureA facility may not operate as a rural emergency hospital in a State unless the facility—
(A) is located in a State that provides for the licensing of such hospitals under State or applicable local law; and
(B)
(i) is licensed pursuant to such law; or
(ii) is approved by the agency of such State or locality responsible for licensing hospitals, as meeting the standards established for such licensing.
(6) Discretionary authorityA rural emergency hospital may—
(A) include a unit of the facility that is a distinct part licensed as a skilled nursing facility to furnish post-hospital extended care services; and
(B) be considered a hospital with less than 50 beds for purposes of the exception to the payment limit for rural health clinics under section 1395l(f) of this title.
(7) Quality measurement
(A) In general
(B) Quality reporting by rural emergency hospitals
(i) In general
(ii) Submission of quality data
(C) Quality measures
(i) In general
(ii) Exception
(iii) Consideration of low case volume when specifying performance measures
(D) Public availability of data submitted
(8) Clarification regarding application of provisions relating to off-campus outpatient department of a provider
(9) ImplementationThere shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1395ff of this title, 1395oo of this title, or otherwise of the following:
(A) The determination of whether a rural emergency hospital meets the requirements of this subsection.
(B) The establishment of requirements under this subsection by the Secretary, including requirements described in paragraphs (2)(D), (4), and (7).
(C) The determination of payment amounts under section 1395m(x) of this title, including the additional facility payment described in paragraph (2) of such section.
(lll) Marriage and family therapist services; marriage and family therapist; mental health counselor services; mental health counselor
(1) Marriage and family therapist services
(2) Marriage and family therapistThe term “marriage and family therapist” means an individual who—
(A) possesses a master’s or doctor’s degree which qualifies for licensure or certification as a marriage and family therapist pursuant to State law of the State in which such individual furnishes the services described in paragraph (1);
(B) is licensed or certified as a marriage and family therapist by the State in which such individual furnishes such services;
(C) after obtaining such degree has performed at least 2 years of clinical supervised experience in marriage and family therapy; and
(D) meets such other requirements as specified by the Secretary.
(3) Mental health counselor services
(4) Mental health counselorThe term “mental health counselor” means an individual who—
(A) possesses a master’s or doctor’s degree which qualifies for licensure or certification as a mental health counselor, clinical professional counselor, or professional counselor under the State law of the State in which such individual furnishes the services described in paragraph (3);
(B) is licensed or certified as a mental health counselor, clinical professional counselor, or professional counselor by the State in which the services are furnished;
(C) after obtaining such a degree has performed at least 2 years of clinical supervised experience in mental health counseling; and
(D) meets such other requirements as specified by the Secretary.
(mmm) Lymphedema compression treatment itemsThe term “lymphedema compression treatment items” means standard and custom fitted gradient compression garments and other items determined by the Secretary that are—
(1) furnished on or after January 1, 2024, to an individual with a diagnosis of lymphedema for the treatment of such condition;
(2) primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose and for the treatment of lymphedema, as determined by the Secretary; and
(3) prescribed by a physician (or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or a clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in section 1395x(aa)(5) of this title) to the extent authorized under State law).
(nnn) Multi-cancer early detection screening tests
(1) In generalThe term “multi-cancer early detection screening test” means a test furnished to an individual for the concurrent detection of multiple cancer types across multiple organ sites on or after January 1, 2029, that—
(A) is cleared under section 360(k) of title 21, classified under section 360c(f)(2) of title 21, or approved under section 360e of title 21;
(B) is—
(i) a genomic sequencing blood or blood product test that includes the analysis of cell-free nucleic acids; or
(ii) a test based on samples of biological material that provide results comparable to those obtained with a test described in clause (i), as determined by the Secretary; and
(C) the Secretary determines is—
(i) reasonable and necessary for the prevention or early detection of an illness or disability; and
(ii) appropriate for individuals entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B.
(2) NCD process
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1861, as added Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 102(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 313; amended Pub. L. 89–713, § 7, Nov. 2, 1966, 80 Stat. 1111; Pub. L. 90–248, title I, §§ 127(a), 129(a), (b), (c)(9)(C), (10), (11), 132(a), 133(a), (b), 134(a), 143(a), 144(a)–(d), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 846–850, 852, 857, 858; Pub. L. 91–690, Jan. 12, 1971, 84 Stat. 2074; Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §§ 211(b), (c)(2), 221(c)(4), 223(a)–(d), (f), 227(a), (c), (d)(1), (f), 234(a)–(f), 237(c), 244(c), 246(b), 248, 249(b), 251(a)(1), (b)(1), (c), 252(a), 256(b), 264(a), 265, 267, 273(a), 276(a), 278(a) (4)–(15), (b)(6), (10), (11), (13), 283(a), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1383, 1384, 1389, 1393, 1394, 1404–1407, 1412, 1413, 1416, 1423–1426, 1445–1447, 1449–1454, 1456; Pub. L. 94–182, title I, §§ 102, 106(a), 112(a)(1), Dec. 31, 1975, 89 Stat. 1051, 1052, 1055; Pub. L. 95–142, §§ 3(a)(2), 5(m), 19(b)(1), 21(a), Oct. 25, 1977, 91 Stat. 1178, 1191, 1204, 1207; Pub. L. 95–210, § 1(d), (g), (h), Dec. 13, 1977,

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395x

§ 1395y. Exclusions from coverage and medicare as secondary payer
(a) Items or services specifically excludedNotwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, no payment may be made under part A or part B for any expenses incurred for items or services—
(1)
(A) which, except for items and services described in a succeeding subparagraph, additional preventive services (as described in section 1395x(ddd)(1) of this title), or multi-cancer early detection screening tests (as defined in section 1395x(nnn) of this title), are not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member,
(B) in the case of items and services described in section 1395x(s)(10) of this title, which are not reasonable and necessary for the prevention of illness,
(C) in the case of hospice care, which are not reasonable and necessary for the palliation or management of terminal illness,
(D) in the case of clinical care items and services provided with the concurrence of the Secretary and with respect to research and experimentation conducted by, or under contract with, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission or the Secretary, which are not reasonable and necessary to carry out the purposes of section 1395ww(e)(6) of this title,1
1 See References in Text note below.
(E) in the case of research conducted pursuant to section 1320b–12 of this title, which is not reasonable and necessary to carry out the purposes of that section,
(F) in the case of screening mammography, which is performed more frequently than is covered under section 1395m(c)(2) of this title or which is not conducted by a facility described in section 1395m(c)(1)(B) of this title, in the case of screening pap smear and screening pelvic exam, which is performed more frequently than is provided under section 1395x(nn) of this title, and, in the case of screening for glaucoma, which is performed more frequently than is provided under section 1395x(uu) of this title,
(G) in the case of prostate cancer screening tests (as defined in section 1395x(oo) of this title), which are performed more frequently than is covered under such section,
(H) in the case of colorectal cancer screening tests, which are performed more frequently than is covered under section 1395m(d) of this title,
(I) the frequency and duration of home health services which are in excess of normative guidelines that the Secretary shall establish by regulation,
(J) in the case of a drug or biological specified in section 1395w–3a(c)(6)(C) of this title for which payment is made under part B that is furnished in a competitive area under section 1395w–3b of this title, that is not furnished by an entity under a contract under such section,
(K) in the case of an initial preventive physical examination, which is performed more than 1 year after the date the individual’s first coverage period begins under part B,
(L) in the case of cardiovascular screening blood tests (as defined in section 1395x(xx)(1) of this title), which are performed more frequently than is covered under section 1395x(xx)(2) of this title,
(M) in the case of a diabetes screening test (as defined in section 1395x(yy)(1) of this title), which is performed more frequently than is covered under section 1395x(yy)(3) of this title,
(N) in the case of ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm which is performed more frequently than is provided for under section 1395x(s)(2)(AA) of this title,
(O) in the case of kidney disease education services (as defined in paragraph (1) of section 1395x(ggg) of this title), which are furnished in excess of the number of sessions covered under paragraph (4) of such section, and
(P) in the case of personalized prevention plan services (as defined in section 1395x(hhh)(1) of this title), which are performed more frequently than is covered under such section;
(2) for which the individual furnished such items or services has no legal obligation to pay, and which no other person (by reason of such individual’s membership in a prepayment plan or otherwise) has a legal obligation to provide or pay for, except in the case of Federally qualified health center services;
(3) which are paid for directly or indirectly by a governmental entity (other than under this chapter and other than under a health benefits or insurance plan established for employees of such an entity), except in the case of rural health clinic services, as defined in section 1395x(aa)(1) of this title, in the case of Federally qualified health center services, as defined in section 1395x(aa)(3) of this title, in the case of services for which payment may be made under section 1395qq(e) of this title, and in such other cases as the Secretary may specify;
(4) which are not provided within the United States (except for inpatient hospital services furnished outside the United States under the conditions described in section 1395f(f) of this title and, subject to such conditions, limitations, and requirements as are provided under or pursuant to this subchapter, physicians’ services and ambulance services furnished an individual in conjunction with such inpatient hospital services but only for the period during which such inpatient hospital services were furnished);
(5) which are required as a result of war, or of an act of war, occurring after the effective date of such individual’s current coverage under such part;
(6) which constitute personal comfort items (except, in the case of hospice care, as is otherwise permitted under paragraph (1)(C));
(7) where such expenses are for routine physical checkups, eyeglasses (other than eyewear described in section 1395x(s)(8) of this title) or eye examinations for the purpose of prescribing, fitting, or changing eyeglasses, procedures performed (during the course of any eye examination) to determine the refractive state of the eyes, hearing aids or examinations therefor, or immunizations (except as otherwise allowed under section 1395x(s)(10) of this title and subparagraph (B), (F), (G), (H), (K), or (P) of paragraph (1));
(8) where such expenses are for orthopedic shoes or other supportive devices for the feet, other than shoes furnished pursuant to section 1395x(s)(12) of this title;
(9) where such expenses are for custodial care (except, in the case of hospice care, as is otherwise permitted under paragraph (1)(C));
(10) where such expenses are for cosmetic surgery or are incurred in connection therewith, except as required for the prompt repair of accidental injury or for improvement of the functioning of a malformed body member;
(11) where such expenses constitute charges imposed by immediate relatives of such individual or members of his household;
(12) where such expenses are for services in connection with the care, treatment, filling, removal, or replacement of teeth or structures directly supporting teeth, except that payment may be made under part A in the case of inpatient hospital services in connection with the provision of such dental services if the individual, because of his underlying medical condition and clinical status or because of the severity of the dental procedure, requires hospitalization in connection with the provision of such services;
(13) where such expenses are for—
(A) the treatment of flat foot conditions and the prescription of supportive devices therefor,
(B) the treatment of subluxations of the foot, or
(C) routine foot care (including the cutting or removal of corns or calluses, the trimming of nails, and other routine hygienic care);
(14) which are other than physicians’ services (as defined in regulations promulgated specifically for purposes of this paragraph), services described by section 1395x(s)(2)(K) of this title, certified nurse-midwife services, qualified psychologist services, and services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist, and which are furnished to an individual who is a patient of a hospital or critical access hospital by an entity other than the hospital or critical access hospital, unless the services are furnished under arrangements (as defined in section 1395x(w)(1) of this title) with the entity made by the hospital or critical access hospital;
(15)
(A) which are for services of an assistant at surgery in a cataract operation (including subsequent insertion of an intraocular lens) unless, before the surgery is performed, the appropriate quality improvement organization (under part B of subchapter XI) or a carrier under section 1395u of this title has approved of the use of such an assistant in the surgical procedure based on the existence of a complicating medical condition, or
(B) which are for services of an assistant at surgery to which applies;
(16) in the case in which funds may not be used for such items and services under the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 [42 U.S.C. 14401 et seq.];
(17) where the expenses are for an item or service furnished in a competitive acquisition area (as established by the Secretary under section 1395w–3(a) of this title) by an entity other than an entity with which the Secretary has entered into a contract under section 1395w–3(b) of this title for the furnishing of such an item or service in that area, unless the Secretary finds that the expenses were incurred in a case of urgent need, or in other circumstances specified by the Secretary;
(18) which are covered skilled nursing facility services described in section 1395yy(e)(2)(A)(i) of this title and which are furnished to an individual who is a resident of a skilled nursing facility during a period in which the resident is provided covered post-hospital extended care services (or, for services described in section 1395x(s)(2)(D) of this title, which are furnished to such an individual without regard to such period), by an entity other than the skilled nursing facility, unless the services are furnished under arrangements (as defined in section 1395x(w)(1) of this title) with the entity made by the skilled nursing facility;
(19) which are for items or services which are furnished pursuant to a private contract described in section 1395a(b) of this title;
(20) in the case of outpatient physical therapy services, outpatient speech-language pathology services, or outpatient occupational therapy services furnished as an incident to a physician’s professional services (as described in section 1395x(s)(2)(A) of this title), that do not meet the standards and conditions (other than any licensing requirement specified by the Secretary) under the second sentence of section 1395x(p) of this title (or under such sentence through the operation of subsection (g) or (ll)(2) of section 1395x of this title) as such standards and conditions would apply to such therapy services if furnished by a therapist;
(21) where such expenses are for home health services (including medical supplies described in section 1395x(m)(5) of this title, but excluding durable medical equipment to the extent provided for in such section) furnished to an individual who is under a plan of care of the home health agency if the claim for payment for such services is not submitted by the agency;
(22) subject to subsection (h), for which a claim is submitted other than in an electronic form specified by the Secretary;
(23) which are the technical component of advanced diagnostic imaging services described in section 1395m(e)(1)(B) of this title for which payment is made under the fee schedule established under section 1395w–4(b) of this title and that are furnished by a supplier (as defined in section 1395x(d) of this title), if such supplier is not accredited by an accreditation organization designated by the Secretary under section 1395m(e)(2)(B) of this title;
(24) where such expenses are for renal dialysis services (as defined in subparagraph (B) of section 1395rr(b)(14) of this title) for which payment is made under such section unless such payment is made under such section to a provider of services or a renal dialysis facility for such services; or
(25) not later than January 1, 2014, for which the payment is other than by electronic funds transfer (EFT) or an electronic remittance in a form as specified in ASC X12 835 Health Care Payment and Remittance Advice or subsequent standard.
Paragraph (7) shall not apply to Federally qualified health center services described in section 1395x(aa)(3)(B) of this title. In making a national coverage determination (as defined in paragraph (1)(B) of section 1395ff(f) of this title) the Secretary shall ensure consistent with subsection (l) that the public is afforded notice and opportunity to comment prior to implementation by the Secretary of the determination; meetings of advisory committees with respect to the determination are made on the record; in making the determination, the Secretary has considered applicable information (including clinical experience and medical, technical, and scientific evidence) with respect to the subject matter of the determination; and in the determination, provide a clear statement of the basis for the determination (including responses to comments received from the public), the assumptions underlying that basis, and make available to the public the data (other than proprietary data) considered in making the determination.
(b) Medicare as secondary payer
(1) Requirements of group health plans
(A) Working aged under group health plans
(i) In generalA group health plan—(I) may not take into account that an individual (or the individual’s spouse) who is covered under the plan by virtue of the individual’s current employment status with an employer is entitled to benefits under this subchapter under section 426(a) of this title, and(II) shall provide that any individual age 65 or older (and the spouse age 65 or older of any individual) who has current employment status with an employer shall be entitled to the same benefits under the plan under the same conditions as any such individual (or spouse) under age 65.
(ii) Exclusion of group health plan of a small employer
(iii) Exception for small employers in multiemployer or multiple employer group health plans
(iv) Exception for individuals with end stage renal disease
(v) “Group health plan” defined
(B) Disabled individuals in large group health plans
(i) In general
(ii) Exception for individuals with end stage renal disease
(iii) “Large group health plan” defined
(C) Individuals with end stage renal diseaseA group health plan (as defined in subparagraph (A)(v))—
(i) may not take into account that an individual is entitled to or eligible for benefits under this subchapter under section 426–1 of this title during the 12-month period which begins with the first month in which the individual becomes entitled to benefits under part A under the provisions of section 426–1 of this title, or, if earlier, the first month in which the individual would have been entitled to benefits under such part under the provisions of section 426–1 of this title if the individual had filed an application for such benefits; and
(ii) may not differentiate in the benefits it provides between individuals having end stage renal disease and other individuals covered by such plan on the basis of the existence of end stage renal disease, the need for renal dialysis, or in any other manner;
except that clause (ii) shall not prohibit a plan from paying benefits secondary to this subchapter when an individual is entitled to or eligible for benefits under this subchapter under section 426–1 of this title after the end of the 12-month period described in clause (i). Effective for items and services furnished on or after February 1, 1991, and before August 5, 1997,2
2 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
(with respect to periods beginning on or after February 1, 1990), this subparagraph shall be applied by substituting “18-month” for “12-month” each place it appears. Effective for items and services furnished on or after August 5, 1997,2 (with respect to periods beginning on or after the date that is 18 months prior to August 5, 1997), clauses (i) and (ii) shall be applied by substituting “30-month” for “12-month” each place it appears.
(D) Treatment of certain members of religious orders
(E) General provisionsFor purposes of this subsection:
(i) Aggregation rules(I) All employers treated as a single employer under subsection (a) or (b) of section 52 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be treated as a single employer.(II) All employees of the members of an affiliated service group (as defined in section 414(m) of such Code) shall be treated as employed by a single employer.(III) Leased employees (as defined in section 414(n)(2) of such Code) shall be treated as employees of the person for whom they perform services to the extent they are so treated under section 414(n) of such Code.
 In applying sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 under this clause, the Secretary shall rely upon regulations and decisions of the Secretary of the Treasury respecting such sections.
(ii) “Current employment status” defined
(iii) Treatment of self-employed persons as employers
(iv) Application to certain Postal Service annuitants or family members
(F) Limitation on beneficiary liability
(2) Medicare secondary payer
(A) In generalPayment under this subchapter may not be made, except as provided in subparagraph (B), with respect to any item or service to the extent that—
(i) payment has been made, or can reasonably be expected to be made, with respect to the item or service as required under paragraph (1), or
(ii) payment has been made 3
3 So in original. Probably should be “made,”.
or can reasonably be expected to be made 3 under a workmen’s compensation law or plan of the United States or a State or under an automobile or liability insurance policy or plan (including a self-insured plan) or under no fault insurance.
In this subsection, the term “primary plan” means a group health plan or large group health plan, to the extent that clause (i) applies, and a workmen’s compensation law or plan, an automobile or liability insurance policy or plan (including a self-insured plan) or no fault insurance, to the extent that clause (ii) applies. An entity that engages in a business, trade, or profession shall be deemed to have a self-insured plan if it carries its own risk (whether by a failure to obtain insurance, or otherwise) in whole or in part.
(B) Conditional payment
(i) Authority to make conditional payment
(ii) Repayment required
(iii) Action by United States
(iv) Subrogation rights
(v) Waiver of rights
(vi) Claims-filing period
(vii) Use of website to determine final conditional reimbursement amount(I) Notice to Secretary of expected date of a settlement, judgment, etc.(II) Secretarial providing access to claims information through a websiteThe Secretary shall maintain and make available to individuals to whom items and services are furnished under this subchapter (and to authorized family or other representatives recognized under regulations and to an applicable plan which has obtained the consent of the individual) access to information on the claims for such ite(aa) The information shall be as complete as possible and shall include provider or supplier name, diagnosis codes (if any), dates of service, and conditional payment amounts.(bb) The information accurately identifies those claims and payments that are related to a potential settlement, judgment, award, or other payment to which the provisions of this subsection apply.(cc) The website provides a method for the receipt of secure electronic communications with the individual, representative, or plan involved.(dd) The website provides that information is transmitted from the website in a form that includes an official time and date that the information is transmitted.(ee) The website shall permit the individual, representative, or plan to download a statement of reimbursement amounts (in this clause referred to as a “statement of reimbursement amount”) on payments for claims under this subchapter relating to a potential settlement, judgment, award, or other payment.(III) Use of timely web download as basis for final conditional amount(IV) Resolution of discrepancies(V) Protected period(VI) Effective date(VII) Website including successor technology
(viii) Right of appeal for secondary payer determinations relating to liability insurance (including self-insurance), no fault insurance, and workers’ compensation laws and plans
(C) Treatment of questionnaires
(3) Enforcement
(A) Private cause of action
(B) Reference to excise tax with respect to nonconforming group health plans
(C) Prohibition of financial incentives not to enroll in a group health plan or a large group health plan
(4) Coordination of benefitsWhere payment for an item or service by a primary plan is less than the amount of the charge for such item or service and is not payment in full, payment may be made under this subchapter (without regard to deductibles and coinsurance under this subchapter) for the remainder of such charge, but—
(A) payment under this subchapter may not exceed an amount which would be payable under this subchapter for such item or service if paragraph (2)(A) did not apply; and
(B) payment under this subchapter, when combined with the amount payable under the primary plan, may not exceed—
(i) in the case of an item or service payment for which is determined under this subchapter on the basis of reasonable cost (or other cost-related basis) or under section 1395ww of this title, the amount which would be payable under this subchapter on such basis, and
(ii) in the case of an item or service for which payment is authorized under this subchapter on another basis—(I) the amount which would be payable under the primary plan (without regard to deductibles and coinsurance under such plan), or(II) the reasonable charge or other amount which would be payable under this subchapter (without regard to deductibles and coinsurance under this subchapter),
 whichever is greater.
(5) Identification of secondary payer situations
(A) Requesting matching information
(i) Commissioner of Social Security
(ii) Administrator
(B) Disclosure to fiscal intermediaries and carriers
(C) Contacting employers
(i) In general
(ii) Employer response
(D) Obtaining information from beneficiaries
(E) End date
(6) Screening requirements for providers and suppliers
(A) In general
(B) Penalties
(7) Required submission of information by group health plans
(A) RequirementOn and after the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the date that is 1 year after December 29, 2007, an entity serving as an insurer or third party administrator for a group health plan, as defined in paragraph (1)(A)(v), and, in the case of a group health plan that is self-insured and self-administered, a plan administrator or fiduciary, shall—
(i) secure from the plan sponsor and plan participants such information as the Secretary shall specify for the purpose of identifying situations where the group health plan is or has been—(I) a primary plan to the program under this subchapter; or(II) for calendar quarters beginning on or after January 1, 2020, a primary payer with respect to benefits relating to prescription drug coverage under part D; and
(ii) submit such information to the Secretary in a form and manner (including frequency) specified by the Secretary.
(B) Enforcement
(i) In general
(ii) Deposit of amounts collected
(C) Sharing of informationNotwithstanding any other provision of law, under terms and conditions established by the Secretary, the Secretary—
(i) shall share information on entitlement under part A and enrollment under part B under this subchapter with entities, plan administrators, and fiduciaries described in subparagraph (A);
(ii) may share the entitlement and enrollment information described in clause (i) with entities and persons not described in such clause; and
(iii) may share information collected under this paragraph as necessary for purposes of the proper coordination of benefits.
(D) Implementation
(8) Required submission of information by or on behalf of liability insurance (including self-insurance), no fault insurance, and workers’ compensation laws and plans
(A) RequirementOn and after the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the date that is 18 months after December 29, 2007, an applicable plan shall—
(i) determine whether a claimant (including an individual whose claim is unresolved) is entitled to benefits under the program under this subchapter on any basis; and
(ii) if the claimant is determined to be so entitled, submit the information described in subparagraph (B) with respect to the claimant to the Secretary in a form and manner (including frequency) specified by the Secretary.
(B) Required informationThe information described in this subparagraph is—
(i) the identity of the claimant for which the determination under subparagraph (A) was made; and
(ii) such other information as the Secretary shall specify in order to enable the Secretary to make an appropriate determination concerning coordination of benefits, including any applicable recovery claim.
Not later than 18 months after January 10, 2013, the Secretary shall modify the reporting requirements under this paragraph so that an applicable plan in complying with such requirements is permitted but not required to access or report to the Secretary beneficiary social security account numbers or health identification claim numbers, except that the deadline for such modification shall be extended by one or more periods (specified by the Secretary) of up to 1 year each if the Secretary notifies the committees of jurisdiction of the House of Representatives and of the Senate that the prior deadline for such modification, without such extension, threatens patient privacy or the integrity of the secondary payer program under this
(C) Timing
(D) ClaimantFor purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “claimant” includes—
(i) an individual filing a claim directly against the applicable plan; and
(ii) an individual filing a claim against an individual or entity insured or covered by the applicable plan.
(E) Enforcement
(i) In general
(ii) Deposit of amounts collected
(F) Applicable planIn this paragraph, the term “applicable plan” means the following laws, plans, or other arrangements, including the fiduciary or administrator for such law, plan, or arrangement:
(i) Liability insurance (including self-insurance).
(ii) No fault insurance.
(iii) Workers’ compensation laws or plans.
(G) Sharing of information
(i) In general
(ii) Specified informationIn responding to any query made on or after the date that is 1 year after December 11, 2020, from an applicable plan related to a determination described in subparagraph (A)(i), the Secretary, notwithstanding any other provision of law, shall provide to such applicable plan—(I) whether a claimant subject to the query is, or during the preceding 3-year period has been, entitled to benefits under the program under this subchapter on any basis; and(II) to the extent applicable, the plan name and address of any Medicare Advantage plan under part C and any prescription drug plan under part D in which the claimant is enrolled or has been enrolled during such period.
(H) Implementation
(I) Regulations
(9) Exception
(A) In general
(B) Annual computation of threshold
(i) In general
(ii) PublicationThe Secretary shall include, as part of such publication for a year—(I) the estimated cost of collection incurred by the United States (including payments made to contractors) for a conditional payment arising from liability insurance (including self-insurance) and for such alleged incidents; and(II) a summary of the methodology and data used by the Secretary in computing such threshold amount and such cost of collection.
(C) Exclusion of ongoing expenses
(D) Report to CongressNot later than November 15 before each year, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report on the single threshold amount for settlements, judgments, awards, or other payments for conditional payment obligations arising from liability insurance (including self-insurance) and alleged incidents described in subparagraph (A) for that year and on the establishment and application of similar thresholds for such payments for conditional payment obligations arising from worker compensation cases and from no fault insurance cases subject to this section for the year. For each such report, the Secretary shall—
(i) calculate the threshold amount by using the methodology applicable to certain liability claims described in subparagraph (B); and
(ii) include a summary of the methodology and data used in calculating each threshold amount and the amount of estimated savings under this subchapter achieved by the Secretary implementing each such threshold.
(c) Drug productsNo payment may be made under part B for any expenses incurred for—
(1) a drug product—
(A) which is described in section 107(c)(3) of the Drug Amendments of 1962,
(B) which may be dispensed only upon prescription,
(C) for which the Secretary has issued a notice of an opportunity for a hearing under subsection (e) of section 355 of title 21 on a proposed order of the Secretary to withdraw approval of an application for such drug product under such section because the Secretary has determined that the drug is less than effective for all conditions of use prescribed, recommended, or suggested in its labeling, and
(D) for which the Secretary has not determined there is a compelling justification for its medical need; and
(2) any other drug product—
(A) which is identical, related, or similar (as determined in accordance with section 310.6 of title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations) to a drug product described in paragraph (1), and
(B) for which the Secretary has not determined there is a compelling justification for its medical need,
until such time as the Secretary withdraws such proposed order.
(d) Items or services provided for emergency medical conditions
(e) Item or service by excluded individual or entity or at direction of excluded physician; limitation of liability of beneficiaries with respect to services furnished by excluded individuals and entities
(1) No payment may be made under this subchapter with respect to any item or service (other than an emergency item or service, not including items or services furnished in an emergency room of a hospital) furnished—
(A) by an individual or entity during the period when such individual or entity is excluded pursuant to section 1320a–7, 1320a–7a, 1320c–5 or 1395u(j)(2) of this title from participation in the program under this subchapter; or
(B) at the medical direction or on the prescription of a physician during the period when he is excluded pursuant to section 1320a–7, 1320a–7a, 1320c–5 or 1395u(j)(2) of this title from participation in the program under this subchapter and when the person furnishing such item or service knew or had reason to know of the exclusion (after a reasonable time period after reasonable notice has been furnished to the person).
(2) Where an individual eligible for benefits under this subchapter submits a claim for payment for items or services furnished by an individual or entity excluded from participation in the programs under this subchapter, pursuant to section 1320a–7, 1320a–7a, 1320c–5, 1320c–9 (as in effect on September 2, 1982), 1395u(j)(2), 1395y(d) (as in effect on August 18, 1987), or 1395cc of this title, and such beneficiary did not know or have reason to know that such individual or entity was so excluded, then, to the extent permitted by this subchapter, and notwithstanding such exclusion, payment shall be made for such items or services. In each such case the Secretary shall notify the beneficiary of the exclusion of the individual or entity furnishing the items or services. Payment shall not be made for items or services furnished by an excluded individual or entity to a beneficiary after a reasonable time (as determined by the Secretary in regulations) after the Secretary has notified the beneficiary of the exclusion of that individual or entity.
(f) Utilization guidelines for provision of home health services
(g) Contracts with quality improvement organizations
(1) The Secretary shall, in making the determinations under paragraphs (1) and (9) of subsection (a), and for the purposes of promoting the effective, efficient, and economical delivery of health care services, and of promoting the quality of services of the type for which payment may be made under this subchapter, enter into contracts with quality improvement organizations pursuant to part B of subchapter XI of this chapter.
(2) In addition to any funds otherwise available, there are appropriated to the Secretary, out of any monies in the Treasury not otherwise obligated, $200,000,000, to remain available until expended, for purposes of requiring multiple organizations described in paragraph (1) to provide to skilled nursing facilities (as defined in section 1935i–3(a) of this title), infection control and vaccination uptake support relating to the prevention or mitigation of COVID–19, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(h) Waiver of electronic form requirement
(1) The Secretary—
(A) shall waive the application of subsection (a)(22) in cases in which—
(i) there is no method available for the submission of claims in an electronic form; or
(ii) the entity submitting the claim is a small provider of services or supplier; and
(B) may waive the application of such subsection in such unusual cases as the Secretary finds appropriate.
(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term “small provider of services or supplier” means—
(A) a provider of services with fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees; or
(B) a physician, practitioner, facility, or supplier (other than provider of services) with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees.
(i) Awards and contracts for original research and experimentation of new and existing medical procedures; conditionsIn order to supplement the activities of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission under section 1395ww(e) of this title in assessing the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of new and existing medical procedures, the Secretary may carry out, or award grants or contracts for, original research and experimentation of the type described in clause (ii) of section 1395ww(e)(6)(E) of this title with respect to such a procedure if the Secretary finds that—
(1) such procedure is not of sufficient commercial value to justify research and experimentation by a commercial organization;
(2) research and experimentation with respect to such procedure is not of a type that may appropriately be carried out by an institute, division, or bureau of the National Institutes of Health; and
(3) such procedure has the potential to be more cost-effective in the treatment of a condition than procedures currently in use with respect to such condition.
(j) Nonvoting members and experts
(1) Any advisory committee appointed to advise the Secretary on matters relating to the interpretation, application, or implementation of subsection (a)(1) shall assure the full participation of a nonvoting member in the deliberations of the advisory committee, and shall provide such nonvoting member access to all information and data made available to voting members of the advisory committee, other than information that—
(A) is exempt from disclosure pursuant to subsection (a) of section 552 of title 5 by reason of subsection (b)(4) of such section (relating to trade secrets); or
(B) the Secretary determines would present a conflict of interest relating to such nonvoting member.
(2) If an advisory committee described in paragraph (1) organizes into panels of experts according to types of items or services considered by the advisory committee, any such panel of experts may report any recommendation with respect to such items or services directly to the Secretary without the prior approval of the advisory committee or an executive committee thereof.
(k) Dental benefits under group health plans
(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a group health plan (as defined in subsection (a)(1)(A)(v)) 7
7 So in original. Probably should be “(b)(1)(A)(v))”.
providing supplemental or secondary coverage to individuals also entitled to services under this subchapter shall not require a medicare claims determination under this subchapter for dental benefits specifically excluded under subsection (a)(12) as a condition of making a claims determination for such benefits under the group health plan.
(2) A group health plan may require a claims determination under this subchapter in cases involving or appearing to involve inpatient dental hospital services or dental services expressly covered under this subchapter pursuant to actions taken by the Secretary.
(l)
(1) Factors and evidence used in making national coverage determinations
(2) Timeframe for decisions on requests for national coverage determinationsIn the case of a request for a national coverage determination that—
(A) does not require a technology assessment from an outside entity or deliberation from the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee, the decision on the request shall be made not later than 6 months after the date of the request; or
(B) requires such an assessment or deliberation and in which a clinical trial is not requested, the decision on the request shall be made not later than 9 months after the date of the request.
(3) Process for public comment in national coverage determinations
(A) Period for proposed decision
(B) 30-day period for public comment
(C) 60-day period for final decisionNot later than 60 days after the conclusion of the 30-day period referred to under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall—
(i) make a final decision on the request;
(ii) include in such final decision summaries of the public comments received and responses to such comments;
(iii) make available to the public the clinical evidence and other data used in making such a decision when the decision differs from the recommendations of the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee; and
(iv) in the case of a final decision under clause (i) to grant the request for the national coverage determination, the Secretary shall assign a temporary or permanent code (whether existing or unclassified) and implement the coding change.
(4) Consultation with outside experts in certain national coverage determinations
(5) Local coverage determination process
(A) Plan to promote consistency of coverage determinations
(B) Consultation
(C) Dissemination of information
(D) Local coverage determinationsThe Secretary shall require each Medicare administrative contractor that develops a local coverage determination to make available on the Internet website of such contractor and on the Medicare Internet website, at least 45 days before the effective date of such determination, the following information:
(i) Such determination in its entirety.
(ii) Where and when the proposed determination was first made public.
(iii) Hyperlinks to the proposed determination and a response to comments submitted to the contractor with respect to such proposed determination.
(iv) A summary of evidence that was considered by the contractor during the development of such determination and a list of the sources of such evidence.
(v) An explanation of the rationale that supports such determination.
(6) National and local coverage determination definedFor purposes of this subsection—
(A) National coverage determination
(B) Local coverage determination
(m) Coverage of routine costs associated with certain clinical trials of category A devices
(1) In general
(2) Category A clinical trialFor purposes of paragraph (1), a “category A clinical trial” means a trial of a medical device if—
(A) the trial is of an experimental/investigational (category A) medical device (as defined in regulations under section 405.201(b) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect as of September 1, 2003));
(B) the trial meets criteria established by the Secretary to ensure that the trial conforms to appropriate scientific and ethical standards; and
(C) in the case of a trial initiated before January 1, 2010, the device involved in the trial has been determined by the Secretary to be intended for use in the diagnosis, monitoring, or treatment of an immediately life-threatening disease or condition.
(n) Requirement of a surety bond for certain providers of services and suppliers
(1) In general
(2) Provider of services or supplier described
(o) Suspension of payments pending investigation of credible allegations of fraud
(1) In general
(2) Consultation
(3) Promulgation of regulations
(4) Credible allegation of fraud
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1862, as added Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 102(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 325; amended Pub. L. 90–248, title I, §§ 127(b), 128, Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 846, 847; Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §§ 210, 211(c)(1), 229(a), 256(c), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1382, 1384, 1408, 1447; Pub. L. 93–233, § 18(k)(3), Dec. 31, 1973, 87 Stat. 970; Pub. L. 93–480, § 4(a), Oct. 26, 1974, 88 Stat. 1454; Pub. L. 94–182, title I, § 103, Dec. 31, 1975, 89 Stat. 1051; Pub. L. 95–142, §§ 7(a), 13(a), (b)(1), (2), Oct. 25, 1977, 91 Stat. 1192, 1197, 1198; Pub. L. 95–210, § 1(f), Dec. 13, 1977, 91 Stat. 1487; Pub. L. 96–272, title III, § 308(a), June 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 531; Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, §§ 913(b), 936(c), 939(a), 953, Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2620, 2640, 2647; Pub. L. 96–611, § 1(a)(3), Dec. 28, 1980, 94 Stat. 3566; Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, §§ 2103(a)(1), 2146(a), 2152(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 787, 800, 802; Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §§ 116(b), 122(f), (g)(1), 128(a)(2)–(4), 142, 148(a), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 353, 362, 366, 381, 394; Pub. L. 97–448, title III, § 309(b)(10), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2409; Pub. L. 98–21, title VI, §§ 601(f), 602(e), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 162, 163; Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, §§ 2301(a), 2304(c), 2313(c), 2344(a)–(c), 2354(b)(30), (31), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1063, 1068, 1078, 1095, 1101, 1102; Pub. L. 99–272, title IX, §§ 9201(a), 9307(a), 9401(c)(1), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 170, 193, 199; Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, §§ 9316(b), 9319(a), (b), 9320(h)(1), 9343(c)(1), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 2007, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2040; Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L. 100–93, §§ 8(c)(1), (3), 10, Aug. 18, 1987, 101 Stat. 692, 693, 696; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §§ 4009(j)(6)(C), 4034(a), 4036(a)(1), 4039(c)(1), 4072(c), 4085(i)(15), (16), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–59, 1330–77, 1330–79, 1330–82, 1330–117, 1330–133; Pub. L. 100–360, title II, §§ 202(d), 204(d)(2), 205(e)(1), title IV, § 411(f)(4)(D)(i), (i)(4)(D), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 715, 729, 731, 778, 790; Pub. L. 100–485, title VI, § 608(d)(7), (24)(C), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2415, 2421; Pub. L. 101–234, title II, § 201(a), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1981; Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, §§ 6003(g)(3)(D)(xi), 6103(b)(3)(B), 6115(b), 6202(a)(2)(A), (b)(1), (e)(1), 6411(d)(2), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2154, 2199, 2219, 2228, 2229, 2234, 2271; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, §§ 4107(b), 4153(b)(2)(B), 4157(c)(1), 4161(a)(3)(C), 4163(d)(2), 4203(a)(1), (b), (c)(1), 4204(g)(1), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–62, 1388–84, 1388–89, 1388–94, 1388–100, 1388–107, 1388–112; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, §§ 13561(a)(1), (b)–(d)(1), (e)(1), 13581(b)(1), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 593, 594, 611; Pub. L. 103–432, title I, §§ 145(c)(1), 147(e)(6), 151(a)(1)(A), (C), (2)(A), (b)(3)(A), (B), (c)(1), (4)–(6), (9)(B), 156(a)(2)(D), 157(b)(7), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4427, 4430, 4432–4436, 4441, 4442; Pub. L. 104–224, § 1, Oct. 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 3031; Pub. L. 104–226, § 1(b)(1), Oct. 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 3033; Pub. L. 105–12, § 9(a)(1), Apr. 30, 1997, 111 Stat. 26; Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, §§ 4022(b)(1)(B), 4102(c), 4103(c), 4104(c)(3), 4201(c)(1), 4319(b), 4432(b)(1), 4507(a)(2)(B), 4511(a)(2)(C), 4541(b), 4603(c)(2)(C), 4614(a), 4631(a)(1), (b), (c)(1), 4632(a), 4633(a), (b), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 354, 361, 362, 365, 373, 394, 420, 441, 442, 456, 471, 474, 486, 487; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(6) [title III, §§ 305(b), 321(k)(10)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–362, 1501A–367; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title I, § 102(c), title III, § 313(a), title IV, § 432(b)(1), title V, § 522(b)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–468, 2763A–499, 2763A–526, 2763A–546; Pub. L. 107–105, § 3(a), Dec. 27, 2001, 115 Stat. 1006; Pub. L. 108–173, title III, §§ 301(a)–(c), 303(i)(3)(B), title VI, §§ 611(d)(1), 612(c), 613(c), title VII, § 731(a)(1), (b)(1), title IX, §§ 900(e)(1)(J), 944(a)(1), 948(a), 950(a), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2221, 2222, 2254, 2304–2306, 2349, 2351, 2372, 2422, 2425, 2426; Pub. L. 109–171, title V, § 5112(d), Feb. 8, 2006, 120 Stat. 44; Pub. L. 110–173, title I, § 111(a), Dec. 29, 2007, 121 Stat. 2497; Pub. L. 110–275, title I, §§ 101(a)(3), (b)(3), (4), 135(a)(2)(A), 143(b)(7), 152(b)(1)(D), 153(b)(2), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2497, 2498, 2535, 2543, 2552, 2555; Pub. L. 111–148, title I, § 1104(d), title IV, § 4103(d), title VI, § 6402(g)(3), (h)(1), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 153, 556, 759, 760; Pub. L. 112–40, title II, § 261(a)(3)(A), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 423; Pub. L. 112–242, title II, §§ 201, 202(a), 203–205(a), Jan. 10, 2013, 126 Stat. 2375, 2378, 2380, 2381; Pub. L. 113–188, title IX, § 902(d), Nov. 26, 2014, 128 Stat. 2022; Pub. L. 114–10, title V, § 516(a), Apr. 16, 2015, 129 Stat. 175; Pub. L. 114–255, div. A, title IV, § 4009(a), Dec. 13, 2016, 130 Stat. 1185; Pub. L. 115–271, title II, § 2008(c), (d), title IV, § 4002, Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 3931, 3959; Pub. L. 116–215, div. B, title III, § 1301, Dec. 11, 2020, 134 Stat. 1045; Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, § 9401, Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 127; Pub. L. 117–108, title I, § 101(a)(2)(C), Apr. 6, 2022, 136 Stat. 1136; Pub. L. 119–75, div. J, title II, § 6221(b)(2)(B), Feb. 3, 2026, 140 Stat. 663.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395y

§ 1395z. Consultation with State agencies and other organizations to develop conditions of participation for providers of services

In carrying out his functions, relating to determination of conditions of participation by providers of services, under subsections (e)(9), (f)(4), (j)(15),1

1 See References in Text note below.
(o)(6), (cc)(2)(I), and 2
2 So in original. The word “and” probably should not appear.
(dd)(2), and (mm)(1) of section 1395x of this title, or by ambulatory surgical centers under section 1395k(a)(2)(F)(i) of this title, the Secretary shall consult with appropriate State agencies and recognized national listing or accrediting bodies, and may consult with appropriate local agencies. Such conditions prescribed under any of such subsections may be varied for different areas or different classes of institutions or agencies and may, at the request of a State, provide higher requirements for such State than for other States; except that, in the case of any State or political subdivision of a State which imposes higher requirements on institutions as a condition to the purchase of services (or of certain specified services) in such institutions under a State plan approved under subchapter I, XVI, or XIX, the Secretary shall impose like requirements as a condition to the payment for services (or for the services specified by the State or subdivision) in such institutions in such State or subdivision.

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1863, as added Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 102(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 325; amended Pub. L. 92–603, title II, § 234(g)(2), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1413; Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, §§ 933(f), 934(c)(1), Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2636, 2639; Pub. L. 97–248, title I, § 122(g)(2), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 362; Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, §§ 2335(c), 2349(b)(1), 2354(b)(32), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1090, 1097, 1102; Pub. L. 100–360, title II, §§ 203(e)(2), 204(c)(1), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 725, 728; Pub. L. 101–234, title II, § 201(a), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1981; Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, § 6003(g)(3)(C)(ii), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2152; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, § 4163(c)(1), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–99; Pub. L. 103–432, title I, § 145(c)(2), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4427.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395z

§ 1395aa. Agreements with States
(a) Use of State agencies to determine compliance by providers of services with conditions of participation
(b) Payment in advance or by way of reimbursement to State for performance of functions of subsection (a)
(c) Use of State or local agencies to survey hospitals
(d) Fulfillment of requirements by States
(e) Prohibition of user fees for survey and certification
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1864, as added Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 102(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 326; amended Pub. L. 90–248, title I, § 133(f), title II, § 228(b), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 852, 904; Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §§ 244(a), 277, 278(a)(16), (b)(15), 299D(a), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1422, 1452–1454, 1461; Pub. L. 95–210, § 1(i), Dec. 13, 1977, 91 Stat. 1488; Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, §§ 933(g), 934(c)(2), Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2637, 2639; Pub. L. 96–611, § 1(a)(2), Dec. 28, 1980, 94 Stat. 3566; Pub. L. 97–248, title I, § 122(g)(3), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 362; Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, § 2354(b)(17), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1101; Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, § 9320(h)(3), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 2016; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §§ 4025(a), 4072(d), 4201(a)(2), (d)(4), 4202(a)(1), (c), 4203(a)(1), 4212(b), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–74, 1330–117, 1330–160, 1330–174, 1330–179, 1330–212, as amended Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, § 411(l)(1)(C), (6)(B), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 804, as amended Pub. L. 100–485, title VI, § 608(d)(27)(B), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2422; Pub. L. 100–360, title II, §§ 203(e)(3), 204(c)(2), (d)(3), title IV, § 411(d)(4)(A), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 725, 728, 729, 774, as amended Pub. L. 100–485, title VI, § 608(d)(20)(B), (C), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2419, 2420; Pub. L. 101–234, title II, § 201(a), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1981; Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, §§ 6003(g)(3)(C)(iii), 6115(c), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2152, 2219; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, §§ 4154(d)(1), 4163(c)(2), 4207(g), formerly 4027(g), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–85, 1388–100, 1388–123; Pub. L. 103–432, title I, §§ 145(c)(3), 160(a)(1), (d)(4), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4427, 4443, 4444; Pub. L. 104–134, title I, § 101(d) [title V, § 516(c)(1)], Apr. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 1321–211, 1321–247; renumbered title I, Pub. L. 104–140, § 1(a), May 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 1327; Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, §§ 4106(c), 4201(c)(1), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 368, 373; Pub. L. 110–275, title I, § 125(b)(3), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2519; Pub. L. 116–260, div. CC, title I, § 125(d)(2), title IV, § 407(a)(3)(A), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2966, 3007.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395aa

§ 1395bb. Effect of accreditation
(a) Accreditation by American Osteopathic Association or other national accreditation body
(1) If the Secretary finds that accreditation of a provider entity (as defined in paragraph (4)) by the American Osteopathic Association or any other national accreditation body demonstrates that all of the applicable conditions or requirements of this subchapter (other than the requirements of section 1395m(j) of this title) are met or exceeded—
(A) in the case of a provider entity not described in paragraph (3)(B), the Secretary shall treat such entity as meeting those conditions or requirements with respect to which the Secretary made such finding; or
(B) in the case of a provider entity described in paragraph (3)(B), the Secretary may treat such entity as meeting those conditions or requirements with respect to which the Secretary made such finding.
(2) In making such a finding, the Secretary shall consider, among other factors with respect to a national accreditation body, its requirements for accreditation, its survey procedures, its ability to provide adequate resources for conducting required surveys and supplying information for use in enforcement activities, its monitoring procedures for provider entities found out of compliance with the conditions or requirements, and its ability to provide the Secretary with necessary data for validation.
(3)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), not later than 60 days after the date of receipt of a written request for a finding under paragraph (1) (with any documentation necessary to make a determination on the request), the Secretary shall publish a notice identifying the national accreditation body making the request, describing the nature of the request, and providing a period of at least 30 days for the public to comment on the request. The Secretary shall approve or deny a request for such a finding, and shall publish notice of such approval or denial, not later than 210 days after the date of receipt of the request (with such documentation). Such an approval shall be effective with respect to accreditation determinations made on or after such effective date (which may not be later than the date of publication of the approval) as the Secretary specifies in the publication notice.
(B) The 210-day and 60-day deadlines specified in subparagraph (A) shall not apply in the case of any request for a finding with respect to accreditation of a provider entity to which the conditions and requirements of sections 1395i–3 and 1395x(j) of this title apply.
(4) For purposes of this section, the term “provider entity” means a provider of services, supplier, facility (including a renal dialysis facility), clinic, agency, or laboratory.
(b) Disclosure of accreditation survey
(c) Deficiencies
(d) State or local accreditation
(e) Accreditation for dialysis facilitiesWith respect to an accreditation body that has received approval from the Secretary under subsection (a)(3)(A) for accreditation of provider entities that are required to meet the conditions and requirements under section 1395rr(b) of this title, in addition to review and oversight authorities otherwise applicable under this subchapter, the Secretary shall (as the Secretary determines appropriate) conduct, with respect to such accreditation body and provider entities, any or all of the following as frequently as is otherwise required to be conducted under this subchapter with respect to other accreditation bodies or other provider entities:
(1) Validation surveys referred to in subsection (d).
(2) Accreditation program reviews (as defined in section 488.8(c) of title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or a successor regulation).
(3) Performance reviews (as defined in section 488.8(a) of title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or a successor regulation).
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1865, as added Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 102(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 326; amended Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §§ 234(h), 244(b), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1413, 1423; Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §§ 122(g)(4), 128(d)(3), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 362, 367; Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, §§ 2345(a), 2346(a), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1096; Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, §§ 9305(c)(3), 9320(h)(3), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1990, 2016; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §§ 4025(b), 4072(d), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–117, as amended Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, § 411(d)(4)(B)(ii), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 774; Pub. L. 100–360, title II, §§ 204(c)(3), (d)(3), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 728, 729; Pub. L. 100–485, title VI, § 608(d)(20)(D), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2420; Pub. L. 101–234, title II, § 201(a), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1981; Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, §§ 6003(g)(3)(C)(iv), 6019(a)–(c), 6115(c), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2153, 2165, 2166, 2219; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, § 4163(c)(3), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–100; Pub. L. 103–432, title I, § 145(c)(4), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4427; Pub. L. 104–134, title I, § 101(d) [title V, § 516(b), (c)(2)], Apr. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 1321–211, 1321–246, 1321–247; renumbered title I, Pub. L. 104–140, § 1(a), May 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 1327; Pub. L. 108–173, title VII, § 736(a)(12), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2355; Pub. L. 110–275, title I, § 125(a), (b)(1), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2519; Pub. L. 115–123, div. E, title IV, § 50403(a)(1), Feb. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 217; Pub. L. 116–260, div. CC, title IV, § 407(a)(2), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3007.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395bb

§ 1395cc. Agreements with providers of services; enrollment processes
(a) Filing of agreements; eligibility for payment; charges with respect to items and services
(1) Any provider of services (except a fund designated for purposes of section 1395f(g) and section 1395n(e) of this title
(A)
(i) not to charge, except as provided in paragraph (2), any individual or any other person for items or services for which such individual is entitled to have payment made under this subchapter (or for which he would be so entitled if such provider of services had complied with the procedural and other requirements under or pursuant to this subchapter or for which such provider is paid pursuant to the provisions of section 1395f(e) of this title), and (ii) not to impose any charge that is prohibited under section 1396a(n)(3) of this title,
(B) not to charge any individual or any other person for items or services for which such individual is not entitled to have payment made under this subchapter because payment for expenses incurred for such items or services may not be made by reason of the provisions of paragraph (1) or (9) of section 1395y(a) of this title, but only if (i) such individual was without fault in incurring such expenses and (ii) the Secretary’s determination that such payment may not be made for such items and services was made after the third year following the year in which notice of such payment was sent to such individual; except that the Secretary may reduce such three-year period to not less than one year if he finds such reduction is consistent with the objectives of this subchapter,
(C) to make adequate provision for return (or other disposition, in accordance with regulations) of any moneys incorrectly collected from such individual or other person,
(D) to promptly notify the Secretary of its employment of an individual who, at any time during the year preceding such employment, was employed in a managerial, accounting, auditing, or similar capacity (as determined by the Secretary by regulation) by an agency or organization which serves as a fiscal intermediary or carrier (for purposes of part A or part B, or both, of this subchapter) with respect to the provider,
(E) to release data with respect to patients of such provider upon request to an organization having a contract with the Secretary under part B of subchapter XI as may be necessary (i) to allow such organization to carry out its functions under such contract, or (ii) to allow such organization to carry out similar review functions under any contract the organization may have with a private or public agency paying for health care in the same area with respect to patients who authorize release of such data for such purposes,
(F)
(i) in the case of hospitals which provide inpatient hospital services for which payment may be made under subsection (b), (c), or (d) of section 1395ww of this title, to maintain an agreement with a professional standards review organization (if there is such an organization in existence in the area in which the hospital is located) or with a quality improvement organization which has a contract with the Secretary under part B of subchapter XI for the area in which the hospital is located, under which the organization will perform functions under that part with respect to the review of the validity of diagnostic information provided by such hospital, the completeness, adequacy, and quality of care provided, the appropriateness of admissions and discharges, and the appropriateness of care provided for which additional payments are sought under section 1395ww(d)(5) of this title, with respect to inpatient hospital services for which payment may be made under part A of this subchapter (and for purposes of payment under this subchapter, the cost of such agreement to the hospital shall be considered a cost incurred by such hospital in providing inpatient services under part A, and (I) shall be paid directly by the Secretary to such organization on behalf of such hospital in accordance with a rate per review established by the Secretary, (II) shall be transferred from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, without regard to amounts appropriated in advance in appropriation Acts, in the same manner as transfers are made for payment for services provided directly to beneficiaries, and (III) shall not be less in the aggregate for a fiscal year than the aggregate amount expended in fiscal year 1988 for direct and administrative costs (adjusted for inflation and for any direct or administrative costs incurred as a result of review functions added with respect to a subsequent fiscal year) of such reviews),
(ii) in the case of hospitals, critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies, to maintain an agreement with a quality improvement organization (which has a contract with the Secretary under part B of subchapter XI for the area in which the hospital, facility, or agency is located) to perform the functions described in paragraph (3)(A),
(G) in the case of hospitals which provide inpatient hospital services for which payment may be made under subsection (b) or (d) of section 1395ww of this title, not to charge any individual or any other person for inpatient hospital services for which such individual would be entitled to have payment made under part A but for a denial or reduction of payments under section 1395ww(f)(2) of this title,
(H)
(i) in the case of hospitals which provide services for which payment may be made under this subchapter and in the case of critical access hospitals which provide critical access hospital services, to have all items and services (other than physicians’ services as defined in regulations for purposes of section 1395y(a)(14) of this title, and other than services described by section 1395x(s)(2)(K) of this title, certified nurse-midwife services, qualified psychologist services, and services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist) (I) that are furnished to an individual who is a patient of the hospital, and (II) for which the individual is entitled to have payment made under this subchapter, furnished by the hospital or otherwise under arrangements (as defined in section 1395x(w)(1) of this title) made by the hospital,
(ii) in the case of skilled nursing facilities which provide covered skilled nursing facility services—(I) that are furnished to an individual who is a resident of the skilled nursing facility during a period in which the resident is provided covered post-hospital extended care services (or, for services described in section 1395x(s)(2)(D) of this title, that are furnished to such an individual without regard to such period), and(II) for which the individual is entitled to have payment made under this subchapter,
to have items and services (other than services described in section 1395yy(e)(2)(A)(ii) of this title) furnished by the skilled nursing facility or otherwise under arrangements (as defined in section 1395x(w)(1) of this title) made by the skilled nursing facility,
(I) in the case of a hospital, critical access hospital, or rural emergency hospital—
(i) to adopt and enforce a policy to ensure compliance with the requirements of section 1395dd of this title and to meet the requirements of such section,
(ii) to maintain medical and other records related to individuals transferred to or from the hospital, critical access hospital, or rural emergency hospital for a period of five years from the date of the transfer, and
(iii) to maintain a list of physicians who are on call for duty after the initial examination to provide treatment necessary to stabilize an individual with an emergency medical condition,
(J) in the case of hospitals which provide inpatient hospital services for which payment may be made under this subchapter, to be a participating provider of medical care under any health plan contracted for under section 1079 or 1086 of title 10, or under section 1713 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of title 38, in accordance with admission practices, payment methodology, and amounts as prescribed under joint regulations issued by the Secretary and by the Secretaries of Defense and Transportation, in implementation of sections 1079 and 1086 of title 10,
(K) not to charge any individual or any other person for items or services for which payment under this subchapter is denied under section 1320c–3(a)(2) of this title by reason of a determination under section 1320c–3(a)(1)(B) of this title,
(L) in the case of hospitals which provide inpatient hospital services for which payment may be made under this subchapter, to be a participating provider of medical care under chapter 17 of title 38, in accordance with such admission practices, and such payment methodology and amounts, as are prescribed under joint regulations issued by the Secretary and by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in implementation of such section,
(M) in the case of hospitals, to provide to each individual who is entitled to benefits under part A (or to a person acting on the individual’s behalf), at or about the time of the individual’s admission as an inpatient to the hospital, a written statement (containing such language as the Secretary prescribes consistent with this paragraph) which explains—
(i) the individual’s rights to benefits for inpatient hospital services and for post-hospital services under this subchapter,
(ii) the circumstances under which such an individual will and will not be liable for charges for continued stay in the hospital,
(iii) the individual’s right to appeal denials of benefits for continued inpatient hospital services, including the practical steps to initiate such an appeal, and
(iv) the individual’s liability for payment for services if such a denial of benefits is upheld on appeal,
and which provides such additional information as the Secretary may specify,
(N) in the case of hospitals, critical access hospitals, and rural emergency hospitals—
(i) to make available to its patients the directory or directories of participating physicians (published under section 1395u(h)(4) of this title) for the area served by the hospital, critical access hospital, or rural emergency hospital,
(ii) if hospital personnel (including staff of any emergency or outpatient department) refer a patient to a nonparticipating physician for further medical care on an outpatient basis, the personnel must inform the patient that the physician is a nonparticipating physician and, whenever practicable, must identify at least one qualified participating physician who is listed in such a directory and from whom the patient may receive the necessary services,
(iii) to post conspicuously in any emergency department a sign (in a form specified by the Secretary) specifying rights of individuals under section 1395dd of this title with respect to examination and treatment for emergency medical conditions and women in labor, and
(iv) to post conspicuously (in a form specified by the Secretary) information indicating whether or not the hospital, critical access hospital, or rural emergency hospital participates in the medicaid program under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX,
(O) to accept as payment in full for services that are covered under this subchapter and are furnished to any individual enrolled with a Medicare+Choice organization under part C, with a PACE provider under section 1395eee or 1396u–4 of this title, or with an eligible organization with a risk-sharing contract under section 1395mm of this title, under section 1395mm(i)(2)(A) of this title (as in effect before February 1, 1985), under section 1395b–1(a) of this title, or under section 222(a) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972, which does not have a contract (or, in the case of a PACE provider, contract or other agreement) establishing payment amounts for services furnished to members of the organization or PACE program eligible individuals enrolled with the PACE provider, the amounts that would be made as a payment in full under this subchapter (less any payments under sections 1395ww(d)(11) and 1395ww(h)(3)(D) of this title) if the individuals were not so enrolled,
(P) in the case of home health agencies which provide home health services to individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter who require catheters, catheter supplies, ostomy bags, and supplies related to ostomy care (described in section 1395x(m)(5) of this title), to offer to furnish such supplies to such an individual as part of their furnishing of home health services,
(Q) in the case of hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and hospice programs, to comply with the requirement of subsection (f) (relating to maintaining written policies and procedures respecting advance directives),
(R) to contract only with a health care clearinghouse (as defined in section 1320d of this title) that meets each standard and implementation specification adopted or established under part C of subchapter XI on or after the date on which the health care clearinghouse is required to comply with the standard or specification,
(S) in the case of a hospital that has a financial interest (as specified by the Secretary in regulations) in an entity to which individuals are referred as described in section 1395x(ee)(2)(H)(ii) of this title, or in which such an entity has such a financial interest, or in which another entity has such a financial interest (directly or indirectly) with such hospital and such an entity, to maintain and disclose to the Secretary (in a form and manner specified by the Secretary) information on—
(i) the nature of such financial interest,
(ii) the number of individuals who were discharged from the hospital and who were identified as requiring home health services, and
(iii) the percentage of such individuals who received such services from such provider (or another such provider),
(T) in the case of hospitals and critical access hospitals, to furnish to the Secretary such data as the Secretary determines appropriate pursuant to subparagraph (E) of section 1395ww(d)(12) of this title to carry out such section,
(U) in the case of hospitals which furnish inpatient hospital services for which payment may be made under this subchapter, to be a participating provider of medical care both—
(i) under the contract health services program funded by the Indian Health Service and operated by the Indian Health Service, an Indian tribe, or tribal organization (as those terms are defined in section 1603 of title 25), with respect to items and services that are covered under such program and furnished to an individual eligible for such items and services under such program; and
(ii) under any program funded by the Indian Health Service and operated by an urban Indian organization with respect to the purchase of items and services for an eligible urban Indian (as those terms are defined in such section 1603),
in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary regarding admission practices, payment methodology, and rates of payment (including the acceptance of no more than such payment rate as payment in full for such items and services,2
2 So in original. The comma probably should be preceded by a closing parenthesis.
(V) in the case of hospitals that are not otherwise subject to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 [29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.] (or a State occupational safety and health plan that is approved under 18(b) 3
3 So in original. Probably should be preceded by “section”.
of such Act [29 U.S.C. 667(b)]), to comply with the Bloodborne Pathogens standard under section 1910.1030 of title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (or as subsequently redesignated),
(W) in the case of a hospital described in section 1395ww(d)(1)(B)(v) of this title, to report quality data to the Secretary in accordance with subsection (k),
(X) maintain and, upon request of the Secretary, provide access to documentation relating to written orders or requests for payment for durable medical equipment, certifications for home health services, or referrals for other items or services written or ordered by the provider under this subchapter, as specified by the Secretary, and
(Y) beginning 12 months after August 6, 2015, in the case of a hospital or critical access hospital, with respect to each individual who receives observation services as an outpatient at such hospital or critical access hospital for more than 24 hours, to provide to such individual not later than 36 hours after the time such individual begins receiving such services (or, if sooner, upon release)—
(i) such oral explanation of the written notification described in clause (ii), and such documentation of the provision of such explanation, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate;
(ii) a written notification (as specified by the Secretary pursuant to rulemaking and containing such language as the Secretary prescribes consistent with this paragraph) which—(I) explains the status of the individual as an outpatient receiving observation services and not as an inpatient of the hospital or critical access hospital and the reasons for such status of such individual;(II) explains the implications of such status on services furnished by the hospital or critical access hospital (including services furnished on an inpatient basis), such as implications for cost-sharing requirements under this title and for subsequent eligibility for coverage under this title for services furnished by a skilled nursing facility;(III) includes such additional information as the Secretary determines appropriate;(IV) either—(aa) is signed by such individual or a person acting on such individual’s behalf to acknowledge receipt of such notification; or(bb) if such individual or person refuses to provide the signature described in item (aa), is signed by the staff member of the hospital or critical access hospital who presented the written notification and includes the name and title of such staff member, a certification that the notification was presented, and the date and time the notification was presented; and(V) is written and formatted using plain language and is made available in appropriate languages as determined by the Secretary.
In the case of a hospital which has an agreement in effect with an organization described in subparagraph (F), which organization’s contract with the Secretary under part B of subchapter XI is terminated on or after October 1, 1984, the hospital shall not be determined to be out of compliance with the requirement of such subparagraph during the six month period beginning on the date of the termination of that contract.
(2)
(A) A provider of services may charge such individual or other person (i) the amount of any deduction or coinsurance amount imposed pursuant to section 1395e(a)(1), (a)(3), or (a)(4), section 1395l(b), or section 1395x(y)(3) of this title with respect to such items and services (not in excess of the amount customarily charged for such items and services by such provider), and (ii) an amount equal to 20 per centum of the reasonable charges for such items and services (not in excess of 20 per centum of the amount customarily charged for such items and services by such provider) for which payment is made under part B or which are durable medical equipment furnished as home health services (but in the case of items and services furnished to individuals with end-stage renal disease, an amount equal to 20 percent of the estimated amounts for such items and services calculated on the basis established by the Secretary). In the case of items and services described in section 1395l(c) of this title, clause (ii) of the preceding sentence shall be applied by substituting for 20 percent the proportion which is appropriate under such section. A provider of services may not impose a charge under clause (ii) of the first sentence of this subparagraph with respect to items and services described in
(B) Where a provider of services has furnished, at the request of such individual, items or services which are in excess of or more expensive than the items or services with respect to which payment may be made under this subchapter, such provider of services may also charge such individual or other person for such more expensive items or services to the extent that the amount customarily charged by it for the items or services furnished at such request exceeds the amount customarily charged by it for the items or services with respect to which payment may be made under this subchapter.
(C) A provider of services may in accordance with its customary practice also appropriately charge any such individual for any whole blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as defined under regulations) furnished him with respect to which a deductible is imposed under section 1395e(a)(2) of this title, except that (i) any excess of such charge over the cost to such provider for the blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined) shall be deducted from any payment to such provider under this subchapter, (ii) no such charge may be imposed for the cost of administration of such blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined), and (iii) such charge may not be made to the extent such blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined) has been replaced on behalf of such individual or arrangements have been made for its replacement on his behalf. For purposes of this subparagraph, whole blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined) furnished an individual shall be deemed replaced when the provider of services is given one pint of blood for each pint of blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined) furnished such individual with respect to which a deduction is imposed under section 1395e(a)(2) of this title.
(D) Where a provider of services customarily furnishes items or services which are in excess of or more expensive than the items or services with respect to which payment may be made under this subchapter, such provider, notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this paragraph, may not, under the authority of subparagraph (B)(ii) of this paragraph, charge any individual or other person any amount for such items or services in excess of the amount of the payment which may otherwise be made for such items or services under this subchapter if the admitting physician has a direct or indirect financial interest in such provider.
(3)
(A) Under the agreement required under paragraph (1)(F)(ii), the quality improvement organization must perform functions (other than those covered under an agreement under paragraph (1)(F)(i)) under the third sentence of section 1320c–3(a)(4)(A) of this title and under section 1320c–3(a)(14) of this title with respect to services, furnished by the hospital, critical access hospital, rural emergency hospital, facility, or agency involved, for which payment may be made under this subchapter.
(B) For purposes of payment under this subchapter, the cost of such an agreement to the hospital, critical access hospital, rural emergency hospital, facility, or agency shall be considered a cost incurred by such hospital, critical access hospital, rural emergency hospital, facility, or agency in providing covered services under this subchapter and shall be paid directly by the Secretary to the quality improvement organization on behalf of such hospital, critical access hospital, rural emergency hospital, facility, or agency in accordance with a schedule established by the Secretary.
(C) Such payments—
(i) shall be transferred in appropriate proportions from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, without regard to amounts appropriated in advance in appropriation Acts, in the same manner as transfers are made for payment for services provided directly to beneficiaries, and
(ii) shall not be less in the aggregate for a fiscal year—(I) in the case of hospitals, than the amount specified in paragraph (1)(F)(i)(III), and(II) in the case of facilities, critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, and agencies, than the amounts the Secretary determines to be sufficient to cover the costs of such organizations’ conducting the activities described in subparagraph (A) with respect to such facilities, critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, or agencies under part B of subchapter XI.
(b) Termination or nonrenewal of agreements
(1) A provider of services may terminate an agreement with the Secretary under this section at such time and upon such notice to the Secretary and the public as may be provided in regulations, except that notice of more than six months shall not be required.
(2) The Secretary may refuse to enter into an agreement under this section or, upon such reasonable notice to the provider and the public as may be specified in regulations, may refuse to renew or may terminate such an agreement after the Secretary—
(A) has determined that the provider fails to comply substantially with the provisions of the agreement, with the provisions of this subchapter and regulations thereunder, or with a corrective action required under section 1395ww(f)(2)(B) of this title,
(B) has determined that the provider fails substantially to meet the applicable provisions of section 1395x of this title,
(C) has excluded the provider from participation in a program under this subchapter pursuant to section 1320a–7 of this title or section 1320a–7a of this title, or
(D) has ascertained that the provider has been convicted of a felony under Federal or State law for an offense which the Secretary determines is detrimental to the best interests of the program or program beneficiaries.
(3) A termination of an agreement or a refusal to renew an agreement under this subsection shall become effective on the same date and in the same manner as an exclusion from participation under the programs under this subchapter becomes effective under section 1320a–7(c) of this title.
(4)
(A) A hospital that fails to comply with the requirement of subsection (a)(1)(V) (relating to the Bloodborne Pathogens standard) is subject to a civil money penalty in an amount described in subparagraph (B), but is not subject to termination of an agreement under this section.
(B) The amount referred to in subparagraph (A) is an amount that is similar to the amount of civil penalties that may be imposed under section 17 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 [29 U.S.C. 666] for a violation of the Bloodborne Pathogens standard referred to in subsection (a)(1)(U) 4
4 So in original. Probably should be subsection “(a)(1)(V)”.
by a hospital that is subject to the provisions of such Act [29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.].
(C) A civil money penalty under this paragraph shall be imposed and collected in the same manner as civil money penalties under subsection (a) of section 1320a–7a of this title are imposed and collected under that section.
(c) Refiling after termination or nonrenewal; agreements with skilled nursing facilities
(1) Where the Secretary has terminated or has refused to renew an agreement under this subchapter with a provider of services, such provider may not file another agreement under this subchapter unless the Secretary finds that the reason for the termination or nonrenewal has been removed and that there is reasonable assurance that it will not recur.
(2) Where the Secretary has terminated or has refused to renew an agreement under this subchapter with a provider of services, the Secretary shall promptly notify each State agency which administers or supervises the administration of a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of such termination or nonrenewal.
(d) Decision to withhold payment for failure to review long-stay cases
(e) “Provider of services” definedFor purposes of this section, the term “provider of services” shall include—
(1) a clinic, rehabilitation agency, or public health agency if, in the case of a clinic or rehabilitation agency, such clinic or agency meets the requirements of section 1395x(p)(4)(A) of this title (or meets the requirements of such section through the operation of subsection (g) or (ll)(2) of section 1395x of this title), or if, in the case of a public health agency, such agency meets the requirements of section 1395x(p)(4)(B) of this title (or meets the requirements of such section through the operation of subsection (g) or (ll)(2) of section 1395x of this title), but only with respect to the furnishing of outpatient physical therapy services (as therein defined), (through the operation of section 1395x(g) of this title) with respect to the furnishing of outpatient occupational therapy services, or (through the operation of section 1395x(ll)(2) of this title) with respect to the furnishing of outpatient speech-language pathology;
(2) a community mental health center (as defined in section 1395x(ff)(3)(B) of this title), but only with respect to the furnishing of partial hospitalization services (as described in section 1395x(ff)(1) of this title), or intensive outpatient services (as described in section 1395x(ff)(4) of this title); and
(3) opioid treatment programs (as defined in paragraph (2) of section 1395x(jjj) of this title), but only with respect to the furnishing of opioid use disorder treatment services (as defined in paragraph (1) of such section).
(f) Maintenance of written policies and procedures
(1) For purposes of subsection (a)(1)(Q) and sections 1395i–3(c)(2)(E),5
5 So in original. Probably should refer to section 1395i–3(c)(1)(E).
1395l(s), 1395w–25(i), 1395mm(c)(8), and 1395bbb(a)(6) of this title, the requirement of this subsection is that a provider of services, Medicare+Choice organization, or prepaid or eligible organization (as the case may be) maintain written policies and procedures with respect to all adult individuals receiving medical care by or through the provider or organization—
(A) to provide written information to each such individual concerning—
(i) an individual’s rights under State law (whether statutory or as recognized by the courts of the State) to make decisions concerning such medical care, including the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment and the right to formulate advance directives (as defined in paragraph (3)), and
(ii) the written policies of the provider or organization respecting the implementation of such rights;
(B) to document in a prominent part of the individual’s current medical record whether or not the individual has executed an advance directive;
(C) not to condition the provision of care or otherwise discriminate against an individual based on whether or not the individual has executed an advance directive;
(D) to ensure compliance with requirements of State law (whether statutory or as recognized by the courts of the State) respecting advance directives at facilities of the provider or organization; and
(E) to provide (individually or with others) for education for staff and the community on issues concerning advance directives.
Subparagraph (C) shall not be construed as requiring the provision of care which conflicts with an advance directive.
(2) The written information described in paragraph (1)(A) shall be provided to an adult individual—
(A) in the case of a hospital, at the time of the individual’s admission as an inpatient,
(B) in the case of a skilled nursing facility, at the time of the individual’s admission as a resident,
(C) in the case of a home health agency, in advance of the individual coming under the care of the agency,
(D) in the case of a hospice program, at the time of initial receipt of hospice care by the individual from the program, and
(E) in the case of an eligible organization (as defined in section 1395mm(b) of this title) or an organization provided payments under section 1395l(a)(1)(A) of this title or a Medicare+ÐChoice organization, at the time of enrollment of the individual with the organization.
(3) In this subsection, the term “advance directive” means a written instruction, such as a living will or durable power of attorney for health care, recognized under State law (whether statutory or as recognized by the courts of the State) and relating to the provision of such care when the individual is incapacitated.
(4) For construction relating to this subsection, see section 14406 of this title (relating to clarification respecting assisted suicide, euthanasia, and mercy killing).
(g) Penalties for improper billing
(h) Dissatisfaction with determination of Secretary; appeal by institutions or agencies; single notice and hearing
(1)
(A) Except as provided in paragraph (2), an institution or agency dissatisfied with a determination by the Secretary that it is not a provider of services or with a determination described in subsection (b)(2) shall be entitled to a hearing thereon by the Secretary (after reasonable notice) to the same extent as is provided in section 405(b) of this title, and to judicial review of the Secretary’s final decision after such hearing as is provided in section 405(g) of this title, except that, in so applying such sections and in applying section 405(l) of this title thereto, any reference therein to the Commissioner of Social Security or the Social Security Administration shall be considered a reference to the Secretary or the Department of Health and Human Services, respectively.
(B) An institution or agency described in subparagraph (A) that has filed for a hearing under subparagraph (A) shall have expedited access to judicial review under this subparagraph in the same manner as providers of services, suppliers, and individuals entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B, or both, may obtain expedited access to judicial review under the process established under section 1395ff(b)(2) of this title. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to affect the application of any remedy imposed under section 1395i–3 of this title during the pendency of an appeal under this subparagraph.
(C)
(i) The Secretary shall develop and implement a process to expedite proceedings under this subsection in which—(I) the remedy of termination of participation has been imposed;(II) a remedy described in clause (i) or (iii) of section 1395i–3(h)(2)(B) of this title has been imposed, but only if such remedy has been imposed on an immediate basis; or(III) a determination has been made as to a finding of substandard quality of care that results in the loss of approval of a skilled nursing facility’s nurse aide training program.
(ii) Under such process under clause (i), priority shall be provided in cases of termination described in clause (i)(I).
(iii) Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to affect the application of any remedy imposed under section 1395i–3 of this title during the pendency of an appeal under this subparagraph.
(2) An institution or agency is not entitled to separate notice and opportunity for a hearing under both section 1320a–7 of this title and this section with respect to a determination or determinations based on the same underlying facts and issues.
(i) Intermediate sanctions for psychiatric hospitals
(1) If the Secretary determines that a psychiatric hospital which has an agreement in effect under this section no longer meets the requirements for a psychiatric hospital under this subchapter and further finds that the hospital’s deficiencies—
(A) immediately jeopardize the health and safety of its patients, the Secretary shall terminate such agreement; or
(B) do not immediately jeopardize the health and safety of its patients, the Secretary may terminate such agreement, or provide that no payment will be made under this subchapter with respect to any individual admitted to such hospital after the effective date of the finding, or both.
(2) If a psychiatric hospital, found to have deficiencies described in paragraph (1)(B), has not complied with the requirements of this subchapter—
(A) within 3 months after the date the hospital is found to be out of compliance with such requirements, the Secretary shall provide that no payment will be made under this subchapter with respect to any individual admitted to such hospital after the end of such 3-month period, or
(B) within 6 months after the date the hospital is found to be out of compliance with such requirements, no payment may be made under this subchapter with respect to any individual in the hospital until the Secretary finds that the hospital is in compliance with the requirements of this subchapter.
(j) Enrollment process for providers of services and suppliers
(1) Enrollment process
(A) In general
(B) Deadlines
(C) Consultation before changing provider enrollment forms
(2) Provider screening
(A) Procedures
(B) Level of screeningThe Secretary shall determine the level of screening conducted under this paragraph according to the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse, as determined by the Secretary, with respect to the category of provider of medical or other items or services or supplier. Such screening—
(i) shall include a licensure check, which may include such checks across States; and
(ii) may, as the Secretary determines appropriate based on the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse described in the preceding sentence, include—(I) a criminal background check;(II) fingerprinting;(III) unscheduled and unannounced site visits, including preenrollment site visits;(IV) database checks (including such checks across States); and(V) such other screening as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(C) Application fees
(i) Institutional providersExcept as provided in clause (ii), the Secretary shall impose a fee on each institutional provider of medical or other items or services or supplier (such as a hospital or skilled nursing facility) with respect to which screening is conducted under this paragraph in an amount equal to—(I) for 2010, $500; and(II) for 2011 and each subsequent year, the amount determined under this clause for the preceding year, adjusted by the percentage change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year.
(ii) Hardship exception; waiver for certain Medicaid providers
(iii) Use of funds
(D) Application and enforcement
(i) New providers of services and suppliers
(ii) Current providers of services and suppliers
(iii) Revalidation of enrollment
(iv) Limitation on enrollment and revalidation of enrollment
(E) Use of information from the Department of Treasury concerning tax debts
(F) Expedited rulemaking
(3) Provisional period of enhanced oversight for new providers of services and suppliers
(A) In general
(B) Implementation
(4) 90-day period of enhanced oversight for initial claims of DME suppliers
(5) Increased disclosure requirements
(A) Disclosure
(B) Authority to deny enrollment
(6) Authority to adjust payments of providers of services and suppliers with the same tax identification number for medicare obligations
(A) In general
(B) DefinitionsIn this paragraph:
(i) In general
(ii) Obligated provider of services or supplier
(7) Temporary moratorium on enrollment of new providers; nonpayment
(A) In general
(B) Limitation on review
(C) Nonpayment
(i) In general
(ii) Item or service describedAn item or service described in this clause is an item or service furnished—(I) within a geographic area with respect to which a temporary moratorium imposed under subparagraph (A) is in effect; and(II) by a provider of services or supplier that meets the requirements of clause (iii).
(iii) RequirementsFor purposes of clause (ii), the requirements of this clause are that a provider of services or supplier—(I) enrolls under this subchapter on or after the effective date of such temporary moratorium; and(II) is within a category of providers of services and suppliers (as described in subparagraph (A)) subject to such temporary moratorium.
(iv) Prohibition on charges for specified items or services
(8) Hearing rights in cases of denial or non-renewal
(9) Compliance programs
(A) In general
(B) Establishment of core elements
(C) Timeline for implementation
(k) Quality reporting by cancer hospitals
(1) In general
(2) Submission of quality data
(3) Quality measures
(A) In general
(B) Exception
(C) Time frame
(4) Public availability of data submitted
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1866, as added Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 102(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 327; amended Pub. L. 90–248, title I, §§ 129(c)(12), 133(c), 135(b), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 849, 851, 852; Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §§ 223(e), (g), 227(d)(2), 229(b), 249A(b)–(d), 278(a)(17), (b)(18), 281(c), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1394, 1406, 1409, 1427, 1453–1455; Pub. L. 95–142, §§ 3(b), 8(b), 13(b)(3), 15(a), Oct. 25, 1977, 91 Stat. 1178, 1194, 1195, 1198, 1200; Pub. L. 95–210, § 2(e), Dec. 13, 1977, 91 Stat. 1489; Pub. L. 95–292, § 4(e), June 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 315; Pub. L. 96–272, title III, § 308(b), June 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 531; Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, § 916(a), Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2623; Pub. L. 96–611, § 1(b)(4), Dec. 28, 1980, 94 Stat. 3566; Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, § 2153, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 802; Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §§ 122(g)(5), (6), 128(a)(5), (d)(4), 144, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 362, 366, 367, 393; Pub. L. 97–448, title III, § 309(a)(5), (b)(11), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2408, 2409; Pub. L. 98–21, title VI, § 602(f), (l), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 163, 166; Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, §§ 2303(f), 2315(d), 2321(c), 2323(b)(3), 2335(d), 2347(a), 2348(a), 2354(b)(33), (34), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1066, 1080, 1084, 1086, 1090, 1096, 1097, 1102; Pub. L. 99–272, title IX, §§ 9121(a), 9122(a), 9401(b)(2)(F), 9402(a), 9403(b), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 164, 167, 199, 200; Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, §§ 9305(b)(1), 9320(h)(2), 9332(e)(1), 9337(c)(2), 9343(c)(2), (3), 9353(e)(1), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1989, 2016, 2025, 2034, 2040, 2047; Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1895(b)(5), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2933; Pub. L. 99–576, title II, § 233(a), Oct. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 3265; Pub. L. 100–93, § 8(d), Aug. 18, 1987, 101 Stat. 693; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §§ 4012(a), 4062(d)(4), 4085(i)(17), (28), 4097(a), (b), 4212(e)(4), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–60, 1330–109, 1330–133, 1330–140, 1330–213, as amended Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, § 411(i)(4)(C)(vi), (j)(5), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 790, 791; Pub. L. 100–360, title I, § 104(d)(5), title II, §§ 201(b), (d), 202(h)(1), title IV, § 411(c)(2)(A)(i), (C), (g)(1)(D), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 689, 702, 718, 772, 782, as amended Pub. L. 100–485, title VI, § 608(d)(3)(F), (19)(A), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2414, 2419; Pub. L. 100–485, title VI, § 608(f)(1), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2424; Pub. L. 101–234, title I, § 101(a), title II, § 201(a), title III, § 301(b)(4), (d)(1), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1979, 1981, 1985, 1986; Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, §§ 6003(g)(3)(D)(xii), (xiii), 6017, 6018(a), 6020, 6112(e)(3), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2154, 2165, 2166, 2216; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, §§ 4008(b)(3)(B), (m)(3)(G)[(F)], 4153(d)(1), 4157(c)(2), 4162(b)(2), 4206(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–44, 1388–54, 1388–84, 1388–89, 1388–96, 1388–115; Pub. L. 102–54, § 13(q)(3)(F), June 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 280; Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(2), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 103–296, title I, § 108(c)(5), Aug. 15, 1994, 108 Stat. 1485; Pub. L. 103–432, title I, §§ 106(b)(1)(B), 147(e)(7), 156(a)(2)(E), 160(d)(2), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4406, 4430, 4441, 4443; Pub. L. 104–191, title II, § 262(b)(1), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 2031; Pub. L. 105–12, § 9(a)(2), Apr. 30, 1997, 111 Stat. 26; Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, §§ 4002(d), (e), 4201(c)(1), 4302(a), 4321(b), 4432(b)(5)(F), 4511(a)(2)(D), 4523(b), 4541(a)(3), 4641(a), 4714(b)(1), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 329, 373, 382, 395, 422, 442, 449, 456, 487, 510; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(6) [title III, § 321(k)(11), (12)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–368; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title III, § 313(b)(3)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–499; Pub. L. 108–173, title II, § 236(a)(1), title V, §§ 505(b), 506(a), title VII, § 736(a)(13), title IX, §§ 932(b), (c)(1), 936(a), 947(a), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2210, 2294, 2355, 2400, 2401, 2411, 2425; Pub. L. 110–275, title I, § 143(b)(8), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2543; Pub. L. 111–148, title III, § 3005, title VI, §§ 6401(a), 6406(b), title X, § 10603, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 371, 747, 769, 1006; Pub. L. 111–152, title I, § 1304, Mar. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 1058; Pub. L. 111–192, title I, § 103(b), (c), June 25, 2010, 124 Stat. 1283; Pub. L. 112–40, title II, § 261(a)(3)(A), (D), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 423; Pub. L. 114–42, § 2, Aug. 6, 2015, 129 Stat. 468; Pub. L. 114–255, div. C, title XVII, § 17004(a), (b)(2)(A), Dec. 13, 2016, 130 Stat. 1331, 1333; Pub. L. 115–182, title I, § 144(a)(2), June 6, 2018, 132 Stat. 1430; Pub. L. 115–271, title II, § 2005(d), Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 3930; Pub. L. 116–260, div. CC, title I, § 125(b)(1), (2)(A), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2965; Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title IV, § 4124(b)(4)(B), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5909.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395cc

§ 1395cc–1. Demonstration of application of physician volume increases to group practices
(a) Demonstration program authorized
(1) In general
The Secretary shall conduct demonstration projects to test and, if proven effective, expand the use of incentives to health care groups participating in the program under this subchapter that—
(A) encourage coordination of the care furnished to individuals under the programs under parts A and B by institutional and other providers, practitioners, and suppliers of health care items and services;
(B) encourage investment in administrative structures and processes to ensure efficient service delivery; and
(C) reward physicians for improving health outcomes.
Such projects shall focus on the efficiencies of furnishing health care in a group-practice setting as compared to the efficiencies of furnishing health care in other health care delivery systems.
(2) Administration by contract
(3) Definitions
For purposes of this section, terms have the following meanings:
(A) Physician
(B) Health care group
(b) Eligibility criteria
(1) In general
(2) Payment method
A health care group participating in the demonstration under this section shall agree with respect to services furnished to beneficiaries within the scope of the demonstration (as determined under subsection (c))—
(A) to be paid on a fee-for-service basis; and
(B) that payment with respect to all such services furnished by members of the health care group to such beneficiaries shall (where determined appropriate by the Secretary) be made to a single entity.
(3) Data reporting
(c) Patients within scope of demonstration
(1) In general
(2) Other criteria
(3) Notice requirements
(d) Incentives
(1) Performance target
The Secretary shall establish for each health care group participating in a demonstration under this section—
(A) a base expenditure amount, equal to the average total payments under parts A and B for patients served by the health care group on a fee-for-service basis in a base period determined by the Secretary; and
(B) an annual per capita expenditure target for patients determined to be within the scope of the demonstration, reflecting the base expenditure amount adjusted for risk and expected growth rates.
(2) Incentive bonus
(3) Additional bonus for process and outcome improvements
(4) Limitation
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1866A, as added Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title IV, § 412(a)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–509.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395cc-1

§ 1395cc–2. Provisions for administration of demonstration program
(a) General administrative authority
(1) Beneficiary eligibilityExcept as otherwise provided by the Secretary, an individual shall only be eligible to receive benefits under the program under section 1395cc–1 of this title (in this section referred to as the “demonstration program”) if such individual—
(A) is enrolled under the program under part B and entitled to benefits under part A; and
(B) is not enrolled in a Medicare+Choice plan under part C, an eligible organization under a contract under section 1395mm of this title (or a similar organization operating under a demonstration project authority), an organization with an agreement under section 1395l(a)(1)(A) of this title, or a PACE program under section 1395eee of this title.
(2) Secretary’s discretion as to scope of programThe Secretary may limit the implementation of the demonstration program to—
(A) a geographic area (or areas) that the Secretary designates for purposes of the program, based upon such criteria as the Secretary finds appropriate;
(B) a subgroup (or subgroups) of beneficiaries or individuals and entities furnishing items or services (otherwise eligible to participate in the program), selected on the basis of the number of such participants that the Secretary finds consistent with the effective and efficient implementation of the program;
(C) an element (or elements) of the program that the Secretary determines to be suitable for implementation; or
(D) any combination of any of the limits described in subparagraphs (A) through (C).
(3) Voluntary receipt of items and services
(4) Agreements
(5) Program standards and criteria
(6)
(7) Secretary’s review of marketing materials
(8) Payment in full
(A) In general
(B) Collection of deductibles and coinsurance
(b) Contracts for program administration
(1) In general
(2) Scope of program administrator contracts
(3) Eligible contractorsThe Secretary may contract for the administration of the program with—
(A) an entity that, under a contract under section 1395h or 1395u of this title, determines the amount of and makes payments for health care items and services furnished under this subchapter; or
(B) any other entity with substantial experience in managing the type of program concerned.
(4) Contract award, duration, and renewal
(A) In general
(B) Noncompetitive award and renewal for entities administering part A or part B payments
(5) Applicability of Federal Acquisition Regulation
(6) Performance standards
(7) Functions of program administratorA program administrator shall perform any or all of the following functions, as specified by the Secretary:
(A) Agreements with entities furnishing health care items and services
(B) Establishment of payment rates
(C) Payment of claims or fees
(D) Payment of bonuses
(E) Oversight
(F) Administrative review
(G) Review of marketing materials
(H) Additional functions
(8) Limitation of liability
(9) Information sharing
(c) Rules applicable to both program agreements and program administration contracts
(1) Records, reports, and audits
(2) BonusesNotwithstanding any other provision of law, but subject to subparagraph (B)(ii), the Secretary may make bonus payments under the demonstration program from the Federal Health Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund in amounts that do not exceed the amounts authorized under the program in accordance with the following:
(A) Payments to program administrators
(B) Payments to entities furnishing services
(i) In general
(ii) Limitations
(3) Antidiscrimination limitation
(d) Limitations on judicial reviewThe following actions and determinations with respect to the demonstration program shall not be subject to review by a judicial or administrative tribunal:
(1) Limiting the implementation of the program under subsection (a)(2).
(2) Establishment of program participation standards under subsection (a)(5) or the denial or termination of, or refusal to renew, an agreement with an entity to provide health care items and services under the program.
(3) Establishment of program administration contract performance standards under subsection (b)(6), the refusal to renew a program administration contract, or the noncompetitive award or renewal of a program administration contract under subsection (b)(4)(B).
(4) Establishment of payment rates, through negotiation or otherwise, under a program agreement or a program administration contract.
(5) A determination with respect to the program (where specifically authorized by the program authority or by subsection (c)(2))—
(A) as to whether cost savings have been achieved, and the amount of savings; or
(B) as to whether, to whom, and in what amounts bonuses will be paid.
(e) Application limited to parts A and B
(f) Reports to Congress
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1866B, as added Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title IV, § 412(a)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–511; amended Pub. L. 108–173, title VII, § 736(c)(5), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2356.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395cc-2

§ 1395cc–3. Health care quality demonstration program
(a) DefinitionsIn this section:
(1) Beneficiary
(2) Health care group
(A) In generalThe term “health care group” means—
(i) a group of physicians that is organized at least in part for the purpose of providing physician’s services under this subchapter;
(ii) an integrated health care delivery system that delivers care through coordinated hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, ambulatory surgery centers, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation facilities and clinics, and employed, independent, or contracted physicians; or
(iii) an organization representing regional coalitions of groups or systems described in clause (i) or (ii).
(B) Inclusion
(3) Physician
(b) Demonstration projectsThe Secretary shall establish a demonstration program under which the Secretary shall approve demonstration projects that examine health delivery factors that encourage the delivery of improved quality in patient care, including—
(1) the provision of incentives to improve the safety of care provided to beneficiaries;
(2) the appropriate use of best practice guidelines by providers and services by beneficiaries;
(3) reduced scientific uncertainty in the delivery of care through the examination of variations in the utilization and allocation of services, and outcomes measurement and research;
(4) encourage shared decision making between providers and patients;
(5) the provision of incentives for improving the quality and safety of care and achieving the efficient allocation of resources;
(6) the appropriate use of culturally and ethnically sensitive health care delivery; and
(7) the financial effects on the health care marketplace of altering the incentives for care delivery and changing the allocation of resources.
(c) Administration by contract
(1) In general
(2) Alternative payment systemsA health care group that receives assistance under this section may, with respect to the demonstration project to be carried out with such assistance, include proposals for the use of alternative payment systems for items and services provided to beneficiaries by the group that are designed to—
(A) encourage the delivery of high quality care while accomplishing the objectives described in subsection (b); and
(B) streamline documentation and reporting requirements otherwise required under this subchapter.
(3) Benefits
(d) Eligibility criteriaTo be eligible to receive assistance under this section, an entity shall—
(1) be a health care group;
(2) meet quality standards established by the Secretary, including—
(A) the implementation of continuous quality improvement mechanisms that are aimed at integrating community-based support services, primary care, and referral care;
(B) the implementation of activities to increase the delivery of effective care to beneficiaries;
(C) encouraging patient participation in preference-based decisions;
(D) the implementation of activities to encourage the coordination and integration of medical service delivery; and
(E) the implementation of activities to measure and document the financial impact on the health care marketplace of altering the incentives of health care delivery and changing the allocation of resources; and
(3) meet such other requirements as the Secretary may establish.
(e) Waiver authority
(f) Budget neutrality
(g) Notice requirements
(h) Participation and support by Federal agenciesIn carrying out the demonstration program under this section, the Secretary may direct—
(1) the Director of the National Institutes of Health to expand the efforts of the Institutes to evaluate current medical technologies and improve the foundation for evidence-based practice;
(2) the Administrator of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to, where possible and appropriate, use the program under this section as a laboratory for the study of quality improvement strategies and to evaluate, monitor, and disseminate information relevant to such program; and
(3) the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Administrator of the Center for Medicare Choices to support linkages of relevant medicare data to registry information from participating health care groups for the beneficiary populations served by the participating groups, for analysis supporting the purposes of the demonstration program, consistent with the applicable provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1866C, as added Pub. L. 108–173, title VI, § 646, Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2324; amended Pub. L. 111–148, title III, § 3021(c), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 395.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395cc-3

§ 1395cc–4. National pilot program on payment bundling
(a) Implementation
(1) In general
(2) DefinitionsIn this section:
(A) Applicable beneficiaryThe term “applicable beneficiary” means an individual who—
(i) is entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A and enrolled for benefits under part B of such subchapter, but not enrolled under part C or a PACE program under section 1395eee of this title; and
(ii) is admitted to a hospital for an applicable condition.
(B) Applicable conditionThe term “applicable condition” means 1 or more of 10 conditions selected by the Secretary. In selecting conditions under the preceding sentence, the Secretary shall take into consideration the following factors:
(i) Whether the conditions selected include a mix of chronic and acute conditions.
(ii) Whether the conditions selected include a mix of surgical and medical conditions.
(iii) Whether a condition is one for which there is evidence of an opportunity for providers of services and suppliers to improve the quality of care furnished while reducing total expenditures under this subchapter.
(iv) Whether a condition has significant variation in—(I) the number of readmissions; and(II) the amount of expenditures for post-acute care spending under this subchapter.
(v) Whether a condition is high-volume and has high post-acute care expenditures under this subchapter.
(vi) Which conditions the Secretary determines are most amenable to bundling across the spectrum of care given practice patterns under this subchapter.
(C) Applicable servicesThe term “applicable services” means the following:
(i) Acute care inpatient services.
(ii) Physicians’ services delivered in and outside of an acute care hospital setting.
(iii) Outpatient hospital services, including emergency department services.
(iv) Post-acute care services, including home health services, skilled nursing services, inpatient rehabilitation services, and inpatient hospital services furnished by a long-term care hospital.
(v) Other services the Secretary determines appropriate.
(D) Episode of care
(i) In generalSubject to clause (ii), the term “episode of care” means, with respect to an applicable condition and an applicable beneficiary, the period that includes—(I) the 3 days prior to the admission of the applicable beneficiary to a hospital for the applicable condition;(II) the length of stay of the applicable beneficiary in such hospital; and(III) the 30 days following the discharge of the applicable beneficiary from such hospital.
(ii) Establishment of period by the Secretary
(E) Physicians’ services
(F) Pilot program
(G) Provider of services
(H) Readmission
(I) Supplier
(3) Deadline for implementation
(b) Developmental phase
(1) Determination of patient assessment instrument
(2) Development of quality measures for an episode of care and for post-acute care
(A) In generalThe Secretary, in consultation with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the entity with a contract under section 1395aaa(a) of this title, shall develop quality measures for use in the pilot program—
(i) for episodes of care; and
(ii) for post-acute care.
(B) Site-neutral post-acute care quality measures
(C) Coordination with quality measure development and endorsement procedures
(c) Details
(1) Duration
(A) In general
(B) ExpansionThe Secretary may, at any point after January 1, 2016, expand the duration and scope of the pilot program, to the extent determined appropriate by the Secretary, if—
(i) the Secretary determines that such expansion is expected to—(I) reduce spending under this subchapter without reducing the quality of care; or(II) improve the quality of care and reduce spending;
(ii) the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services certifies that such expansion would reduce program spending under this subchapter; and
(iii) the Secretary determines that such expansion would not deny or limit the coverage or provision of benefits under this subchapter for individuals.
(2) Participating providers of services and suppliers
(A) In general
(B) Requirements
(3) Payment methodology
(A) In general
(i) Establishment of payment methods
(ii) No additional program expenditures
(B) Inclusion of certain services
(C) Bundled payments
(i) In generalA bundled payment under the pilot program shall—(I) be comprehensive, covering the costs of applicable services and other appropriate services furnished to an individual during an episode of care (as determined by the Secretary); and(II) be made to the entity which is participating in the pilot program.
(ii) Requirement for provision of applicable services and other appropriate services
(D) Payment for post-acute care services after the episode of care
(4) Quality measures
(A) In generalThe Secretary shall establish quality measures (including quality measures of process, outcome, and structure) related to care provided by entities participating in the pilot program. Quality measures established under the preceding sentence shall include measures of the following:
(i) Functional status improvement.
(ii) Reducing rates of avoidable hospital readmissions.
(iii) Rates of discharge to the community.
(iv) Rates of admission to an emergency room after a hospitalization.
(v) Incidence of health care acquired infections.
(vi) Efficiency measures.
(vii) Measures of patient-centeredness of care.
(viii) Measures of patient perception of care.
(ix) Other measures, including measures of patient outcomes, determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(B) Reporting on quality measures
(i) In general
(ii) Submission of data through electronic health record
(d) Waiver
(e) Independent evaluation and reports on pilot program
(1) Independent evaluationThe Secretary shall conduct an independent evaluation of the pilot program, including the extent to which the pilot program has—
(A) improved quality measures established under subsection (c)(4)(A);
(B) improved health outcomes;
(C) improved applicable beneficiary access to care; and
(D) reduced spending under this subchapter.
(2) Reports
(A) Interim report
(B) Final report
(f) Consultation
(g) Application of pilot program to continuing care hospitals
(1) In general
(2) Special rulesIn pilot testing the continuing care hospital model under paragraph (1), the following rules shall apply:
(A) Such model shall be tested without the limitation to the conditions selected under subsection (a)(2)(B).
(B) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2)(D), an episode of care shall be defined as the full period that a patient stays in the continuing care hospital plus the first 30 days following discharge from such hospital.
(3) Continuing care hospital defined
(h) Administration
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1866D, as added and amended Pub. L. 111–148, title III, § 3023, title X, § 10308(a), (b)(1), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 399, 941, 942.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395cc-4

§ 1395cc–5. Independence at home medical practice demonstration program
(a) Establishment
(1) In general
(2) Requirement
The demonstration program shall test whether a model described in paragraph (1), which is accountable for providing comprehensive, coordinated, continuous, and accessible care to high-need populations at home and coordinating health care across all treatment settings, results in—
(A) reducing preventable hospitalizations;
(B) preventing hospital readmissions;
(C) reducing emergency room visits;
(D) improving health outcomes commensurate with the beneficiaries’ stage of chronic illness;
(E) improving the efficiency of care, such as by reducing duplicative diagnostic and laboratory tests;
(F) reducing the cost of health care services covered under this subchapter; and
(G) achieving beneficiary and family caregiver satisfaction.
(b) Independence at home medical practice
(1) Independence at home medical practice defined
In this section:
(A) In general
The term “independence at home medical practice” means a legal entity that—
(i) is comprised of an individual physician or nurse practitioner or group of physicians and nurse practitioners that provides care as part of a team that includes physicians, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, and other health and social services staff as appropriate who have experience providing home-based primary care to applicable beneficiaries, make in-home visits, and are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to carry out plans of care that are tailored to the individual beneficiary’s chronic conditions and designed to achieve the results in subsection (a);
(ii) is organized at least in part for the purpose of providing physicians’ services;
(iii) has documented experience in providing home-based primary care services to high-cost chronically ill beneficiaries, as determined appropriate by the Secretary;
(iv) furnishes services to at least 200 applicable beneficiaries (as defined in subsection (d)) during each year of the demonstration program;
(v) has entered into an agreement with the Secretary;
(vi) uses electronic health information systems, remote monitoring, and mobile diagnostic technology; and
(vii) meets such other criteria as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to participate in the demonstration program.
The entity shall report on quality measures (in such form, manner, and frequency as specified by the Secretary, which may be for the group, for providers of services and suppliers, or both) and report to the Secretary (in a form, manner, and frequency as specified by the Secretary) such data as the Secretary determines appropriate to monitor and evaluate the demonstration program.
(B) Physician
(2) Participation of nurse practitioners and physician assistants
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a nurse practitioner or physician assistant from participating in, or leading, a home-based primary care team as part of an independence at home medical practice if—
(A) all the requirements of this section are met;
(B) the nurse practitioner or physician assistant, as the case may be, is acting consistent with State law; and
(C) the nurse practitioner or physician assistant has the medical training or experience to fulfill the nurse practitioner or physician assistant role described in paragraph (1)(A)(i).
(3) Inclusion of providers and practitioners
(4) Quality and performance standards
(c) Payment methodology
(1) Establishment of target spending level
(2) Incentive payments
(d) Applicable beneficiaries
(1) Definition
(A) is entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled for benefits under part B;
(B) is not enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan under part C or a PACE program under section 1395eee of this title;
(C) has 2 or more chronic illnesses, such as congestive heart failure, diabetes, other dementias designated by the Secretary, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s Disease and neurodegenerative diseases, and other diseases and conditions designated by the Secretary which result in high costs under this subchapter;
(D) within the past 12 months has had a nonelective hospital admission;
(E) within the past 12 months has received acute or subacute rehabilitation services;
(F) has 2 or more functional dependencies requiring the assistance of another person (such as bathing, dressing, toileting, walking, or feeding); and
(G) meets such other criteria as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(2) Patient election to participate
(3) Beneficiary access to services
(e) Implementation
(1) Starting date
(2) No physician duplication in demonstration participation
(3) No beneficiary duplication in demonstration participation
(4) Preference
In approving an independence at home medical practice, the Secretary shall give preference to practices that are—
(A) located in high-cost areas of the country;
(B) have experience in furnishing health care services to applicable beneficiaries in the home; and
(C) use electronic medical records, health information technology, and individualized plans of care.
(5) Limitation on number of practices
(6) Waiver
(7) Administration
(f) Evaluation and monitoring
(1) In general
(2) Monitoring applicable beneficiaries
(g) Reports to Congress
(h) Funding
(i) Termination
(1) Mandatory termination
The Secretary shall terminate an agreement with an independence at home medical practice if—
(A) the Secretary estimates or determines that such practice did not achieve savings for the third of 3 consecutive years under the demonstration program; or
(B) such practice fails to meet quality standards during any year of the demonstration program.
(2) Permissive termination
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1866E, formerly § 1866D, as added and renumbered § 1866E, Pub. L. 111–148, title III, § 3024, title X, § 10308(b)(2), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 404, 942; amended Pub. L. 114–39, § 2, July 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 440; Pub. L. 115–123, div. E, title III, § 50301(a), Feb. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 190; Pub. L. 116–260, div. CC, title I, § 105(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2944.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395cc-5

§ 1395cc–6. Opioid use disorder treatment demonstration program
(a) Implementation of 4-year demonstration program
(1) In general
(2) Opioid use disorder treatment servicesFor purposes of this section, the term “opioid use disorder treatment services”—
(A) means, with respect to an applicable beneficiary, services that are furnished for the treatment of opioid use disorders and that utilize drugs approved under section 355 of title 21 for the treatment of opioid use disorders in an outpatient setting; and
(B) includes—
(i) medication-assisted treatment;
(ii) treatment planning;
(iii) psychiatric, psychological, or counseling services (or any combination of such services), as appropriate;
(iv) social support services, as appropriate; and
(v) care management and care coordination services, including coordination with other providers of services and suppliers not on an opioid use disorder care team.
(b) Program design
(1) In generalThe Secretary shall design the Program in such a manner to allow for the evaluation of the extent to which the Program accomplishes the following purposes:
(A) Reduces hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
(B) Increases use of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders.
(C) Improves health outcomes of individuals with opioid use disorders, including by reducing the incidence of infectious diseases (such as hepatitis C and HIV).
(D) Does not increase the total spending on items and services under this subchapter.
(E) Reduces deaths from opioid overdose.
(F) Reduces the utilization of inpatient residential treatment.
(2) Consultation
(c) Participants; opioid use disorder care teams
(1) Participants
(A) DefinitionIn this section, the term “participant” means an entity or individual—
(i) that is otherwise enrolled under this subchapter and that is—(I) a physician (as defined in section 1395x(r)(1) of this title);(II) a group practice comprised of at least one physician described in subclause (I);(III) a hospital outpatient department;(IV) a federally qualified health center (as defined in section 1395x(aa)(4) of this title);(V) a rural health clinic (as defined in section 1395x(aa)(2) of this title);(VI) a community mental health center (as defined in section 1395x(ff)(3)(B) of this title);(VII) a clinic certified as a certified community behavioral health clinic pursuant to section 223 of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014; or(VIII) any other individual or entity specified by the Secretary;
(ii) that applied for and was selected to participate in the Program pursuant to an application and selection process established by the Secretary; and
(iii) that establishes an opioid use disorder care team (as defined in paragraph (2)) through employing or contracting with health care practitioners described in paragraph (2)(A), and uses such team to furnish or arrange for opioid use disorder treatment services in the outpatient setting under the Program.
(B) Preference
(2) Opioid use disorder care teams
(A) In generalFor purposes of this section, the term “opioid use disorder care team” means a team of health care practitioners established by a participant described in paragraph (1)(A) that—
(i) shall include—(I) at least one physician (as defined in section 1395x(r)(1) of this title) furnishing primary care services or addiction treatment services to an applicable beneficiary; and(II) at least one eligible practitioner (as defined in paragraph (3)), who may be a physician who meets the criterion in subclause (I); and
(ii) may include other practitioners licensed under State law to furnish psychiatric, psychological, counseling, and social services to applicable beneficiaries.
(B) Requirements for receipt of payment under programIn order to receive payments under subsection (e), each participant in the Program shall—
(i) furnish opioid use disorder treatment services through opioid use disorder care teams to applicable beneficiaries who agree to receive the services;
(ii) meet minimum criteria, as established by the Secretary; and
(iii) submit to the Secretary, in such form, manner, and frequency as specified by the Secretary, with respect to each applicable beneficiary for whom opioid use disorder treatment services are furnished by the opioid use disorder care team, data and such other information as the Secretary determines appropriate to—(I) monitor and evaluate the Program;(II) determine if minimum criteria are met under clause (ii); and(III) determine the incentive payment under subsection (e).
(3) Eligible practitioner definedFor purposes of this section, the term “eligible practitioner” means a physician or other health care practitioner, such as a nurse practitioner, that—
(A) is enrolled under section 1395cc(j)(1) of this title; and
(B) is authorized to prescribe or dispense narcotic drugs to individuals for maintenance treatment or detoxification treatment.
(d) Participation of applicable beneficiaries
(1) Applicable beneficiary definedIn this section, the term “applicable beneficiary” means an individual who—
(A) is entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A and enrolled for benefits under part B;
(B) is not enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan under part C;
(C) has a current diagnosis for an opioid use disorder; and
(D) meets such other criteria as the Secretary determines appropriate.
Such term shall include an individual who is dually eligible for benefits under this subchapter and subchapter XIX if such individual satisfies the criteria described in subparagraphs (A) through (D).
(2) Voluntary beneficiary participation; limitation on number of beneficiaries
(3) Services
(4) Beneficiary access to services
(e) Payments
(1) Per applicable beneficiary per month care management fee
(A) In general
(B) Payment amountsIn carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary may—
(i) consider payments otherwise payable under this subchapter for opioid use disorder treatment services and the needs of applicable beneficiaries;
(ii) pay a higher per applicable beneficiary per month care management fee for an applicable beneficiary who receives more intensive treatment services from a participant and for whom those services are appropriate based on clinical guidelines for opioid use disorder care;
(iii) pay a higher per applicable beneficiary per month care management fee for the month in which the applicable beneficiary begins treatment with a participant than in subsequent months, to reflect the greater time and costs required for the planning and initiation of treatment, as compared to maintenance of treatment; and
(iv) take into account whether a participant’s opioid use disorder care team refers applicable beneficiaries to other suppliers or providers for any opioid use disorder treatment services.
(C) No duplicate payment
(2) Incentive payments
(A) In general
(B) Criteria
(i) In generalCriteria described in subparagraph (A) may include consideration of the following:(I) Patient engagement and retention in treatment.(II) Evidence-based medication-assisted treatment.(III) Other criteria established by the Secretary.
(ii) Required consultation and considerationIn determining criteria described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall—(I) consult with stakeholders, including clinicians in the primary care community and in the field of addiction medicine; and(II) consider existing clinical guidelines for the treatment of opioid use disorders.
(C) No duplicate payment
(f) Multipayer strategy
(g) Evaluation
(1) In general
(2) ReportsThe Secretary shall submit to Congress—
(A) a report with respect to the intermediate evaluation under paragraph (1) not later than 3 years after the date of the implementation of the Program; and
(B) a report with respect to the final evaluation under paragraph (1) not later than 6 years after such date.
(h) Funding
(1) Administrative funding
(2) Care management fees and incentives
(3) Availability
(i) Waivers
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1866F, as added Pub. L. 115–271, title VI, § 6042, Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 3979; amended Pub. L. 117–215, title I, § 103(b)(4)(C), Dec. 2, 2022, 136 Stat. 2263; Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title I, § 1262(b)(7), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5682.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395cc-6

§ 1395cc–7. Extension of Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative
(a) In general
(1) Extension
(2) Acute Hospital Care at Home waivers and flexibilitiesFor the purposes of paragraph (1), the waivers and flexibilities described in this paragraph are the following waivers and flexibilities that were made available to individual hospitals under the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative of the Secretary during the emergency period described in section 1320b–5(g)(1)(B) of this title:
(A) Subject to paragraph (3)(D), waiver of the requirements to provide 24-hour nursing services on premises and for the immediate availability of a registered nurse under section 482.23(b) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), and the waivers of the physical environment and Life Safety Code requirements under section 482.41 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).
(B) Flexibility to allow a hospital to furnish inpatient services, including routine services, outside the hospital under arrangements, as described in Medicare Program: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems and Quality Reporting Programs; Organ Acquisition; Rural Emergency Hospitals: Payment Policies, Conditions of Participation, Provider Enrollment, Physician Self-Referral; New Service Category for Hospital Outpatient Department Prior Authorization Process; Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating; COVID–19 (87 Fed. Reg. 71748 et seq.).
(C) Waiver of the telehealth requirements under clause (i) 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “clause (iii)”. See References in Text note below.
of section 1395m(m)(4)(C) of this title, as amended by section 4113(a) of the Health Extenders, Improving Access to Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP, and Strengthening Public Health Act of 2022, such that the originating sites described in clause (ii) of such section shall include the home or temporary residence of the individual.
(D) Other waivers and flexibilities that, as of December 29, 2022, were in place for such initiative during such emergency period.
(3) Specified criteriaFor purposes of paragraph (1), the specified criteria for granting such waivers and flexibilities to individual hospitals are:
(A) The hospital shall indicate to the Secretary the criteria it would use to ensure that hospital services be furnished only to an individual who requires an inpatient level of care, and shall require that a physician document in the medical record of each such individual that the individual meets such criteria.
(B) The hospital and any other entities providing services under arrangements with the hospital shall ensure that the standard of care to treat an individual at home is the same as the standard of care to treat such individual as an inpatient of the hospital.
(C) The hospital shall ensure that an individual is only eligible for services under paragraph (1) if the individual is a hospital inpatient or is a patient of the hospital’s emergency department for whom the hospital determines that an inpatient level of care is required (as described in subparagraph (A)).
(D) The hospital shall meet all patient safety standards determined appropriate by the Secretary, in addition to those that otherwise apply to the hospital, except those for which the waivers and flexibilities under this subsection apply.
(E) The hospital shall provide to the Secretary, at a time, form and manner determined by the Secretary, any data and information the Secretary determines necessary to do the following:
(i) Monitor the quality of care furnished, and to the extent practicable, ensure the safety of individuals and analyze costs of such care.
(ii) Undertake the studies described in subsections (b) and (c).
The Secretary may require that such data and information be submitted through a hospital’s cost report, through such survey instruments as the Secretary may develop, through medical record information, or through such other means as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(F) The hospital meets such other requirements and conditions as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(4) Termination
(b) Initial Study and report
(1) In generalThe Secretary shall conduct a study to—
(A) analyze, to the extent practicable, the criteria established by hospitals under the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative of the Secretary to determine which individuals may be furnished services under such initiative; and
(B) analyze and compare, to the extent practicable—
(i) quality of care furnished to individuals with similar conditions and characteristics in the inpatient setting and through the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative, including health outcomes, hospital readmission rates, hospital mortality rates, length of stay, infection rates, and patient experience of care;
(ii) clinical conditions treated and diagnosis-related groups of discharges from the inpatient setting and under the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative;
(iii) costs incurred by furnishing care in the inpatient setting and through the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative;
(iv) the quantity, mix and intensity of such services (such as in-person visits and virtual contacts with patients) furnished in the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative and furnished in the inpatient setting; and
(v) socioeconomic information on beneficiaries treated under the initiative, including racial and ethnic data, income, and whether such beneficiaries are dually eligible for benefits under this subchapter and subchapter XIX.
(2) Report
(3) Funding
(c) Subsequent study and report
(1) In generalNot later than September 30, 2029, the Secretary shall conduct a study to—
(A) analyze, to the extent practicable, the criteria established by hospitals under the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative to determine which individuals may be furnished services under such initiative; and
(B) analyze and compare (both within and between hospitals participating in the initiative, and relative to comparable hospitals that do not participate in the initiative, for relevant parameters such as diagnosis-related groups)—
(i) quality of care furnished to individuals with similar conditions and characteristics in the inpatient setting and through the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative, including health outcomes, hospital readmission rates (including readmissions both within and beyond 30 days post-discharge), hospital mortality rates, length of stay, infection rates, composition of care team (including the types of labor used, such as contracted labor), the ratio of nursing staff, transfers from the hospital to the home, transfers from the home to the hospital (including the timing, frequency, and causes of such transfers), transfers and discharges to post-acute care settings (including the timing, frequency, and causes of such transfers and discharges), and patient and caregiver experience of care;
(ii) clinical conditions treated and diagnosis-related groups of discharges from inpatient settings relative to discharges from the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative;
(iii) costs incurred by the hospital for furnishing care in inpatient settings relative to costs incurred by the hospital for furnishing care through the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative, including costs relating to staffing, equipment, food, prescriptions, and other services, as determined by the Secretary;
(iv) the quantity, mix, and intensity of services (such as in-person visits and virtual contacts with patients and the intensity of such services) furnished in inpatient settings relative to the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative, and, to the extent practicable, the nature and extent of family or caregiver involvement;
(v) socioeconomic information on individuals treated in comparable inpatient settings relative to the initiative, including racial and ethnic data, income, housing, geographic proximity to the brick-and-mortar facility and whether such individuals are dually eligible for benefits under this subchapter and subchapter XIX; and
(vi) the quality of care, outcomes, costs, quantity and intensity of services, and other relevant metrics between individuals who entered into the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative directly from an emergency department compared with individuals who entered into the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative directly from an existing inpatient stay in a hospital.
(2) Selection bias
(3) ReportNot later than September 30, 2029, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall—
(A) submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report on the study conducted under paragraph (1); and
(B) make such report publicly available on a website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
(4) Funding
(d) Implementation
(e) Publicly available information
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1866G, as added Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title IV, § 4140, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5926; amended Pub. L. 118–158, div. C, title II, § 3208, Dec. 21, 2024, 138 Stat. 1766; Pub. L. 119–4, div. B, title II, § 2208, Mar. 15, 2025, 139 Stat. 44; Pub. L. 119–37, div. F, title II, § 6204, Nov. 12, 2025, 139 Stat. 632; Pub. L. 119–75, div. J, title II, § 6210, Feb. 3, 2026, 140 Stat. 650.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395cc-7

§ 1395dd. Examination and treatment for emergency medical conditions and women in labor
(a) Medical screening requirement
(b) Necessary stabilizing treatment for emergency medical conditions and labor
(1) In generalIf any individual (whether or not eligible for benefits under this subchapter) comes to a hospital and the hospital determines that the individual has an emergency medical condition, the hospital must provide either—
(A) within the staff and facilities available at the hospital, for such further medical examination and such treatment as may be required to stabilize the medical condition, or
(B) for transfer of the individual to another medical facility in accordance with subsection (c).
(2) Refusal to consent to treatment
(3) Refusal to consent to transfer
(c) Restricting transfers until individual stabilized
(1) RuleIf an individual at a hospital has an emergency medical condition which has not been stabilized (within the meaning of subsection (e)(3)(B)), the hospital may not transfer the individual unless—
(A)
(i) the individual (or a legally responsible person acting on the individual’s behalf) after being informed of the hospital’s obligations under this section and of the risk of transfer, in writing requests transfer to another medical facility,
(ii) a physician (within the meaning of section 1395x(r)(1) of this title) has signed a certification that 1
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
based upon the information available at the time of transfer, the medical benefits reasonably expected from the provision of appropriate medical treatment at another medical facility outweigh the increased risks to the individual and, in the case of labor, to the unborn child from effecting the transfer, or
(iii) if a physician is not physically present in the emergency department at the time an individual is transferred, a qualified medical person (as defined by the Secretary in regulations) has signed a certification described in clause (ii) after a physician (as defined in section 1395x(r)(1) of this title), in consultation with the person, has made the determination described in such clause, and subsequently countersigns the certification; and
(B) the transfer is an appropriate transfer (within the meaning of paragraph (2)) to that facility.
A certification described in clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (A) shall include a summary of the risks and benefits upon which the certification is based.
(2) Appropriate transferAn appropriate transfer to a medical facility is a transfer—
(A) in which the transferring hospital provides the medical treatment within its capacity which minimizes the risks to the individual’s health and, in the case of a woman in labor, the health of the unborn child;
(B) in which the receiving facility—
(i) has available space and qualified personnel for the treatment of the individual, and
(ii) has agreed to accept transfer of the individual and to provide appropriate medical treatment;
(C) in which the transferring hospital sends to the receiving facility all medical records (or copies thereof), related to the emergency condition for which the individual has presented, available at the time of the transfer, including records related to the individual’s emergency medical condition, observations of signs or symptoms, preliminary diagnosis, treatment provided, results of any tests and the informed written consent or certification (or copy thereof) provided under paragraph (1)(A), and the name and address of any on-call physician (described in subsection (d)(1)(C)) who has refused or failed to appear within a reasonable time to provide necessary stabilizing treatment;
(D) in which the transfer is effected through qualified personnel and transportation equipment, as required including the use of necessary and medically appropriate life support measures during the transfer; and
(E) which meets such other requirements as the Secretary may find necessary in the interest of the health and safety of individuals transferred.
(d) Enforcement
(1) Civil money penalties
(A) A participating hospital that negligently violates a requirement of this section is subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $50,000 (or not more than $25,000 in the case of a hospital with less than 100 beds) for each such violation. The provisions of section 1320a–7a of this title (other than subsections (a) and (b)) shall apply to a civil money penalty under this subparagraph in the same manner as such provisions apply with respect to a penalty or proceeding under section 1320a–7a(a) of this title.
(B) Subject to subparagraph (C), any physician who is responsible for the examination, treatment, or transfer of an individual in a participating hospital, including a physician on-call for the care of such an individual, and who negligently violates a requirement of this section, including a physician who—
(i) signs a certification under subsection (c)(1)(A) that the medical benefits reasonably to be expected from a transfer to another facility outweigh the risks associated with the transfer, if the physician knew or should have known that the benefits did not outweigh the risks, or
(ii) misrepresents an individual’s condition or other information, including a hospital’s obligations under this section,
is subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $50,000 for each such violation and, if the violation is gross and flagrant or is repeated, to exclusion from participation in this subchapter and State health care programs. The provisions of section 1320a–7a of this title (other than the first and second sentences of subsection (a) and subsection (b)) shall apply to a civil money penalty and exclusion under this subparagraph in the same manner as such provisions apply with respect to a penalty, exclusion, or proceeding under section 1320a–7a(a) of this title.
(C) If, after an initial examination, a physician determines that the individual requires the services of a physician listed by the hospital on its list of on-call physicians (required to be maintained under section 1395cc(a)(1)(I) of this title) and notifies the on-call physician and the on-call physician fails or refuses to appear within a reasonable period of time, and the physician orders the transfer of the individual because the physician determines that without the services of the on-call physician the benefits of transfer outweigh the risks of transfer, the physician authorizing the transfer shall not be subject to a penalty under subparagraph (B). However, the previous sentence shall not apply to the hospital or to the on-call physician who failed or refused to appear.
(2) Civil enforcement
(A) Personal harm
(B) Financial loss to other medical facility
(C) Limitations on actions
(3) Consultation with quality improvement organizations
(4) Notice upon closing an investigation
(e) DefinitionsIn this section:
(1) The term “emergency medical condition” means—
(A) a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in—
(i) placing the health of the individual (or, with respect to a pregnant woman, the health of the woman or her unborn child) in serious jeopardy,
(ii) serious impairment to bodily functions, or
(iii) serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part; or
(B) with respect to a pregnant woman who is having contractions—
(i) that there is inadequate time to effect a safe transfer to another hospital before delivery, or
(ii) that transfer may pose a threat to the health or safety of the woman or the unborn child.
(2) The term “participating hospital” means a hospital that has entered into a provider agreement under section 1395cc of this title.
(3)
(A) The term “to stabilize” means, with respect to an emergency medical condition described in paragraph (1)(A), to provide such medical treatment of the condition as may be necessary to assure, within reasonable medical probability, that no material deterioration of the condition is likely to result from or occur during the transfer of the individual from a facility, or, with respect to an emergency medical condition described in paragraph (1)(B), to deliver (including the placenta).
(B) The term “stabilized” means, with respect to an emergency medical condition described in paragraph (1)(A), that no material deterioration of the condition is likely, within reasonable medical probability, to result from or occur during the transfer of the individual from a facility, or, with respect to an emergency medical condition described in paragraph (1)(B), that the woman has delivered (including the placenta).
(4) The term “transfer” means the movement (including the discharge) of an individual outside a hospital’s facilities at the direction of any person employed by (or affiliated or associated, directly or indirectly, with) the hospital, but does not include such a movement of an individual who (A) has been declared dead, or (B) leaves the facility without the permission of any such person.
(5) The term “hospital” includes a critical access hospital (as defined in section 1395x(mm)(1) of this title) and a rural emergency hospital (as defined in section 1395x(kkk)(2) of this title).
(f) Preemption
(g) Nondiscrimination
(h) No delay in examination or treatment
(i) Whistleblower protections
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1867, as added Pub. L. 99–272, title IX, § 9121(b), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 164; amended Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, § 9307(c)(4), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1996; Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1895(b)(4), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2933; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, § 4009(a)(1), formerly § 4009(a)(1), (2), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–56, 1330–57; Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, § 411(b)(8)(A)(i), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 772; Pub. L. 100–485, title VI, § 608(d)(18)(E), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2419; Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, §§ 6003(g)(3)(D)(xiv), 6211(a)–(h), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2154, 2245–2248; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, §§ 4008(b)(1)–(3)(A), 4207(a)(1)(A), (2), (3), (k)(3), formerly 4027(a)(1)(A), (2), (3), (k)(3), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–44, 1388–117, 1388–124, renumbered and amended Pub. L. 103–432, title I, § 160(d)(4), (5)(A), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4444; Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4201(c)(1), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 373; Pub. L. 108–173, title VII, § 736(a)(14), title IX, § 944(b), (c)(1), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2355, 2423; Pub. L. 112–40, title II, § 261(a)(3)(A), (E), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 423; Pub. L. 116–260, div. CC, title I, § 125(b)(2)(B), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2966.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395dd

§ 1395ee. Practicing Physicians Advisory Council; Council for Technology and Innovation
(a) Repealed. Pub. L. 111–148, title III, § 3134(b)(2), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 435
(b) Council for Technology and Innovation
(1) Establishment
(2) Composition
(3) Duties
(4) Executive Coordinator for Technology and Innovation
(c) Physician-focused payment models
(1) Technical Advisory Committee
(A) Establishment
(B) Membership
(i) Number and appointment
(ii) Qualifications
(iii) Prohibition on Federal employment
(iv) Ethics disclosure
(v) Date of initial appointments
(C) Term; vacancies
(i) Term
(ii) Vacancies
(D) Duties
(E) Compensation of members
(i) In general
(ii) Travel expenses
(F) Operational and technical support
(i) In general
(ii) Funding
(G) Application
(2) Criteria and process for submission and review of physician-focused payment models
(A) Criteria for assessing physician-focused payment models
(i) Rulemaking
(ii) MedPAC submission of comments
(iii) Updating
(B) Stakeholder submission of physician-focused payment models
(C) Committee review of models submittedThe Committee, on a periodic basis—
(i) shall review models submitted under subparagraph (B);
(ii) may provide individuals and stakeholder entities who submitted such models with—(I) initial feedback on such models regarding the extent to which such models meet the criteria described in subparagraph (A); and(II) an explanation of the basis for the feedback provided under subclause (I); and
(iii) shall prepare comments and recommendations regarding whether such models meet the criteria described in subparagraph (A) and submit such comments and recommendations to the Secretary.
(D) Secretary review and response
(3) Rule of construction
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1868, as added Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, § 4112, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–64; amended Pub. L. 108–173, title IX, § 942(a), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2420; Pub. L. 111–148, title III, § 3134(b)(2), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 435; Pub. L. 114–10, title I, § 101(e)(1), Apr. 16, 2015, 129 Stat. 115; Pub. L. 115–123, div. E, title X, § 51003(b), Feb. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 295; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(255), (c)(42), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4334, 4359.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395ee

§ 1395ff. Determinations; appeals
(a) Initial determinations
(1) Promulgations of regulationsThe Secretary shall promulgate regulations and make initial determinations with respect to benefits under part A or part B in accordance with those regulations for the following:
(A) The initial determination of whether an individual is entitled to benefits under such parts.
(B) The initial determination of the amount of benefits available to the individual under such parts.
(C) Any other initial determination with respect to a claim for benefits under such parts, including an initial determination by the Secretary that payment may not be made, or may no longer be made, for an item or service under such parts, an initial determination made by a quality improvement organization under section 1320c–3(a)(2) of this title, and an initial determination made by an entity pursuant to a contract (other than a contract under section 1395w–22 of this title) with the Secretary to administer provisions of this subchapter or subchapter XI.
(2) Deadlines for making initial determinations
(A) In general
(B) Clean claims
(3) Redeterminations
(A) In general
(B) Limitations
(i) Appeal rights
(ii) Decisionmaker
(C) Deadlines
(i) Filing for redetermination
(ii) Concluding redeterminations
(D) Construction
(4) Requirements of notice of determinationsWith respect to an initial determination insofar as it results in a denial of a claim for benefits—
(A) the written notice on the determination shall include—
(i) the reasons for the determination, including whether a local medical review policy or a local coverage determination was used;
(ii) the procedures for obtaining additional information concerning the determination, including the information described in subparagraph (B); and
(iii) notification of the right to seek a redetermination or otherwise appeal the determination and instructions on how to initiate such a redetermination under this section;
(B) such written notice shall be provided in printed form and written in a manner calculated to be understood by the individual entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B, or both; and
(C) the individual provided such written notice may obtain, upon request, information on the specific provision of the policy, manual, or regulation used in making the redetermination.
(5) Requirements of notice of redeterminationsWith respect to a redetermination insofar as it results in a denial of a claim for benefits—
(A) the written notice on the redetermination shall include—
(i) the specific reasons for the redetermination;
(ii) as appropriate, a summary of the clinical or scientific evidence used in making the redetermination;
(iii) a description of the procedures for obtaining additional information concerning the redetermination; and
(iv) notification of the right to appeal the redetermination and instructions on how to initiate such an appeal under this section;
(B) such written notice shall be provided in printed form and written in a manner calculated to be understood by the individual entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B, or both; and
(C) the individual provided such written notice may obtain, upon request, information on the specific provision of the policy, manual, or regulation used in making the redetermination.
(b) Appeal rights
(1) In general
(A) Reconsideration of initial determination
(B) Representation by provider or supplier
(i) In general
(ii) Mandatory waiver of right to payment from beneficiary
(iii) Prohibition on payment for representation
(iv) Requirements for representatives of a beneficiary
(C) Succession of rights in cases of assignment
(D) Time limits for filing appeals
(i) Reconsiderations
(ii) Hearings conducted by the Secretary
(E) Amounts in controversy
(i) In general
(ii) Aggregation of claimsIn determining the amount in controversy, the Secretary, under regulations, shall allow two or more appeals to be aggregated if the appeals involve—(I) the delivery of similar or related services to the same individual by one or more providers of services or suppliers, or(II) common issues of law and fact arising from services furnished to two or more individuals by one or more providers of services or suppliers.
(iii) Adjustment of dollar amounts
(F) Expedited proceedings
(i) Expedited determinationIn the case of an individual who has received notice from a provider of services that such provider plans—(I) to terminate services provided to an individual and a physician certifies that failure to continue the provision of such services is likely to place the individual’s health at significant risk, or(II) to discharge the individual from the provider of services,
 the individual may request, in writing or orally, an expedited determination or an expedited reconsideration of an initial determination made under subsection (a)(1), as the case may be, and the Secretary shall provide such expedited determination or expedited reconsideration.
(ii) Reference to expedited access to judicial review
(G) Reopening and revision of determinations
(2) Expedited access to judicial review
(A) In general
(B) Prompt determinations
(C) Access to judicial review
(i) In generalIf the appropriate review entity—(I) determines that there are no material issues of fact in dispute and that the only issues to be adjudicated are ones of law or regulation that the Departmental Appeals Board does not have authority to decide; or(II) fails to make such determination within the period provided under subparagraph (B),
 then the appellant may bring a civil action as described in this subparagraph.
(ii) Deadline for filingSuch action shall be filed, in the case described in—(I) clause (i)(I), within 60 days of the date of the determination described in such clause; or clause (i)(II), within 60 days of the end of the period provided under subparagraph (B) for the determination.
(iii) Venue
(iv) Interest on any amounts in controversy
(D) Review entity defined
(3) Requiring full and early presentation of evidence by providers
(c) Conduct of reconsiderations by independent contractors
(1) In general
(2) Qualified independent contractor
(3) RequirementsAny qualified independent contractor entering into a contract with the Secretary under this subsection shall meet all of the following requirements:
(A) In general
(B) Reconsiderations
(i) In general
(ii) Effect of national and local coverage determinations(I) National coverage determinations(II) Local coverage determinations(III) Absence of national or local coverage determination
(C) Deadlines for decisions
(i) Reconsiderations
(ii) Consequences of failure to meet deadline
(iii) Expedited reconsiderationsThe qualified independent contractor shall perform an expedited reconsideration under subsection (b)(1)(F) as follows:(I) Deadline for decision(II) Consultation with beneficiary(III) Special rule for hospital discharges
(iv) Extension
(D) Qualifications for reviewers
(E) Explanation of decision
(F) Notice requirements
(G) Dissemination of decisions on reconsiderations
(H) Ensuring consistency in decisions
(I) Data collection
(i) In general
(ii) Type of data collectedEach qualified independent contractor shall keep accurate records of each decision made, consistent with standards established by the Secretary for such purpose. Such records shall be maintained in an electronic database in a manner that provides for identification of the following:(I) Specific claims that give rise to appeals.(II) Situations suggesting the need for increased education for providers of services, physicians, or suppliers.(III) Situations suggesting the need for changes in national or local coverage determination.(IV) Situations suggesting the need for changes in local coverage determinations.
(iii) Annual reporting
(J) Hearings by the Secretary
(K) Independence requirements
(i) In generalSubject to clause (ii), a qualified independent contractor shall not conduct any activities in a case unless the entity—(I) is not a related party (as defined in subsection (g)(5));(II) does not have a material familial, financial, or professional relationship with such a party in relation to such case; and(III) does not otherwise have a conflict of interest with such a party.
(ii) Exception for reasonable compensation
(iii) Limitations on entity compensation
(4) Number of qualified independent contractors
(5) Limitation on qualified independent contractor liability
(d) Deadlines for hearings by the Secretary; notice
(1) Hearing by administrative law judge
(A) In general
(B) Waiver of deadline by party seeking hearing
(2) Departmental Appeals Board review
(A) In general
(B) DAB hearing procedure
(3) Consequences of failure to meet deadlines
(A) Hearing by administrative law judge
(B) Departmental Appeals Board review
(4) NoticeNotice of the decision of an administrative law judge shall be in writing in a manner calculated to be understood by the individual entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B, or both, and shall include—
(A) the specific reasons for the determination (including, to the extent appropriate, a summary of the clinical or scientific evidence used in making the determination);
(B) the procedures for obtaining additional information concerning the decision; and
(C) notification of the right to appeal the decision and instructions on how to initiate such an appeal under this section.
(e) Administrative provisions
(1) Limitation on review of certain regulations
(2) Outreach
(3) Continuing education requirement for qualified independent contractors and administrative law judges
(4) Reports
(A) Annual report to Congress
(B) Survey
(f) Review of coverage determinations
(1) National coverage determinations
(A) In generalReview of any national coverage determination shall be subject to the following limitations:
(i) Such a determination shall not be reviewed by any administrative law judge.
(ii) Such a determination shall not be held unlawful or set aside on the ground that a requirement of section 553 of title 5 or section 1395hh(b) of this title, relating to publication in the Federal Register or opportunity for public comment, was not satisfied.
(iii) Upon the filing of a complaint by an aggrieved party, such a determination shall be reviewed by the Departmental Appeals Board of the Department of Health and Human Services. In conducting such a review, the Departmental Appeals Board—(I) shall review the record and shall permit discovery and the taking of evidence to evaluate the reasonableness of the determination, if the Board determines that the record is incomplete or lacks adequate information to support the validity of the determination;(II) may, as appropriate, consult with appropriate scientific and clinical experts; and(III) shall defer only to the reasonable findings of fact, reasonable interpretations of law, and reasonable applications of fact to law by the Secretary.
(iv) The Secretary shall implement a decision of the Departmental Appeals Board within 30 days of receipt of such decision.
(v) A decision of the Departmental Appeals Board constitutes a final agency action and is subject to judicial review.
(B) Definition of national coverage determination
(2) Local coverage determination
(A) In generalReview of any local coverage determination shall be subject to the following limitations:
(i) Upon the filing of a complaint by an aggrieved party, such a determination shall be reviewed by an administrative law judge. The administrative law judge—(I) shall review the record and shall permit discovery and the taking of evidence to evaluate the reasonableness of the determination, if the administrative law judge determines that the record is incomplete or lacks adequate information to support the validity of the determination;(II) may, as appropriate, consult with appropriate scientific and clinical experts; and(III) shall defer only to the reasonable findings of fact, reasonable interpretations of law, and reasonable applications of fact to law by the Secretary.
(ii) Upon the filing of a complaint by an aggrieved party, a decision of an administrative law judge under clause (i) shall be reviewed by the Departmental Appeals Board of the Department of Health and Human Services.
(iii) The Secretary shall implement a decision of the administrative law judge or the Departmental Appeals Board within 30 days of receipt of such decision.
(iv) A decision of the Departmental Appeals Board constitutes a final agency action and is subject to judicial review.
(B) Definition of local coverage determination
(C) Local coverage determinations for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests
(3) No material issues of fact in disputeIn the case of a determination that may otherwise be subject to review under paragraph (1)(A)(iii) or paragraph (2)(A)(i), where the moving party alleges that—
(A) there are no material issues of fact in dispute, and
(B) the only issue of law is the constitutionality of a provision of this subchapter, or that a regulation, determination, or ruling by the Secretary is invalid,
the moving party may seek review by a court of competent jurisdiction without filing a complaint under such paragraph and without otherwise exhausting other administrative remedies.
(4) Pending national coverage determinations
(A) In generalIn the event the Secretary has not issued a national coverage or noncoverage determination with respect to a particular type or class of items or services, an aggrieved person (as described in paragraph (5)) may submit to the Secretary a request to make such a determination with respect to such items or services. By not later than the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date the Secretary receives such a request (notwithstanding the receipt by the Secretary of new evidence (if any) during such 90-day period), the Secretary shall take one of the following actions:
(i) Issue a national coverage determination, with or without limitations.
(ii) Issue a national noncoverage determination.
(iii) Issue a determination that no national coverage or noncoverage determination is appropriate as of the end of such 90-day period with respect to national coverage of such items or services.
(iv) Issue a notice that states that the Secretary has not completed a review of the request for a national coverage determination and that includes an identification of the remaining steps in the Secretary’s review process and a deadline by which the Secretary will complete the review and take an action described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii).
(B) Deemed action by the Secretary
(C) Explanation of determination
(5) Standing
(6) Publication on the Internet of decisions of hearings of the Secretary
(7) Annual report on national coverage determinations
(A) In general
(B) Publication of reports on the Internet
(8) Construction
(g) Qualifications of reviewers
(1) In generalIn reviewing determinations under this section, a qualified independent contractor shall assure that—
(A) each individual conducting a review shall meet the qualifications of paragraph (2);
(B) compensation provided by the contractor to each such reviewer is consistent with paragraph (3); and
(C) in the case of a review by a panel described in subsection (c)(3)(B) composed of physicians or other health care professionals (each in this subsection referred to as a “reviewing professional”), a reviewing professional meets the qualifications described in paragraph (4) and, where a claim is regarding the furnishing of treatment by a physician (allopathic or osteopathic) or the provision of items or services by a physician (allopathic or osteopathic), a reviewing professional shall be a physician (allopathic or osteopathic).
(2) Independence
(A) In generalSubject to subparagraph (B), each individual conducting a review in a case shall—
(i) not be a related party (as defined in paragraph (5));
(ii) not have a material familial, financial, or professional relationship with such a party in the case under review; and
(iii) not otherwise have a conflict of interest with such a party.
(B) ExceptionNothing in subparagraph (A) shall be construed to—
(i) prohibit an individual, solely on the basis of a participation agreement with a fiscal intermediary, carrier, or other contractor, from serving as a reviewing professional if—(I) the individual is not involved in the provision of items or services in the case under review;(II) the fact of such an agreement is disclosed to the Secretary and the individual entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B, or both, or such individual’s authorized representative, and neither party objects; and(III) the individual is not an employee of the intermediary, carrier, or contractor and does not provide services exclusively or primarily to or on behalf of such intermediary, carrier, or contractor;
(ii) prohibit an individual who has staff privileges at the institution where the treatment involved takes place from serving as a reviewer merely on the basis of having such staff privileges if the existence of such privileges is disclosed to the Secretary and such individual (or authorized representative), and neither party objects; or
(iii) prohibit receipt of compensation by a reviewing professional from a contractor if the compensation is provided consistent with paragraph (3).
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “participation agreement” means an agreement relating to the provision of health care services by the individual and does not include the provision of services as a reviewer under this subsection.
(3) Limitations on reviewer compensation
(4) Licensure and expertiseEach reviewing professional shall be—
(A) a physician (allopathic or osteopathic) who is appropriately credentialed or licensed in one or more States to deliver health care services and has medical expertise in the field of practice that is appropriate for the items or services at issue; or
(B) a health care professional who is legally authorized in one or more States (in accordance with State law or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) to furnish the health care items or services at issue and has medical expertise in the field of practice that is appropriate for such items or services.
(5) Related party definedFor purposes of this section, the term “related party” means, with respect to a case under this subchapter involving a specific individual entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B, or both, any of the following:
(A) The Secretary, the medicare administrative contractor involved, or any fiduciary, officer, director, or employee of the Department of Health and Human Services, or of such contractor.
(B) The individual (or authorized representative).
(C) The health care professional that provides the items or services involved in the case.
(D) The institution at which the items or services (or treatment) involved in the case are provided.
(E) The manufacturer of any drug or other item that is included in the items or services involved in the case.
(F) Any other party determined under any regulations to have a substantial interest in the case involved.
(h) Prior determination process for certain items and services
(1) Establishment of process
(A) In general
(B) Eligible requesterFor purposes of this subsection, each of the following shall be an eligible requester:
(i) A participating physician, but only with respect to physicians’ services to be furnished to an individual who is entitled to benefits under this subchapter and who has consented to the physician making the request under this subsection for those physicians’ services.
(ii) An individual entitled to benefits under this subchapter, but only with respect to a physicians’ service for which the individual receives, from a physician, an advance beneficiary notice under section 1395pp(a) of this title.
(2) Secretarial flexibility
(3) Request for prior determination
(A) In general
(B) Accompanying documentation
(4) Response to request
(A) In generalUnder such process, the contractor shall provide the eligible requester with written notice of a determination as to whether—
(i) the physicians’ service is so covered;
(ii) the physicians’ service is not so covered; or
(iii) the contractor lacks sufficient information to make a coverage determination with respect to the physicians’ service.
(B) Contents of notice for certain determinations
(i) Noncoverage
(ii) Insufficient information
(C) Deadline to respond
(D) Informing beneficiary in case of physician request
(5) Binding nature of positive determination
(6) Limitation on further review
(A) In general
(B) Decision not to seek prior determination or negative determination does not impact right to obtain services, seek reimbursement, or appeal rightsNothing in this subsection shall be construed as affecting the right of an individual who—
(i) decides not to seek a prior determination under this subsection with respect to physicians’ services; or
(ii) seeks such a determination and has received a determination described in paragraph (4)(A)(ii),
from receiving (and submitting a claim for) such physicians’ services and from obtaining administrative or judicial review respecting such claim under the other applicable provisions of this section. Failure to seek a prior determination under this subsection with respect to physicians’ service shall not be taken into account in such administrative or judicial review.
(C) No prior determination after receipt of services
(i) Mediation process for local coverage determinations
(1) Establishment of process
(2) Responsibility of mediator
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1869, as added Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 102(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 330; amended Pub. L. 92–603, title II, § 299O(a), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1464; Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, § 2354(b)(35), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1102; Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, §§ 9313(a)(1), (b)(1), 9341(a)(1), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 2002, 2037; Pub. L. 100–93, § 8(e), Aug. 18, 1987, 101 Stat. 694; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §§ 4082(a), (b), 4085(i)(18), (19), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–128, 1330–133; Pub. L. 103–296, title I, § 108(c)(5), Aug. 15, 1994, 108 Stat. 1485; Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4611(c), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 473; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title V, §§ 521(a), 522(a)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–534, 2763A–543; Pub. L. 108–173, title IX, §§ 931(d), 932(a), 933(a)(1), (b)–(d)(3), 938(a), 940(a), (b)(1), 940A(a), 948(b)(1), (c), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2399, 2402–2406, 2413, 2416, 2417, 2426; Pub. L. 112–40, title II, § 261(a)(3)(A), (F), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 423; Pub. L. 113–93, title II, § 216(b)(2), Apr. 1, 2014, 128 Stat. 1060.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395ff

§ 1395gg. Overpayment on behalf of individuals and settlement of claims for benefits on behalf of deceased individuals
(a) Payments to providers of services or other person regarded as payment to individuals
(b) Incorrect payments on behalf of individuals; payment adjustment
Where—
(1) more than the correct amount is paid under this subchapter to a provider of services or other person for items or services furnished an individual and the Secretary determines (A) that, within such period as he may specify, the excess over the correct amount cannot be recouped from such provider of services or other person, or (B) that such provider of services or other person was without fault with respect to the payment of such excess over the correct amount, or
(2) any payment has been made under section 1395f(e) of this title to a provider of services or other person for items or services furnished an individual,
proper adjustments shall be made, under regulations prescribed (after consultation with the Railroad Retirement Board) by the Secretary, by decreasing subsequent payments—
(3) to which such individual is entitled under subchapter II of this chapter or under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 [45 U.S.C. 231 et seq.], as the case may be, or
(4) if such individual dies before such adjustment has been completed, to which any other individual is entitled under subchapter II of this chapter or under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 [45 U.S.C. 231 et seq.], as the case may be, with respect to the wages and self-employment income or the compensation constituting the basis of the benefits of such deceased individual under subchapter II of this chapter.
As soon as practicable after any adjustment under paragraph (3) or (4) is determined to be necessary, the Secretary, for purposes of this section, section 1395i(g) of this title, and section 1395t(f) of this title, shall certify (to the Railroad Retirement Board if the adjustment is to be made by decreasing subsequent payments under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 [45 U.S.C. 231 et seq.]) the amount of the overpayment as to which the adjustment is to be made. For purposes of clause (B) of paragraph (1), such provider of services or such other person shall, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, be deemed to be without fault if the Secretary’s determination that more than such correct amount was paid was made subsequent to the fifth year following the year in which notice was sent to such individual that such amount had been paid; except that the Secretary may reduce such five-year period to not less than one year if he finds such reduction is consistent with the objectives of this subchapter.
(c) Exception to subsection (b) payment adjustment
(d) Liability of certifying or disbursing officer for failure to recoup
(e) Settlement of claims for benefits under this subchapter on behalf of deceased individuals
If an individual, who received services for which payment may be made to such individual under this subchapter, dies, and payment for such services was made (other than under this subchapter), and the individual died before any payment due him under this subchapter with respect to such services was completed, payment of the amount due (including the amount of any unnegotiated checks) shall be made—
(1) if the payment for such services was made (before or after such individual’s death) by a person other than the deceased individual, to the person or persons determined by the Secretary under regulations to have paid for such services, or if the payment for such services was made by the deceased individual before his death, to the legal representative of the estate of such deceased individual, if any;
(2) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1), to the person, if any, who is determined by the Secretary to be the surviving spouse of the deceased individual and who was either living in the same household with the deceased at the time of his death or was, for the month in which the deceased individual died, entitled to a monthly benefit on the basis of the same wages and self-employment income as was the deceased individual;
(3) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1) or (2), or if the person who meets such requirements dies before the payment due him under this subchapter is completed, to the child or children, if any, of the deceased individual who were, for the month in which the deceased individual died, entitled to monthly benefits on the basis of the same wages and self-employment income as was the deceased individual (and, in case there is more than one such child, in equal parts to each such child);
(4) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1), (2), or (3), or if each person who meets such requirements dies before the payment due him under this subchapter is completed, to the parent or parents, if any, of the deceased individual who were, for the month in which the deceased individual died, entitled to monthly benefits on the basis of the same wages and self-employment income as was the deceased individual (and, in case there is more than one such parent, in equal parts to each such parent);
(5) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4), or if each person who meets such requirements dies before the payment due him under this subchapter is completed, to the person, if any, determined by the Secretary to be the surviving spouse of the deceased individual;
(6) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5), or if each person who meets such requirements dies before the payment due him under this subchapter is completed, to the person or persons, if any, determined by the Secretary to be the child or children of the deceased individual (and, in case there is more than one such child, in equal parts to each such child);
(7) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6), or if each person who meets such requirements dies before the payment due him under this subchapter is completed, to the parent or parents, if any, of the deceased individual (and, in case there is more than one such parent, in equal parts to each such parent); or
(8) if there is no person who meets the requirements of paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), or (7), or if each person who meets such requirements dies before the payment due him under this subchapter is completed, to the legal representatives of the estate of the deceased individual, if any.
(f) Settlement of claims for section 1395k benefits on behalf of deceased individuals
If an individual who received medical and other health services for which payment may be made under section 1395k(a)(1) of this title dies, and no assignment of the right to payment for such services was made by such individual before his death, and payment for such services has not been made—
(1) if the person or persons who furnished the services agree to the terms of assignment specified in section 1395u(b)(3)(B)(ii) of this title with respect to the services, payment for such services shall be made to such person or persons, and
(2) if the person or persons who furnished the services do not agree to the terms of assignment specified in section 1395u(b)(3)(B)(ii) of this title with respect to the services, payment for such services shall be made on the basis of an itemized bill to the person who has agreed to assume the legal obligation to make payment for such services and files a request for payment (with such accompanying evidence of such legal obligation as may be required in regulations),
but only in such amount and subject to such conditions as would be applicable if the individual who received the services had not died.
(g) Refund of premiums for deceased individuals
(h) Appeals by providers of services or suppliers
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1870, as added Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 102(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 331; amended Pub. L. 90–248, title I, § 154(b), (c), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 862; Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §§ 261(a), 266, 281(a), (b), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1448, 1450, 1454, 1455; Pub. L. 93–445, title III, § 309, Oct. 16, 1974, 88 Stat. 1358; Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, § 954(a), Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2647; Pub. L. 97–248, title I, § 128(d)(1), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 367; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §§ 4039(h)(7), 4096(a)(2), Dec, 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–139, as amended Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, § 411(e)(3), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 776; Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, § 411(j)(4)(B), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 791; Pub. L. 108–173, title IX, § 939(a), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2416; Pub. L. 112–240, title VI, § 638(a), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2357.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395gg

§ 1395hh. Regulations
(a) Authority to prescribe regulations; ineffectiveness of substantive rules not promulgated by regulation
(1) The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the administration of the insurance programs under this subchapter. When used in this subchapter, the term “regulations” means, unless the context otherwise requires, regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
(2) No rule, requirement, or other statement of policy (other than a national coverage determination) that establishes or changes a substantive legal standard governing the scope of benefits, the payment for services, or the eligibility of individuals, entities, or organizations to furnish or receive services or benefits under this subchapter shall take effect unless it is promulgated by the Secretary by regulation under paragraph (1).
(3)
(A) The Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall establish and publish a regular timeline for the publication of final regulations based on the previous publication of a proposed regulation or an interim final regulation.
(B) Such timeline may vary among different regulations based on differences in the complexity of the regulation, the number and scope of comments received, and other relevant factors, but shall not be longer than 3 years except under exceptional circumstances. If the Secretary intends to vary such timeline with respect to the publication of a final regulation, the Secretary shall cause to have published in the Federal Register notice of the different timeline by not later than the timeline previously established with respect to such regulation. Such notice shall include a brief explanation of the justification for such variation.
(C) In the case of interim final regulations, upon the expiration of the regular timeline established under this paragraph for the publication of a final regulation after opportunity for public comment, the interim final regulation shall not continue in effect unless the Secretary publishes (at the end of the regular timeline and, if applicable, at the end of each succeeding 1-year period) a notice of continuation of the regulation that includes an explanation of why the regular timeline (and any subsequent 1-year extension) was not complied with. If such a notice is published, the regular timeline (or such timeline as previously extended under this paragraph) for publication of the final regulation shall be treated as having been extended for 1 additional year.
(D) The Secretary shall annually submit to Congress a report that describes the instances in which the Secretary failed to publish a final regulation within the applicable regular timeline under this paragraph and that provides an explanation for such failures.
(4) If the Secretary publishes a final regulation that includes a provision that is not a logical outgrowth of a previously published notice of proposed rulemaking or interim final rule, such provision shall be treated as a proposed regulation and shall not take effect until there is the further opportunity for public comment and a publication of the provision again as a final regulation.
(b) Notice of proposed regulations; public comment
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), before issuing in final form any regulation under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide for notice of the proposed regulation in the Federal Register and a period of not less than 60 days for public comment thereon.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply where—
(A) a statute specifically permits a regulation to be issued in interim final form or otherwise with a shorter period for public comment,
(B) a statute establishes a specific deadline for the implementation of a provision and the deadline is less than 150 days after the date of the enactment of the statute in which the deadline is contained, or
(C) subsection (b) of section 553 of title 5 does not apply pursuant to subparagraph (B) of such subsection.
(c) Publication of certain rules; public inspection; changes in data collection and retrieval
(1) The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register, not less frequently than every 3 months, a list of all manual instructions, interpretative rules, statements of policy, and guidelines of general applicability which—
(A) are promulgated to carry out this subchapter, but
(B) are not published pursuant to subsection (a)(1) and have not been previously published in a list under this subsection.
(2) Effective June 1, 1988, each fiscal intermediary and carrier administering claims for extended care, post-hospital extended care, home health care, and durable medical equipment benefits under this subchapter shall make available to the public all interpretative materials, guidelines, and clarifications of policies which relate to payments for such benefits.
(3) The Secretary shall to the extent feasible make such changes in automated data collection and retrieval by the Secretary and fiscal intermediaries with agreements under section 1395h of this title as are necessary to make easily accessible for the Secretary and other appropriate parties a data base which fairly and accurately reflects the provision of extended care, post-hospital extended care and home health care benefits pursuant to this subchapter, including such categories as benefit denials, results of appeals, and other relevant factors, and selectable by such categories and by fiscal intermediary, service provider, and region.
(e)1
1 So in original. No subsec. (d) has been enacted.
Retroactivity of substantive changes; reliance upon written guidance
(1)
(A) A substantive change in regulations, manual instructions, interpretative rules, statements of policy, or guidelines of general applicability under this subchapter shall not be applied (by extrapolation or otherwise) retroactively to items and services furnished before the effective date of the change, unless the Secretary determines that—
(i) such retroactive application is necessary to comply with statutory requirements; or
(ii) failure to apply the change retroactively would be contrary to the public interest.
(B)
(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), a substantive change referred to in subparagraph (A) shall not become effective before the end of the 30-day period that begins on the date that the Secretary has issued or published, as the case may be, the substantive change.
(ii) The Secretary may provide for such a substantive change to take effect on a date that precedes the end of the 30-day period under clause (i) if the Secretary finds that waiver of such 30-day period is necessary to comply with statutory requirements or that the application of such 30-day period is contrary to the public interest. If the Secretary provides for an earlier effective date pursuant to this clause, the Secretary shall include in the issuance or publication of the substantive change a finding described in the first sentence, and a brief statement of the reasons for such finding.
(C) No action shall be taken against a provider of services or supplier with respect to noncompliance with such a substantive change for items and services furnished before the effective date of such a change.
(2)
(A) If—
(i) a provider of services or supplier follows the written guidance (which may be transmitted electronically) provided by the Secretary or by a medicare contractor (as defined in section 1395zz(g) of this title) acting within the scope of the contractor’s contract authority, with respect to the furnishing of items or services and submission of a claim for benefits for such items or services with respect to such provider or supplier;
(ii) the Secretary determines that the provider of services or supplier has accurately presented the circumstances relating to such items, services, and claim to the contractor in writing; and
(iii) the guidance was in error;
the provider of services or supplier shall not be subject to any penalty or interest under this subchapter or the provisions of subchapter XI insofar as they relate to this subchapter (including interest under a repayment plan under section 1395ddd of this title or otherwise) relating to the provision of such items or service or such claim if the provider of services or supplier reasonably relied on such guidance.
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed as preventing the recoupment or repayment (without any additional penalty) relating to an overpayment insofar as the overpayment was solely the result of a clerical or technical operational error.
(f) Report on areas of inconsistency or conflict
(1) Not later than 2 years after December 8, 2003, and every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report with respect to the administration of this subchapter and areas of inconsistency or conflict among the various provisions under law and regulation.
(2) In preparing a report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall collect—
(A) information from individuals entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B, or both, providers of services, and suppliers and from the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman with respect to such areas of inconsistency and conflict; and
(B) information from medicare contractors that tracks the nature of written and telephone inquiries.
(3) A report under paragraph (1) shall include a description of efforts by the Secretary to reduce such inconsistency or conflicts, and recommendations for legislation or administrative action that the Secretary determines appropriate to further reduce such inconsistency or conflicts.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1871, as added Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 102(a) July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 331; amended Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, § 9321(e)(1), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 2017; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, § 4035(b), (c), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–78; Pub. L. 108–173, title IX, §§ 902(a)(1), (b)(1), 903(a)(1), (b)(1), (c)(1), 904(b), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2375–2377.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395hh

§ 1395ii. Application of certain provisions of sub­chapter II

The provisions of sections 406 and 416(j) of this title, and of subsections (a), (d), (e), (h), (i), (j), (k), and (l) of section 405 of this title, shall also apply with respect to this subchapter to the same extent as they are applicable with respect to subchapter II, except that, in applying such provisions with respect to this subchapter, any reference therein to the Commissioner of Social Security or the Social Security Administration shall be considered a reference to the Secretary or the Department of Health and Human Services, respectively.

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1872, as added Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 102(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 332; amended Pub. L. 92–603, title II, § 242(a), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1419; Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, § 2354(b)(36), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1102; Pub. L. 103–296, title I, § 108(c)(4), Aug. 15, 1994, 108 Stat. 1485.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395ii

§ 1395jj. Designation of organization or publication by name

Designation in this subchapter, by name, of any nongovernmental organization or publication shall not be affected by change of name of such organization or publication, and shall apply to any successor organization or publication which the Secretary finds serves the purpose for which such designation is made.

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1873, as added Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 102(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 332.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395jj

§ 1395kk. Administration of insurance programs
(a) Functions of Secretary; performance directly or by contract
(b) Contracts to secure special data, actuarial information, etc.
(c) Oaths and affirmations
(d) Inclusion of Medicare provider and supplier payments in Federal Payment Levy Program
(1) In generalThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall take all necessary steps to participate in the Federal Payment Levy Program under section 6331(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as soon as possible and shall ensure that—
(A) at least 50 percent of all payments under parts A and B are processed through such program beginning within 1 year after July 15, 2008; 1
1 See References in Text note below.
(B) at least 75 percent of all payments under parts A and B are processed through such program beginning within 2 years after July 15, 2008; and
(C) all payments under parts A and B are processed through such program beginning not later than September 30, 2011.
(2) Assistance
(e) Availability of data
(1) In general
(2) Qualified entitiesFor purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified entity” means a public or private entity that—
(A) is qualified (as determined by the Secretary) to use claims data to evaluate the performance of providers of services and suppliers on measures of quality, efficiency, effectiveness, and resource use; and
(B) agrees to meet the requirements described in paragraph (4) and meets such other requirements as the Secretary may specify, such as ensuring security of data.
(3) Data described
(4) Requirements
(A) Fee
(B) Specification of uses and methodologiesA qualified entity requesting data under this subsection shall—
(i) submit to the Secretary a description of the methodologies that such qualified entity will use to evaluate the performance of providers of services and suppliers using such data;
(ii)(I) except as provided in subclause (II), if available, use standard measures, such as measures endorsed by the entity with a contract under section 1395aaa(a) of this title and measures developed pursuant to section 299b–31 of this title; or(II) use alternative measures if the Secretary, in consultation with appropriate stakeholders, determines that use of such alternative measures would be more valid, reliable, responsive to consumer preferences, cost-effective, or relevant to dimensions of quality and resource use not addressed by such standard measures;
(iii) include data made available under this subsection with claims data from sources other than claims data under this subchapter in the evaluation of performance of providers of services and suppliers;
(iv) only include information on the evaluation of performance of providers and suppliers in reports described in subparagraph (C);
(v) make available to providers of services and suppliers, upon their request, data made available under this subsection; and
(vi) prior to their release, submit to the Secretary the format of reports under subparagraph (C).
(C) ReportsAny report by a qualified entity evaluating the performance of providers of services and suppliers using data made available under this subsection shall—
(i) include an understandable description of the measures, which shall include quality measures and the rationale for use of other measures described in subparagraph (B)(ii)(II), risk adjustment methods, physician attribution methods, other applicable methods, data specifications and limitations, and the sponsors, so that consumers, providers of services and suppliers, health plans, researchers, and other stakeholders can assess such reports;
(ii) be made available confidentially, to any provider of services or supplier to be identified in such report, prior to the public release of such report, and provide an opportunity to appeal and correct errors;
(iii) only include information on a provider of services or supplier in an aggregate form as determined appropriate by the Secretary; and
(iv) except as described in clause (ii), be made available to the public.
(D) Approval and limitation of uses
(f) Requirement for the Secretary to establish policies and claims edits relating to incarcerated individuals, individuals not lawfully present, and deceased individualsThe Secretary shall establish and maintain procedures, including procedures for using claims processing edits, updating eligibility information to improve provider accessibility, and conducting recoupment activities such as through recovery audit contractors, in order to ensure that payment is not made under this subchapter for items and services furnished to an individual who is one of the following:
(1) An individual who is incarcerated.
(2) An individual who is not lawfully present in the United States and who is not eligible for coverage under this subchapter.
(3) A deceased individual.
(g) Requirement for enrollment data reporting
(1) In generalEach year (beginning with 2016), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report on Medicare enrollment data (and, in the case of part A, on data on individuals receiving benefits under such part) as of a date in such year specified by the Secretary. Such data shall be presented—
(A) by Congressional district and State; and
(B) in a manner that provides for such data based on—
(i) fee-for-service enrollment (as defined in paragraph (2));
(ii) enrollment under part C (including separate for aggregate enrollment in MA–PD plans and aggregate enrollment in MA plans that are not MA–PD plans); and
(iii) enrollment under part D.
(2) Fee-for-service enrollment definedFor purpose of paragraph (1)(B)(i), the term “fee-for-service enrollment” means aggregate enrollment (including receipt of benefits other than through enrollment) under—
(A) part A only;
(B) part B only; and
(C) both part A and part B.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1874, as added and amended Pub. L. 89–97, title I, §§ 102(a), 111(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 332, 340; Pub. L. 92–603, title II, § 289, Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1457; Pub. L. 93–445, title III, § 310, Oct. 16, 1974, 88 Stat. 1359; Pub. L. 110–275, title I, § 189(a), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2590; Pub. L. 111–148, title X, § 10332(a), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 968; Pub. L. 114–10, title I, § 105(c), (d), title V, § 502(a), Apr. 16, 2015, 129 Stat. 137, 165; Pub. L. 114–255, div. C, title XVII, § 17002, Dec. 13, 2016, 130 Stat. 1330.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395kk

§ 1395kk–1. Contracts with medicare administrative contractors
(a) Authority
(1) Authority to enter into contracts
(2) Eligibility of entities
An entity is eligible to enter into a contract with respect to the performance of a particular function described in paragraph (4) only if—
(A) the entity has demonstrated capability to carry out such function;
(B) the entity complies with such conflict of interest standards as are generally applicable to Federal acquisition and procurement;
(C) the entity has sufficient assets to financially support the performance of such function; and
(D) the entity meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose.
(3) Medicare administrative contractor defined
For purposes of this subchapter and subchapter XI—
(A) In general
(B) Appropriate medicare administrative contractor
(4) Functions described
The functions referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) are payment functions (including the function of developing local coverage determinations, as defined in section 1395ff(f)(2)(B) of this title), provider services functions, and functions relating to services furnished to individuals entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B, or both, as follows:
(A) Determination of payment amounts
(B) Making payments
(C) Beneficiary education and assistance
(D) Provider consultative services
(E) Communication with providers
(F) Provider education and technical assistance
(G) Improper payment outreach and education program
(H) Additional functions
(5) Relationship to MIP contracts
(A) Nonduplication of duties
(B) Construction
(6) Application of Federal Acquisition Regulation
(b) Contracting requirements
(1) Use of competitive procedures
(A) In general
(B) Renewal of contracts
(C) Transfer of functions
(D) Incentives for quality
(i) In general
(ii) Improper payment rate reduction incentives
(iii) Incentives
The incentives provided for under clause (ii)—
(I) may include a sliding scale of award fee payments and additional incentives to medicare administrative contractors that either reduce the improper payment rates in their jurisdictions to certain thresholds, as determined by the Secretary, or accomplish tasks, as determined by the Secretary, that further improve payment accuracy; and(II) may include substantial reductions in award fee payments under cost-plus-award-fee contracts, for medicare administrative contractors that reach an upper end improper payment rate threshold or other threshold as determined by the Secretary, or fail to accomplish tasks, as determined by the Secretary, that further improve payment accuracy.
(2) Compliance with requirements
(3) Performance requirements
(A) Development of specific performance requirements
(i) In general
(ii) Consultation
(iii) Publication of standards
(iv) Contractor performance transparency
(B) Considerations
(C) Inclusion in contracts
All contractor performance requirements shall be set forth in the contract between the Secretary and the appropriate medicare administrative contractor. Such performance requirements—
(i) shall reflect the performance requirements published under subparagraph (A), but may include additional performance requirements;
(ii) shall be used for evaluating contractor performance under the contract; and
(iii) shall be consistent with the written statement of work provided under the contract.
(4) Information requirements
The Secretary shall not enter into a contract with a medicare administrative contractor under this section unless the contractor agrees—
(A) to furnish to the Secretary such timely information and reports as the Secretary may find necessary in performing his functions under this subchapter; and
(B) to maintain such records and afford such access thereto as the Secretary finds necessary to assure the correctness and verification of the information and reports under subparagraph (A) and otherwise to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.
(5) Surety bond
(c) Terms and conditions
(1) In general
(2) Prohibition on mandates for certain data collection
(d) Limitation on liability of medicare administrative contractors and certain officers
(1) Certifying officer
(2) Disbursing officer
(3) Liability of medicare administrative contractor
(A) In general
(B) Relationship to False Claims Act
(4) Indemnification by Secretary
(A) In general
(B) Conditions
(C) Scope of indemnification
(D) Written approval for settlements or compromises
(E) Construction
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed—
(i) to change any common law immunity that may be available to a medicare administrative contractor or person described in subparagraph (A); or
(ii) to permit the payment of costs not otherwise allowable, reasonable, or allocable under the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
(e) Requirements for information security
(1) Development of information security program
(2) Independent audits
(A) Performance of annual evaluations
Each year a medicare administrative contractor that performs the functions referred to in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(4) (relating to determining and making payments) shall undergo an evaluation of the information security of the contractor with respect to such functions under this subchapter. The evaluation shall—
(i) be performed by an entity that meets such requirements for independence as the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services may establish; and
(ii) test the effectiveness of information security control techniques of an appropriate subset of the contractor’s information systems (as defined in section 3502(8) of title 44) relating to such functions under this subchapter and an assessment of compliance with the requirements of this subsection and related information security policies, procedures, standards and guidelines, including policies and procedures as may be prescribed by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and applicable information security standards promulgated under section 11331 of title 40.1
(B) Deadline for initial evaluation
(i) New contractors
(ii) Other contractors
(C) Reports on evaluations
(i) To the Department of Health and Human Services
(ii) To Congress
(iii) Agency reporting
(f) Incentives to improve contractor performance in provider education and outreach
(g) Communications with beneficiaries, providers of services and suppliers
(1) Communication strategy
(2) Response to written inquiries
(3) Response to toll-free lines
(4) Monitoring of contractor responses
(A) In general
Each medicare administrative contractor shall, consistent with standards developed by the Secretary under subparagraph (B)—
(i) maintain a system for identifying who provides the information referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3); and
(ii) monitor the accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of the information so provided.
(B) Development of standards
(i) In general
(ii) Evaluation
(C) Direct monitoring
(5) Authorization of appropriations
(h) Improper payment outreach and education program
(1) In general
(2) Information to be provided through activities
The information to be provided under such payment outreach and education program shall include information the Secretary determines to be appropriate, which may include the following information:
(A) A list of the providers’ or suppliers’ most frequent and expensive payment errors over the last quarter.
(B) Specific instructions regarding how to correct or avoid such errors in the future.
(C) A notice of new topics that have been approved by the Secretary for audits conducted by recovery audit contractors under section 1395ddd(h) of this title.
(D) Specific instructions to prevent future issues related to such new audits.
(E) Other information determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(3) Priority
A medicare administrative contractor shall give priority to activities under such program that will reduce improper payments that are one or more of the following:
(A) Are for items and services that have the highest rate of improper payment.
(B) Are for items and service 2
2 So in original. Probably should be “services”.
that have the greatest total dollar amount of improper payments.
(C) Are due to clear misapplication or misinterpretation of Medicare policies.
(D) Are clearly due to common and inadvertent clerical or administrative errors.
(E) Are due to other types of errors that the Secretary determines could be prevented through activities under the program.
(4) Information on improper payments from recovery audit contractors
(A) In general
(B) Information
The information described in subparagraph (A) shall include information such as the following:
(i) Providers of services and suppliers that have the highest rate of improper payments.
(ii) Providers of services and suppliers that have the greatest total dollar amounts of improper payments.
(iii) Items and services furnished in the region that have the highest rates of improper payments.
(iv) Items and services furnished in the region that are responsible for the greatest total dollar amount of improper payments.
(v) Other information the Secretary determines would assist the contractor in carrying out the program.
(5) Communications
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1874A, as added and amended Pub. L. 108–173, title IX, §§ 911(a)(1), 912(a), 921(b)(1), (c)(1), 934(a), 940A(b), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2378, 2387–2389, 2406, 2417; Pub. L. 111–152, title I, § 1302, Mar. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 1057; Pub. L. 114–10, title V, §§ 505(a), 509(a), (c), Apr. 16, 2015, 129 Stat. 166, 170; Pub. L. 114–115, § 7(a), Dec. 28, 2015, 129 Stat. 3134.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395kk-1

§ 1395kk–2. Expanding availability of Medicare data
(a) Expanding uses of Medicare data by qualified entities
(1) Additional analyses
(A) In general
(B) Limitations with respect to analyses
(i) Employers
(ii) Health insurance issuers
(2) Access to certain data
(A) Access
To the extent consistent with applicable information, privacy, security, and disclosure laws (including paragraph (3)), notwithstanding paragraph (4)(B) of section 1874(e) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395kk(e)) and the second sentence of paragraph (4)(D) of such section, beginning July 1, 2016, a qualified entity may—
(i) provide or sell the combined data described in paragraph (4)(B)(iii) of such section to authorized users described in clauses (i), (ii), and (v) of paragraph (9)(A) for non-public use, including for the purposes described in subparagraph (B); or
(ii) subject to subparagraph (C), provide Medicare claims data to authorized users described in clauses (i), (ii), and (v),1
1 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
of paragraph (9)(A) for non-public use, including for the purposes described in subparagraph (B).
(B) Purposes described
(C) Medicare claims data must be provided at no cost
(3) Protection of information
(A) In general
(B) Information on patients of the provider of services or supplier
(C) Prohibition on using analyses or data for marketing purposes
(4) Data use agreement
(5) No redisclosure of analyses or data
(A) In general
(B) Permitted redisclosure
(6) Opportunity for providers of services and suppliers to review
(7) Assessment for a breach
(A) In general
In the case of a breach of a data use agreement under this section or section 1874(e) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395kk(e)), the Secretary shall impose an assessment on the qualified entity both in the case of—
(i) an agreement between the Secretary and a qualified entity; and
(ii) an agreement between a qualified entity and an authorized user.
(B) Assessment
The assessment under subparagraph (A) shall be an amount up to $100 for each individual entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1395c et seq.] or enrolled for benefits under part B of such title [42 U.S.C. 1395j et seq.]—
(i) in the case of an agreement described in subparagraph (A)(i), for whom the Secretary provided data on to the qualified entity under paragraph (2); and
(ii) in the case of an agreement described in subparagraph (A)(ii), for whom the qualified entity provided data on to the authorized user under paragraph (2).
(C) Deposit of amounts collected
(8) Annual reports
Any qualified entity that provides or sells an analysis or data under paragraph (1) or (2) shall annually submit to the Secretary a report that includes—
(A) a summary of the analyses provided or sold, including the number of such analyses, the number of purchasers of such analyses, and the total amount of fees received for such analyses;
(B) a description of the topics and purposes of such analyses;
(C) information on the entities who received the data under paragraph (2), the uses of the data, and the total amount of fees received for providing, selling, or sharing the data; and
(D) other information determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(9) Definitions
In this subsection and subsection (b):
(A) Authorized user
The term “authorized user” means the following:
(i) A provider of services.
(ii) A supplier.
(iii) An employer (as defined in section 1002(5) of title 29).
(iv) A health insurance issuer (as defined in section 300gg–91 of this title).
(v) A medical society or hospital association.
(vi) Any entity not described in clauses (i) through (v) that is approved by the Secretary (other than an employer or health insurance issuer not described in clauses (iii) and (iv), respectively, as determined by the Secretary).
(B) Provider of services
(C) Qualified entity
(D) Secretary
(E) Supplier
(b) Access to Medicare data by qualified clinical data registries to facilitate quality improvement
(1) Access
(A) In general
(B) Data described
The data described in this subparagraph is—
(i) claims data under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.]; and
(ii) if the Secretary determines appropriate, claims data under the Medicaid program under title XIX of such Act [42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.] and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program under title XXI of such Act [42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.].
(2) Fee
(Pub. L. 114–10, title I, § 105, Apr. 16, 2015, 129 Stat. 133.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395kk-2

§ 1395ll. Studies and recommendations
(a) Health care of the aged and disabled
(b) Operation and administration of insurance programs
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1875, as added Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 102(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 332; amended Pub. L. 90–248, title IV, § 402(c), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 931; Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §§ 201(c)(7), 222(c), 226(d), 244(d), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1373, 1393, 1404, 1423; Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, § 2354(b)(17), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1101; Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, § 9316(a), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 2006; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, § 4085(i)(20), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–133; Pub. L. 100–647, title VIII, § 8413, Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3801; Pub. L. 101–234, title III, § 301(b)(5), (d)(2), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1985, 1986; Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, § 6103(b)(3)(A), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2199; Pub. L. 108–173, title I, § 101(e)(7), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2152; Pub. L. 110–275, title I, § 125(b)(4), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2519.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395ll

§ 1395mm. Payments to health maintenance organizations and competitive medical plans
(a) Rates and adjustments
(1)
(A) The Secretary shall annually determine, and shall announce (in a manner intended to provide notice to interested parties) not later than September 7 before the calendar year concerned—
(i) a per capita rate of payment for each class of individuals who are enrolled under this section with an eligible organization which has entered into a risk-sharing contract and who are entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B, and
(ii) a per capita rate of payment for each class of individuals who are so enrolled with such an organization and who are enrolled under part B only.
For purposes of this section, the term “risk-sharing contract” means a contract entered into under subsection (g) and the term “reasonable cost reimbursement contract” means a contract entered into under subsection (h).
(B) The Secretary shall define appropriate classes of members, based on age, disability status, and such other factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, so as to ensure actuarial equivalence. The Secretary may add to, modify, or substitute for such classes, if such changes will improve the determination of actuarial equivalence.
(C) The annual per capita rate of payment for each such class shall be equal to 95 percent of the adjusted average per capita cost (as defined in paragraph (4)) for that class.
(D) In the case of an eligible organization with a risk-sharing contract, the Secretary shall make monthly payments in advance and in accordance with the rate determined under subparagraph (C) and except as provided in subsection (g)(2), to the organization for each individual enrolled with the organization under this section.
(E)
(i) The amount of payment under this paragraph may be retroactively adjusted to take into account any difference between the actual number of individuals enrolled in the plan under this section and the number of such individuals estimated to be so enrolled in determining the amount of the advance payment.
(ii)(I) Subject to subclause (II), the Secretary may make retroactive adjustments under clause (i) to take into account individuals enrolled during the period beginning on the date on which the individual enrolls with an eligible organization (which has a risk-sharing contract under this section) under a health benefit plan operated, sponsored, or contributed to by the individual’s employer or former employer (or the employer or former employer of the individual’s spouse) and ending on the date on which the individual is enrolled in the plan under this section, except that for purposes of making such retroactive adjustments under this clause, such period may not exceed 90 days.(II) No adjustment may be made under subclause (I) with respect to any individual who does not certify that the organization provided the individual with the explanation described in subsection (c)(3)(E) at the time the individual enrolled with the organization.
(F)
(i) At least 45 days before making the announcement under subparagraph (A) for a year (beginning with the announcement for 1991), the Secretary shall provide for notice to eligible organizations of proposed changes to be made in the methodology or benefit coverage assumptions from the methodology and assumptions used in the previous announcement and shall provide such organizations an opportunity to comment on such proposed changes.
(ii) In each announcement made under subparagraph (A) for a year (beginning with the announcement for 1991), the Secretary shall include an explanation of the assumptions (including any benefit coverage assumptions) and changes in methodology used in the announcement in sufficient detail so that eligible organizations can compute per capita rates of payment for classes of individuals located in each county (or equivalent area) which is in whole or in part within the service area of such an organization.
(2) With respect to any eligible organization which has entered into a reasonable cost reimbursement contract, payments shall be made to such plan in accordance with subsection (h)(2) rather than paragraph (1).
(3) Subject to subsections (c)(2)(B)(ii) and (c)(7), payments under a contract to an eligible organization under paragraph (1) or (2) shall be instead of the amounts which (in the absence of the contract) would be otherwise payable, pursuant to sections 1395f(b) and 1395l(a) of this title, for services furnished by or through the organization to individuals enrolled with the organization under this section.
(4) For purposes of this section, the term “adjusted average per capita cost” means the average per capita amount that the Secretary estimates in advance (on the basis of actual experience, or retrospective actuarial equivalent based upon an adequate sample and other information and data, in a geographic area served by an eligible organization or in a similar area, with appropriate adjustments to assure actuarial equivalence) would be payable in any contract year for services covered under parts A and B, or part B only, and types of expenses otherwise reimbursable under parts A and B, or part B only (including administrative costs incurred by organizations described in sections 1395h and 1395u of this title), if the services were to be furnished by other than an eligible organization or, in the case of services covered only under section 1395x(s)(2)(H) of this title, if the services were to be furnished by a physician or as an incident to a physician’s service.
(5) The payment to an eligible organization under this section for individuals enrolled under this section with the organization and entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B shall be made from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. The portion of that payment to the organization for a month to be paid by each trust fund shall be determined as follows:
(A) In regard to expenditures by eligible organizations having risk-sharing contracts, the allocation shall be determined each year by the Secretary based on the relative weight that benefits from each fund contribute to the adjusted average per capita cost.
(B) In regard to expenditures by eligible organizations operating under a reasonable cost reimbursement contract, the initial allocation shall be based on the plan’s most recent budget, such allocation to be adjusted, as needed, after cost settlement to reflect the distribution of actual expenditures.
The remainder of that payment shall be paid by the former trust fund.
(6) Subject to subsections (c)(2)(B)(ii) and (c)(7), if an individual is enrolled under this section with an eligible organization having a risk-sharing contract, only the eligible organization shall be entitled to receive payments from the Secretary under this subchapter for services furnished to the individual.
(b) Definitions; requirementsFor purposes of this section, the term “eligible organization” means a public or private entity (which may be a health maintenance organization or a competitive medical plan), organized under the laws of any State, which—
(1) is a qualified health maintenance organization (as defined in section 300e–9(d) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of this title), or
(2) meets the following requirements:
(A) The entity provides to enrolled members at least the following health care services:
(i) Physicians’ services performed by physicians (as defined in section 1395x(r)(1) of this title).
(ii) Inpatient hospital services.
(iii) Laboratory, X-ray, emergency, and preventive services.
(iv) Out-of-area coverage.
(B) The entity is compensated (except for deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) for the provision of health care services to enrolled members by a payment which is paid on a periodic basis without regard to the date the health care services are provided and which is fixed without regard to the frequency, extent, or kind of health care service actually provided to a member.
(C) The entity provides physicians’ services primarily (i) directly through physicians who are either employees or partners of such organization, or (ii) through contracts with individual physicians or one or more groups of physicians (organized on a group practice or individual practice basis).
(D) The entity assumes full financial risk on a prospective basis for the provision of the health care services listed in subparagraph (A), except that such entity may—
(i) obtain insurance or make other arrangements for the cost of providing to any enrolled member health care services listed in subparagraph (A) the aggregate value of which exceeds $5,000 in any year,
(ii) obtain insurance or make other arrangements for the cost of health care service listed in subparagraph (A) provided to its enrolled members other than through the entity because medical necessity required their provision before they could be secured through the entity,
(iii) obtain insurance or make other arrangements for not more than 90 percent of the amount by which its costs for any of its fiscal years exceed 115 percent of its income for such fiscal year, and
(iv) make arrangements with physicians or other health professionals, health care institutions, or any combination of such individuals or institutions to assume all or part of the financial risk on a prospective basis for the provision of basic health services by the physicians or other health professionals or through the institutions.
(E) The entity has made adequate provision against the risk of insolvency, which provision is satisfactory to the Secretary.
Paragraph (2)(A)(ii) shall not apply to an entity which had contracted with a single State agency administering a State plan approved under subchapter XIX for the provision of services (other than inpatient hospital services) to individuals eligible for such services under such State plan on a prepaid risk basis prior to 1970.
(c) Enrollment in plan; duties of organization to enrollees
(1) The Secretary may not enter into a contract under this section with an eligible organization unless it meets the requirements of this subsection and subsection (e) with respect to members enrolled under this section.
(2)
(A) The organization must provide to members enrolled under this section, through providers and other persons that meet the applicable requirements of this subchapter and part A of subchapter XI—
(i) only those services covered under parts A and B of this subchapter, for those members entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B, or
(ii) only those services covered under part B, for those members enrolled only under such part,
which are available to individuals residing in the geographic area served by the organization, except that (I) the organization may provide such members with such additional health care services as the members may elect, at their option, to have covered, and (II) in the case of an organization with a risk-sharing contract, the organization may provide such members with such additional health care services as the Secretary may approve. The Secretary shall approve any such additional health care services which the organization proposes to offer to such members, unless the Secretary determines that including such additional services will substantially discourage enrollment by covered individuals with the organization.
(B) If there is a national coverage determination made in the period beginning on the date of an announcement under subsection (a)(1)(A) and ending on the date of the next announcement under such subsection that the Secretary projects will result in a significant change in the costs to the organization of providing the benefits that are the subject of such national coverage determination and that was not incorporated in the determination of the per capita rate of payment included in the announcement made at the beginning of such period—
(i) such determination shall not apply to risk-sharing contracts under this section until the first contract year that begins after the end of such period; and
(ii) if such coverage determination provides for coverage of additional benefits or under additional circumstances, subsection (a)(3) shall not apply to payment for such additional benefits or benefits provided under such additional circumstances until the first contract year that begins after the end of such period,
unless otherwise required by law.
(3)
(A)
(i) Each eligible organization must have an open enrollment period, for the enrollment of individuals under this section, of at least 30 days duration every year and including the period or periods specified under clause (ii), and must provide that at any time during which enrollments are accepted, the organization will accept up to the limits of its capacity (as determined by the Secretary) and without restrictions, except as may be authorized in regulations, individuals who are eligible to enroll under subsection (d) in the order in which they apply for enrollment, unless to do so would result in failure to meet the requirements of subsection (f) or would result in the enrollment of enrollees substantially nonrepresentative, as determined in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, of the population in the geographic area served by the organization.
(ii)(I) If a risk-sharing contract under this section is not renewed or is otherwise terminated, eligible organizations with risk-sharing contracts under this section and serving a part of the same service area as under the terminated contract are required to have an open enrollment period for individuals who were enrolled under the terminated contract as of the date of notice of such termination. If a risk-sharing contract under this section is renewed in a manner that discontinues coverage for individuals residing in part of the service area, eligible organizations with risk-sharing contracts under this section and enrolling individuals residing in that part of the service area are required to have an open enrollment period for individuals residing in the part of the service area who were enrolled under the contract as of the date of notice of such discontinued coverage.(II) The open enrollment periods required under subclause (I) shall be for 30 days and shall begin 30 days after the date that the Secretary provides notice of such requirement.(III) Enrollment under this clause shall be effective 30 days after the end of the open enrollment period, or, if the Secretary determines that such date is not feasible, such other date as the Secretary specifies.
(B) An individual may enroll under this section with an eligible organization in such manner as may be prescribed in regulations and may terminate his enrollment with the eligible organization as of the beginning of the first calendar month following the date on which the request is made for such termination (or, in the case of financial insolvency of the organization, as may be prescribed by regulations) or, in the case of such an organization with a reasonable cost reimbursement contract, as may be prescribed by regulations. In the case of an individual’s termination of enrollment, the organization shall provide the individual with a copy of the written request for termination of enrollment and a written explanation of the period (ending on the effective date of the termination) during which the individual continues to be enrolled with the organization and may not receive benefits under this subchapter other than through the organization.
(C) The Secretary may prescribe the procedures and conditions under which an eligible organization that has entered into a contract with the Secretary under this subsection may inform individuals eligible to enroll under this section with the organization about the organization, or may enroll such individuals with the organization. No brochures, application forms, or other promotional or informational material may be distributed by an organization to (or for the use of) individuals eligible to enroll with the organization under this section unless (i) at least 45 days before its distribution, the organization has submitted the material to the Secretary for review and (ii) the Secretary has not disapproved the distribution of the material. The Secretary shall review all such material submitted and shall disapprove such material if the Secretary determines, in the Secretary’s discretion, that the material is materially inaccurate or misleading or otherwise makes a material misrepresentation.
(D) The organization must provide assurances to the Secretary that it will not expel or refuse to re-enroll any such individual because of the individual’s health status or requirements for health care services, and that it will notify each such individual of such fact at the time of the individual’s enrollment.
(E) Each eligible organization shall provide each enrollee, at the time of enrollment and not less frequently than annually thereafter, an explanation of the enrollee’s rights under this section, including an explanation of—
(i) the enrollee’s rights to benefits from the organization,
(ii) the restrictions on payments under this subchapter for services furnished other than by or through the organization,
(iii) out-of-area coverage provided by the organization,
(iv) the organization’s coverage of emergency services and urgently needed care, and
(v) appeal rights of enrollees.
(F) Each eligible organization that provides items and services pursuant to a contract under this section shall provide assurances to the Secretary that in the event the organization ceases to provide such items and services, the organization shall provide or arrange for supplemental coverage of benefits under this subchapter related to a pre-existing condition with respect to any exclusion period, to all individuals enrolled with the entity who receive benefits under this subchapter, for the lesser of six months or the duration of such period.
(G)
(i) Each eligible organization having a risk-sharing contract under this section shall notify individuals eligible to enroll with the organization under this section and individuals enrolled with the organization under this section that—(I) the organization is authorized by law to terminate or refuse to renew the contract, and(II) termination or nonrenewal of the contract may result in termination of the enrollments of individuals enrolled with the organization under this section.
(ii) The notice required by clause (i) shall be included in—(I) any marketing materials described in subparagraph (C) that are distributed by an eligible organization to individuals eligible to enroll under this section with the organization, and(II) any explanation provided to enrollees by the organization pursuant to subparagraph (E).
(4) The organization must—
(A) make the services described in paragraph (2) (and such other health care services as such individuals have contracted for) (i) available and accessible to each such individual, within the area served by the organization, with reasonable promptness and in a manner which assures continuity, and (ii) when medically necessary, available and accessible twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week, and
(B) provide for reimbursement with respect to services which are described in subparagraph (A) and which are provided to such an individual other than through the organization, if (i) the services were medically necessary and immediately required because of an unforeseen illness, injury, or condition and (ii) it was not reasonable given the circumstances to obtain the services through the organization.
(5)
(A) The organization must provide meaningful procedures for hearing and resolving grievances between the organization (including any entity or individual through which the organization provides health care services) and members enrolled with the organization under this section.
(B) A member enrolled with an eligible organization under this section who is dissatisfied by reason of his failure to receive any health service to which he believes he is entitled and at no greater charge than he believes he is required to pay is entitled, if the amount in controversy is $100 or more, to a hearing before the Secretary to the same extent as is provided in section 405(b) of this title, and in any such hearing the Secretary shall make the eligible organization a party. If the amount in controversy is $1,000 or more, the individual or eligible organization shall, upon notifying the other party, be entitled to judicial review of the Secretary’s final decision as provided in section 405(g) of this title, and both the individual and the eligible organization shall be entitled to be parties to that judicial review. In applying sections 405(b) and 405(g) of this title as provided in this subparagraph, and in applying section 405(l) of this title thereto, any reference therein to the Commissioner of Social Security or the Social Security Administration shall be considered a reference to the Secretary or the Department of Health and Human Services, respectively. The provisions of section 1395ff(b)(1)(E)(iii) of this title shall apply with respect to dollar amounts specified in the first 2 sentences of this subparagraph in the same manner as they apply to the dollar amounts specified in section 1395ff(b)(1)(E)(i) of this title.
(6) The organization must have arrangements, established in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, for an ongoing quality assurance program for health care services it provides to such individuals, which program (A) stresses health outcomes and (B) provides review by physicians and other health care professionals of the process followed in the provision of such health care services.
(7) A risk-sharing contract under this section shall provide that in the case of an individual who is receiving inpatient hospital services from a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in section 1395ww(d)(1)(B) of this title) as of the effective date of the individual’s—
(A) enrollment with an eligible organization under this section—
(i) payment for such services until the date of the individual’s discharge shall be made under this subchapter as if the individual were not enrolled with the organization,
(ii) the organization shall not be financially responsible for payment for such services until the date after the date of the individual’s discharge, and
(iii) the organization shall nonetheless be paid the full amount otherwise payable to the organization under this section; or
(B) termination of enrollment with an eligible organization under this section—
(i) the organization shall be financially responsible for payment for such services after such date and until the date of the individual’s discharge,
(ii) payment for such services during the stay shall not be made under section 1395ww(d) of this title, and
(iii) the organization shall not receive any payment with respect to the individual under this section during the period the individual is not enrolled.
(8) A contract under this section shall provide that the eligible organization shall meet the requirement of section 1395cc(f) of this title (relating to maintaining written policies and procedures respecting advance directives).
(d) Right to enroll with contracting organization in geographic area
(e) Limitation on charges; election of coverage; “adjusted community rate” defined; workmen’s compensation and insurance benefits
(1) In no case may—
(A) the portion of an eligible organization’s premium rate and the actuarial value of its deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments charged (with respect to services covered under parts A and B) to individuals who are enrolled under this section with the organization and who are entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B, or
(B) the portion of its premium rate and the actuarial value of its deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments charged (with respect to services covered under part B) to individuals who are enrolled under this section with the organization and enrolled under part B only
exceed the actuarial value of the coinsurance and deductibles that would be applicable on the average to individuals enrolled under this section with the organization (or, if the Secretary finds that adequate data are not available to determine that actuarial value, the actuarial value of the coinsurance and deductibles applicable on the average to individuals in the area, in the State, or in the United States, eligible to enroll under this section with the organization, or other appropriate data) and entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B, or enrolled under part B only, respectively, if they were not members of an eligible organization.
(2) If the eligible organization provides to its members enrolled under this section services in addition to services covered under parts A and B of this subchapter, election of coverage for such additional services (unless such services have been approved by the Secretary under subsection (c)(2)) shall be optional for such members and such organization shall furnish such members with information on the portion of its premium rate or other charges applicable to such additional services. In no case may the sum of—
(A) the portion of such organization’s premium rate charged, with respect to such additional services, to members enrolled under this section, and
(B) the actuarial value of its deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments charged, with respect to such services to such members
exceed the adjusted community rate for such services.
(3) For purposes of this section, the term “adjusted community rate” for a service or services means, at the election of an eligible organization, either—
(A) the rate of payment for that service or services which the Secretary annually determines would apply to a member enrolled under this section with an eligible organization if the rate of payment were determined under a “community rating system” (as defined in section 300e–1(8) of this title, other than subparagraph (C)), or
(B) such portion of the weighted aggregate premium, which the Secretary annually estimates would apply to a member enrolled under this section with the eligible organization, as the Secretary annually estimates is attributable to that service or services,
but adjusted for differences between the utilization characteristics of the members enrolled with the eligible organization under this section and the utilization characteristics of the other members of the organization (or, if the Secretary finds that adequate data are not available to adjust for those differences, the differences between the utilization characteristics of members in other eligible organizations, or individuals in the area, in the State, or in the United States, eligible to enroll under this section with an eligible organization and the utilization characteristics of the rest of the population in the area, in the State, or in the United States, respectively).
(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the eligible organization may (in the case of the provision of services to a member enrolled under this section for an illness or injury for which the member is entitled to benefits under a workmen’s compensation law or plan of the United States or a State, under an automobile or liability insurance policy or plan, including a self-insured plan, or under no fault insurance) charge or authorize the provider of such services to charge, in accordance with the charges allowed under such law or policy—
(A) the insurance carrier, employer, or other entity which under such law, plan, or policy is to pay for the provision of such services, or
(B) such member to the extent that the member has been paid under such law, plan, or policy for such services.
(f) Membership requirements
(1) For contract periods beginning before January 1, 1999, each eligible organization with which the Secretary enters into a contract under this section shall have, for the duration of such contract, an enrolled membership at least one-half of which consists of individuals who are not entitled to benefits under this subchapter.
(2) Subject to paragraph (4), the Secretary may modify or waive the requirement imposed by paragraph (1) only—
(A) to the extent that more than 50 percent of the population of the area served by the organization consists of individuals who are entitled to benefits under this subchapter or under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX, or
(B) in the case of an eligible organization that is owned and operated by a governmental entity, only with respect to a period of three years beginning on the date the organization first enters into a contract under this section, and only if the organization has taken and is making reasonable efforts to enroll individuals who are not entitled to benefits under this subchapter or under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX.
(3) If the Secretary determines that an eligible organization has failed to comply with the requirements of this subsection, the Secretary may provide for the suspension of enrollment of individuals under this section or of payment to the organization under this section for individuals newly enrolled with the organization, after the date the Secretary notifies the organization of such noncompliance.
(4) Effective for contract periods beginning after December 31, 1996, the Secretary may waive or modify the requirement imposed by paragraph (1) to the extent the Secretary finds that it is in the public interest.
(g) Risk-sharing contract
(1) The Secretary may enter a risk-sharing contract with any eligible organization, as defined in subsection (b), which has at least 5,000 members, except that the Secretary may enter into such a contract with an eligible organization that has fewer members if the organization primarily serves members residing outside of urbanized areas.
(2) Each risk-sharing contract shall provide that—
(A) if the adjusted community rate, as defined in subsection (e)(3), for services under parts A and B (as reduced for the actuarial value of the coinsurance and deductibles under those parts) for members enrolled under this section with the organization and entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled in part B, or
(B) if the adjusted community rate for services under part B (as reduced for the actuarial value of the coinsurance and deductibles under that part) for members enrolled under this section with the organization and entitled to benefits under part B only
is less than the average of the per capita rates of payment to be made under subsection (a)(1) at the beginning of an annual contract period for members enrolled under this section with the organization and entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled in part B, or enrolled in part B only, respectively, the eligible organization shall provide to members enrolled under a risk-sharing contract under this section with the organization and entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled in part B, or enrolled in part B only, respectively, the additional benefits described in paragraph (3) which are selected by the eligible organization and which the Secretary finds are at least equal in value to the difference between that average per capita payment and the adjusted community rate (as so reduced); except that this paragraph shall not apply with respect to any organization which elects to receive a lesser payment to the extent that there is no longer a difference between the average per capita payment and adjusted community rate (as so reduced) and except that an organization (with the approval of the Secretary) may provide that a part of the value of such additional benefits be withheld and reserved by the Secretary as provided in paragraph (5). If the Secretary finds that there is insufficient enrollment experience to determine an average of the per capita rates of payment to be made under subsection (a)(1) at the beginning of a contract period, the Secretary may determine such an average based on the enrollment experience of other contracts entered into under this section.
(3) The additional benefits referred to in paragraph (2) are—
(A) the reduction of the premium rate or other charges made with respect to services furnished by the organization to members enrolled under this section, or
(B) the provision of additional health benefits,
or both.
(4) Repealed. Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, § 4012(b), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–61.
(5) An organization having a risk-sharing contract under this section may (with the approval of the Secretary) provide that a part of the value of additional benefits otherwise required to be provided by reason of paragraph (2) be withheld and reserved in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and in the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund (in such proportions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate) by the Secretary for subsequent annual contract periods, to the extent required to stabilize and prevent undue fluctuations in the additional benefits offered in those subsequent periods by the organization in accordance with paragraph (3). Any of such value of additional benefits which is not provided to members of the organization in accordance with paragraph (3) prior to the end of such period, shall revert for the use of such trust funds.
(6)
(A) A risk-sharing contract under this section shall require the eligible organization to provide prompt payment (consistent with the provisions of sections 1395h(c)(2) and 1395u(c)(2) of this title) of claims submitted for services and supplies furnished to individuals pursuant to such contract, if the services or supplies are not furnished under a contract between the organization and the provider or supplier.
(B) In the case of an eligible organization which the Secretary determines, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, has failed to make payments of amounts in compliance with subparagraph (A), the Secretary may provide for direct payment of the amounts owed to providers and suppliers for such covered services furnished to individuals enrolled under this section under the contract. If the Secretary provides for such direct payments, the Secretary shall provide for an appropriate reduction in the amount of payments otherwise made to the organization under this section to reflect the amount of the Secretary’s payments (and costs incurred by the Secretary in making such payments).
(h) Reasonable cost reimbursement contract; requirements
(1) If—
(A) the Secretary is not satisfied that an eligible organization has the capacity to bear the risk of potential losses under a risk-sharing contract under this section, or
(B) the eligible organization so elects or has an insufficient number of members to be eligible to enter into a risk-sharing contract under subsection (g)(1),
the Secretary may, if he is otherwise satisfied that the eligible organization is able to perform its contractual obligations effectively and efficiently, enter into a contract with such organization pursuant to which such organization is reimbursed on the basis of its reasonable cost (as defined in section 1395x(v) of this title) in the manner prescribed in paragraph (3).
(2) A reasonable cost reimbursement contract under this subsection may, at the option of such organization, provide that the Secretary—
(A) will reimburse hospitals and skilled nursing facilities either for the reasonable cost (as determined under section 1395x(v) of this title) or for payment amounts determined in accordance with section 1395ww of this title, as applicable, of services furnished to individuals enrolled with such organization pursuant to subsection (d), and
(B) will deduct the amount of such reimbursement from payment which would otherwise be made to such organization.
If such an eligible organization pays a hospital or skilled nursing facility directly, the amount paid shall not exceed the reasonable cost of the services (as determined under section 1395x(v) of this title) or the amount determined under section 1395ww of this title, as applicable, unless such organization demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that such excess payments are justified on the basis of advantages gained by the organization.
(3) Payments made to an organization with a reasonable cost reimbursement contract shall be subject to appropriate retroactive corrective adjustment at the end of each contract year so as to assure that such organization is paid for the reasonable cost actually incurred (excluding any part of incurred cost found to be unnecessary in the efficient delivery of health services) or the amounts otherwise determined under section 1395ww of this title for the types of expenses otherwise reimbursable under this subchapter for providing services covered under this subchapter to individuals described in subsection (a)(1).
(4) Any reasonable cost reimbursement contract with an eligible organization under this subsection shall provide that the Secretary shall require, at such time following the expiration of each accounting period of the eligible organization (and in such form and in such detail) as he may prescribe—
(A) that the organization report to him in an independently certified financial statement its per capita incurred cost based on the types of components of expenses otherwise reimbursable under this subchapter for providing services described in subsection (a)(1), including therein, in accordance with accounting procedures prescribed by the Secretary, its methods of allocating costs between individuals enrolled under this section and other individuals enrolled with such organization;
(B) that failure to report such information as may be required may be deemed to constitute evidence of likely overpayment on the basis of which appropriate collection action may be taken;
(C) that in any case in which an eligible organization is related to another organization by common ownership or control, a consolidated financial statement shall be filed and that the allowable costs for such organization may not include costs for the types of expense otherwise reimbursable under this subchapter, in excess of those which would be determined to be reasonable in accordance with regulations (providing for limiting reimbursement to costs rather than charges to the eligible organization by related organizations and owners) issued by the Secretary; and
(D) that in any case in which compensation is paid by an eligible organization substantially in excess of what is normally paid for similar services by similar practitioners (regardless of method of compensation), such compensation may as appropriate be considered to constitute a distribution of profits.
(5)
(A) After August 5, 1997, the Secretary may not enter into a reasonable cost reimbursement contract under this subsection (if the contract is not in effect as of August 5, 1997), except for a contract with an eligible organization which, immediately previous to entering into such contract, had an agreement in effect under section 1395l(a)(1)(A) of this title.
(B) Subject to subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall approve an application for a modification to a reasonable cost contract under this section in order to expand the service area of such contract if—
(i) such application is submitted to the Secretary on or before September 1, 2003; and
(ii) the Secretary determines that the organization with the contract continues to meet the requirements applicable to such organizations and contracts under this section.
(C)
(i) Subject to clause (ii), a reasonable cost reimbursement contract under this subsection may be extended or renewed indefinitely.
(ii) Subject to clause (iv), for any period beginning on or after January 1, 2016, a reasonable cost reimbursement contract under this subsection may not be extended or renewed for a service area insofar as such area during the entire previous year was within the service area of—(I) 2 or more MA regional plans described in clause (iii), provided that all such plans are not offered by the same Medicare Advantage organization; or(II) 2 or more MA local plans described in clause (iii), provided that all such plans are not offered by the same Medicare Advantage organization.
(iii) A plan described in this clause for a year for a service area is a plan described in section 1395w–21(a)(2)(A)(i) of this title if the service area for the year meets the following minimum enrollment requirements:(I) With respect to any portion of the cost plan service area involved that is within a Metropolitan Statistical Area with a population of more than 250,000 and counties contiguous to such Metropolitan Statistical Area that are not in another Metropolitan Statistical Area with a population of more than 250,000, 5,000 individuals. If the service area includes a portion in more than 1 Metropolitan Statistical Area with a population of more than 250,000, the minimum enrollment determination under the preceding sentence shall be made with respect to each such Metropolitan Statistical Area (and such applicable contiguous counties to such Metropolitan Statistical Area).(II) With respect to any other portion of such cost plan service area, 1,500 individuals.
(iv) In the case of an eligible organization that is offering a reasonable cost reimbursement contract that may no longer be extended or renewed because of the application of clause (ii), or where such contract has been extended or renewed but the eligible organization has informed the Secretary in writing not later than a date determined appropriate by the Secretary that such organization voluntarily plans not to seek renewal of the reasonable cost reimbursement contract, the following shall apply:(I) Notwithstanding such clause, such contract may be extended or renewed for the two years subsequent to 2016. The final year in which such contract is extended or renewed is referred to in this subsection as the “last reasonable cost reimbursement contract year for the contract”.(II) The organization may not enroll a new enrollee under such contract during the last reasonable cost reimbursement contract year for the contract (but may continue to enroll new enrollees through the end of the year immediately preceding such year) unless such enrollee is any of the following:(aa) An individual who chooses enrollment in the reasonable cost contract during the annual election period with respect to such last year.(bb) An individual whose spouse, at the time of the individual’s enrollment 2
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
is an enrollee under the reasonable cost reimbursement contract.(cc) An individual who is covered under an employer group health plan that offers coverage through the reasonable cost reimbursement contract.(dd) An individual who becomes entitled to benefits under part A, or enrolled under part B, and was enrolled in a plan offered by the eligible organization immediately prior to the individual’s enrollment under the reasonable cost reimbursement contract.(III) Not later than a date determined appropriate by the Secretary prior to the beginning of the last reasonable cost reimbursement contract year for the contract, the organization shall provide notice to the Secretary as to whether the organization will apply to have the contract converted over, in whole or in part, and offered as a Medicare Advantage plan under part C for the year following the last reasonable cost reimbursement contract year for the contract.(IV) If the organization provides the notice described in subclause (III) that the contract will be converted, in whole or in part, the organization shall, not later than a date determined appropriate by the Secretary, provide the Secretary with such information as the Secretary determines appropriate in order to carry out section 1395w–21(c)(4) of this title and to carry out section 1395w–24(a)(5) of this title, including subparagraph (C)(ii) of such section.(V) In the case that the organization enrolls a new enrollee under such contract during the last reasonable cost reimbursement contract year for the contract, the organization shall provide the individual with a notification that such year is the last year for such contract.
(v) If an eligible organization that is offering a reasonable cost reimbursement contract that is extended or renewed pursuant to clause (iv) provides the notice described in clause (iv)(III) that the contract will be converted, in whole or in part, the following shall apply:(I) The deemed enrollment under section 1395w–21(c)(4) of this title.(II) The special rule for quality increase under section 1395w–23(o)(4)(C) of this title.(III) During the last reasonable cost reimbursement contract year for the contract and the year immediately preceding such year, the eligible organization, or the corporate parent organization of the eligible organization, shall be permitted to offer an MA plan in the area that such contract is being offered and enroll Medicare Advantage eligible individuals in such MA plan and such cost plan.
(i) Duration, termination, effective date, and terms of contract; powers and duties of Secretary
(1) Each contract under this section shall be for a term of at least one year, as determined by the Secretary, and may be made automatically renewable from term to term in the absence of notice by either party of intention to terminate at the end of the current term; except that in accordance with procedures established under paragraph (9), the Secretary may at any time terminate any such contract or may impose the intermediate sanctions described in paragraph (6)(B) or (6)(C) (whichever is applicable) on the eligible organization if the Secretary determines that the organization—
(A) has failed substantially to carry out the contract;
(B) is carrying out the contract in a manner substantially inconsistent with the efficient and effective administration of this section; or
(C) no longer substantially meets the applicable conditions of subsections (b), (c), (e), and (f).
(2) The effective date of any contract executed pursuant to this section shall be specified in the contract.
(3) Each contract under this section—
(A) shall provide that the Secretary, or any person or organization designated by him—
(i) shall have the right to inspect or otherwise evaluate (I) the quality, appropriateness, and timeliness of services performed under the contract and (II) the facilities of the organization when there is reasonable evidence of some need for such inspection, and
(ii) shall have the right to audit and inspect any books and records of the eligible organization that pertain (I) to the ability of the organization to bear the risk of potential financial losses, or (II) to services performed or determinations of amounts payable under the contract;
(B) shall require the organization with a risk-sharing contract to provide (and pay for) written notice in advance of the contract’s termination, as well as a description of alternatives for obtaining benefits under this subchapter, to each individual enrolled under this section with the organization; and
(C)
(i) shall require the organization to comply with subsections (a) and (c) of section 300e–17 of this title (relating to disclosure of certain financial information) and with the requirement of section 300e(c)(8) 1 of this title (relating to liability arrangements to protect members);
(ii) shall require the organization to provide and supply information (described in section 1395cc(b)(2)(C)(ii) of this title) in the manner such information is required to be provided or supplied under that section;
(iii) shall require the organization to notify the Secretary of loans and other special financial arrangements which are made between the organization and subcontractors, affiliates, and related parties; and
(D) shall contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with this section (including requiring the organization to provide the Secretary with such information) as the Secretary may find necessary and appropriate.
(4) The Secretary may not enter into a risk-sharing contract with an eligible organization if a previous risk-sharing contract with that organization under this section was terminated at the request of the organization within the preceding five-year period, except in circumstances which warrant special consideration, as determined by the Secretary.
(5) The authority vested in the Secretary by this section may be performed without regard to such provisions of law or regulations relating to the making, performance, amendment, or modification of contracts of the United States as the Secretary may determine to be inconsistent with the furtherance of the purpose of this subchapter.
(6)
(A) If the Secretary determines that an eligible organization with a contract under this section—
(i) fails substantially to provide medically necessary items and services that are required (under law or under the contract) to be provided to an individual covered under the contract, if the failure has adversely affected (or has substantial likelihood of adversely affecting) the individual;
(ii) imposes premiums on individuals enrolled under this section in excess of the premiums permitted;
(iii) acts to expel or to refuse to re-enroll an individual in violation of the provisions of this section;
(iv) engages in any practice that would reasonably be expected to have the effect of denying or discouraging enrollment (except as permitted by this section) by eligible individuals with the organization whose medical condition or history indicates a need for substantial future medical services;
(v) misrepresents or falsifies information that is furnished—(I) to the Secretary under this section, or(II) to an individual or to any other entity under this section;
(vi) fails to comply with the requirements of subsection (g)(6)(A) or paragraph (8); or
(vii) in the case of a risk-sharing contract, employs or contracts with any individual or entity that is excluded from participation under this subchapter under section 1320a–7 or 1320a–7a of this title for the provision of health care, utilization review, medical social work, or administrative services or employs or contracts with any entity for the provision (directly or indirectly) through such an excluded individual or entity of such services;
the Secretary may provide, in addition to any other remedies authorized by law, for any of the remedies described in subparagraph (B).
(B) The remedies described in this subparagraph are—
(i) civil money penalties of not more than $25,000 for each determination under subparagraph (A) or, with respect to a determination under clause (iv) or (v)(I) of such subparagraph, of not more than $100,000 for each such determination, plus, with respect to a determination under subparagraph (A)(ii), double the excess amount charged in violation of such subparagraph (and the excess amount charged shall be deducted from the penalty and returned to the individual concerned), and plus, with respect to a determination under subparagraph (A)(iv), $15,000 for each individual not enrolled as a result of the practice involved,
(ii) suspension of enrollment of individuals under this section after the date the Secretary notifies the organization of a determination under subparagraph (A) and until the Secretary is satisfied that the basis for such determination has been corrected and is not likely to recur, or
(iii) suspension of payment to the organization under this section for individuals enrolled after the date the Secretary notifies the organization of a determination under subparagraph (A) and until the Secretary is satisfied that the basis for such determination has been corrected and is not likely to recur.
(C) In the case of an eligible organization for which the Secretary makes a determination under paragraph (1), the basis of which is not described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary may apply the following intermediate sanctions:
(i) Civil money penalties of not more than $25,000 for each determination under paragraph (1) if the deficiency that is the basis of the determination has directly adversely affected (or has the substantial likelihood of adversely affecting) an individual covered under the organization’s contract.
(ii) Civil money penalties of not more than $10,000 for each week beginning after the initiation of procedures by the Secretary under paragraph (9) during which the deficiency that is the basis of a determination under paragraph (1) exists.
(iii) Suspension of enrollment of individuals under this section after the date the Secretary notifies the organization of a determination under paragraph (1) and until the Secretary is satisfied that the deficiency that is the basis for the determination has been corrected and is not likely to recur.
(D) The provisions of section 1320a–7a of this title (other than subsections (a) and (b)) shall apply to a civil money penalty under subparagraph (B)(i) or (C)(i) in the same manner as such provisions apply to a civil money penalty or proceeding under section 1320a–7a(a) of this title.
(7)
(A) Each risk-sharing contract with an eligible organization under this section shall provide that the organization will maintain a written agreement with a quality improvement organization (which has a contract with the Secretary under part B of subchapter XI for the area in which the eligible organization is located) or with an entity selected by the Secretary under section 1320c–3(a)(4)(C) 1 of this title under which the review organization will perform functions under section 1320c–3(a)(4)(B) of this title and
(B) For purposes of payment under this subchapter, the cost of such agreement to the eligible organization shall be considered a cost incurred by a provider of services in providing covered services under this subchapter and shall be paid directly by the Secretary to the review organization on behalf of such eligible organization in accordance with a schedule established by the Secretary.
(C) Such payments—
(i) shall be transferred in appropriate proportions from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and from the Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, without regard to amounts appropriated in advance in appropriation Acts, in the same manner as transfers are made for payment for services provided directly to beneficiaries, and
(ii) shall not be less in the aggregate for such organizations for a fiscal year than the amounts the Secretary determines to be sufficient to cover the costs of such organizations’ conducting activities described in subparagraph (A) with respect to such eligible organizations under part B of subchapter XI.
(8)
(A) Each contract with an eligible organization under this section shall provide that the organization may not operate any physician incentive plan (as defined in subparagraph (B)) unless the following requirements are met:
(i) No specific payment is made directly or indirectly under the plan to a physician or physician group as an inducement to reduce or limit medically necessary services provided with respect to a specific individual enrolled with the organization.
(ii) If the plan places a physician or physician group at substantial financial risk (as determined by the Secretary) for services not provided by the physician or physician group, the organization—(I) provides stop-loss protection for the physician or group that is adequate and appropriate, based on standards developed by the Secretary that take into account the number of physicians placed at such substantial financial risk in the group or under the plan and the number of individuals enrolled with the organization who receive services from the physician or the physician group, and(II) conducts periodic surveys of both individuals enrolled and individuals previously enrolled with the organization to determine the degree of access of such individuals to services provided by the organization and satisfaction with the quality of such services.
(iii) The organization provides the Secretary with descriptive information regarding the plan, sufficient to permit the Secretary to determine whether the plan is in compliance with the requirements of this subparagraph.
(B) In this paragraph, the term “physician incentive plan” means any compensation arrangement between an eligible organization and a physician or physician group that may directly or indirectly have the effect of reducing or limiting services provided with respect to individuals enrolled with the organization.
(9) The Secretary may terminate a contract with an eligible organization under this section or may impose the intermediate sanctions described in paragraph (6) on the organization in accordance with formal investigation and compliance procedures established by the Secretary under which—
(A) the Secretary first provides the organization with the reasonable opportunity to develop and implement a corrective action plan to correct the deficiencies that were the basis of the Secretary’s determination under paragraph (1) and the organization fails to develop or implement such a plan;
(B) in deciding whether to impose sanctions, the Secretary considers aggravating factors such as whether an organization has a history of deficiencies or has not taken action to correct deficiencies the Secretary has brought to the organization’s attention;
(C) there are no unreasonable or unnecessary delays between the finding of a deficiency and the imposition of sanctions; and
(D) the Secretary provides the organization with reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing (including the right to appeal an initial decision) before imposing any sanction or terminating the contract.
(j) Payment in full and limitation on actual charges; physicians, providers of services, or renal dialysis facilities not under contract with organization
(1)
(A) In the case of physicians’ services or renal dialysis services described in paragraph (2) which are furnished by a participating physician or provider of services or renal dialysis facility to an individual enrolled with an eligible organization under this section and enrolled under part B, the applicable participation agreement is deemed to provide that the physician or provider of services or renal dialysis facility will accept as payment in full from the eligible organization the amount that would be payable to the physician or provider of services or renal dialysis facility under part B and from the individual under such part, if the individual were not enrolled with an eligible organization under this section.
(B) In the case of physicians’ services described in paragraph (2) which are furnished by a nonparticipating physician, the limitations on actual charges for such services otherwise applicable under part B (to services furnished by individuals not enrolled with an eligible organization under this section) shall apply in the same manner as such limitations apply to services furnished to individuals not enrolled with such an organization.
(2) The physicians’ services or renal dialysis services described in this paragraph are physicians’ services or renal dialysis services which are furnished to an enrollee of an eligible organization under this section by a physician, provider of services, or renal dialysis facility who is not under a contract with the organization.
(k) Risk-sharing contracts
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2)—
(A) on or after the date standards for Medicare+Choice organizations and plans are first established under section 1395w–26(b)(1) of this title, the Secretary shall not enter into any risk-sharing contract under this section with an eligible organization; and
(B) for any contract year beginning on or after January 1, 1999, the Secretary shall not renew any such contract.
(2) An individual who is enrolled in part B only and is enrolled in an eligible organization with a risk-sharing contract under this section on December 31, 1998, may continue enrollment in such organization in accordance with regulations described in section 1395w–26(b)(1) of this title.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide that payment amounts under risk-sharing contracts under this section for months in a year (beginning with January 1998) shall be computed—
(A) with respect to individuals entitled to benefits under both parts A and B, by substituting payment rates under section 1395w–23(a) of this title for the payment rates otherwise established under subsection (a), and
(B) with respect to individuals only entitled to benefits under part B, by substituting an appropriate proportion of such rates (reflecting the relative proportion of payments under this subchapter attributable to such part) for the payment rates otherwise established under subsection (a).
(4) The following requirements shall apply to eligible organizations with risk-sharing contracts under this section in the same manner as they apply to Medicare+Choice organizations under part C:
(A) Data collection requirements under section 1395w–23(a)(3)(B) of this title.
(B) Restrictions on imposition of premium taxes under section 1395w–24(g) of this title in relating to payments to such organizations under this section.
(C) The requirement to accept enrollment of new enrollees during November 1998 under section 1395w–21(e)(6) of this title.
(D) Payments under section 1395w–27(e)(2) of this title.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1876, as added and amended Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §§ 226(a), 278(b)(3), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1396, 1453; Pub. L. 93–233, § 18(m), (n), Dec. 31, 1973, 87 Stat. 970, 971; Pub. L. 94–460, title II, § 201(a)–(d), Oct. 8, 1976, 90 Stat. 1956, 1957; Pub. L. 95–292, § 5, June 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 315; Pub. L. 97–248, title I, § 114(a), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 341; Pub. L. 97–448, title III, § 309(b)(12), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2409; Pub. L. 98–21, title VI, §§ 602(g), 606(a)(3)(H), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 164, 171; Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, §§ 2350(a)(1), (b)(1), (2), (c), 2354(b)(37), (38), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1097, 1098, 1102; Pub. L. 99–272, title IX, § 9211(a)–(d), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 178, 179; Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, §§ 9312(b)(1), (c)(1), (2), (d)(1), (e)(1), (f), 9353(e)(2), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1999–2001, 2048; Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1895(b)(11)(A), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2934; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §§ 4011(a)(1), (b)(1), 4012(b), 4013(a), 4014, 4018(a), 4039(h)(8), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–60, 1330–61, 1330–65, as amended Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, § 411(c)(3), (e)(3), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 773, 776; Pub. L. 100–360, title II, §§ 202(f), 211(c)(3), 224, title IV, § 411(c)(1), (4), (6), formerly (5), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 717, 738, 748, 772, 773, as amended Pub. L. 100–485, title VI, § 608(d)(19)(B), (C), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2419; Pub. L. 100–647, title VIII, § 8412(a)(1), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3801; Pub. L. 101–234, title II, §§ 201(a), 202(a), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1981; Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, §§ 6206(a)(1), (b)(1), 6212(b)(1), (c)(2), 6411(d)(3)(A), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2244, 2250, 2271; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, §§ 4204(a)(1), (2), (c)(1), (2), (d)(1), (e)(1), 4206(b)(1), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–108 to 1388–111, 1388–116; Pub. L. 103–296, title I, § 108(c)(6), Aug. 15, 1994, 108 Stat. 1486; Pub. L. 103–432, title I, § 157(b)(1), (4), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4442; Pub. L. 104–191, title II, §§ 215(a), (b), 231(g), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 2005–2007, 2014; Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4002(a)–(b)(2)(A), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 328, 329; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, 1000(a)(6) [title V, § 503], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–380; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title VI, § 634], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–568; Pub. L. 108–173, title II, § 234, title VII, § 736(d)(2), title IX, § 940(b)(2)(B), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2209, 2357, 2417; Pub. L. 110–173, title I, § 109, Dec. 29, 2007, 121 Stat. 2497; Pub. L. 110–275, title I, § 167(a)–(c), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2575, 2576; Pub. L. 111–148, title III, § 3206, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 459; Pub. L. 112–40, title II, § 261(a)(3)(A), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 423; Pub. L. 112–240, title VI, § 608, Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2349; Pub. L. 113–67, div. B, title I, § 1108, Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 1197; Pub. L. 113–93, title I, § 108, Apr. 1, 2014, 128 Stat. 1043; Pub. L. 114–10, title II, § 209(a), Apr. 16, 2015, 129 Stat. 146.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395mm

§ 1395nn. Limitation on certain physician referrals
(a) Prohibition of certain referrals
(1) In generalExcept as provided in subsection (b), if a physician (or an immediate family member of such physician) has a financial relationship with an entity specified in paragraph (2), then—
(A) the physician may not make a referral to the entity for the furnishing of designated health services for which payment otherwise may be made under this subchapter, and
(B) the entity may not present or cause to be presented a claim under this subchapter or bill to any individual, third party payor, or other entity for designated health services furnished pursuant to a referral prohibited under subparagraph (A).
(2) Financial relationship specifiedFor purposes of this section, a financial relationship of a physician (or an immediate family member of such physician) with an entity specified in this paragraph is—
(A) except as provided in subsections (c) and (d), an ownership or investment interest in the entity, or
(B) except as provided in subsection (e), a compensation arrangement (as defined in subsection (h)(1)) between the physician (or an immediate family member of such physician) and the entity.
An ownership or investment interest described in subparagraph (A) may be through equity, debt, or other means and includes an interest in an entity that holds an ownership or investment interest in any entity providing the designated health service.
(b) General exceptions to both ownership and compensation arrangement prohibitionsSubsection (a)(1) shall not apply in the following cases:
(1) Physicians’ services
(2) In-office ancillary servicesIn the case of services (other than durable medical equipment (excluding infusion pumps) and parenteral and enteral nutrients, equipment, and supplies)—
(A) that are furnished—
(i) personally by the referring physician, personally by a physician who is a member of the same group practice as the referring physician, or personally by individuals who are directly supervised by the physician or by another physician in the group practice, and
(ii)(I) in a building in which the referring physician (or another physician who is a member of the same group practice) furnishes physicians’ services unrelated to the furnishing of designated health services, or(II) in the case of a referring physician who is a member of a group practice, in another building which is used by the group practice—(aa) for the provision of some or all of the group’s clinical laboratory services, or(bb) for the centralized provision of the group’s designated health services (other than clinical laboratory services),
 unless the Secretary determines other terms and conditions under which the provision of such services does not present a risk of program or patient abuse, and
(B) that are billed by the physician performing or supervising the services, by a group practice of which such physician is a member under a billing number assigned to the group practice, or by an entity that is wholly owned by such physician or such group practice,
if the ownership or investment interest in such services meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse. Such requirements shall, with respect to magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, positron emission tomography, and any other designated health services specified under subsection (h)(6)(D) that the Secretary determines appropriate, include a requirement that the referring physician inform the individual in writing at the time of the referral that the individual may obtain the services for which the individual is being referred from a person other than a person described in subparagraph (A)(i) and provide such individual with a written list of suppliers (as defined in section 1395x(d) of this title) who furnish such services in the area in which such individual resides.
(3) Prepaid plansIn the case of services furnished by an organization—
(A) with a contract under section 1395mm of this title to an individual enrolled with the organization,
(B) described in section 1395l(a)(1)(A) of this title to an individual enrolled with the organization,
(C) receiving payments on a prepaid basis, under a demonstration project under section 1395b–1(a) of this title or under section 222(a) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972, to an individual enrolled with the organization,
(D) that is a qualified health maintenance organization (within the meaning of section 300e–9(d) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of this title) to an individual enrolled with the organization, or
(E) that is a Medicare+Choice organization under part C that is offering a coordinated care plan described in section 1395w–21(a)(2)(A) of this title to an individual enrolled with the organization.
(4) Other permissible exceptions
(5) Electronic prescribing
(c) General exception related only to ownership or investment prohibition for ownership in publicly traded securities and mutual fundsOwnership of the following shall not be considered to be an ownership or investment interest described in subsection (a)(2)(A):
(1) Ownership of investment securities (including shares or bonds, debentures, notes, or other debt instruments) which may be purchased on terms generally available to the public and which are—
(A)
(i) securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, or any regional exchange in which quotations are published on a daily basis, or foreign securities listed on a recognized foreign, national, or regional exchange in which quotations are published on a daily basis, or
(ii) traded under an automated interdealer quotation system operated by the National Association of Securities Dealers, and
(B) in a corporation that had, at the end of the corporation’s most recent fiscal year, or on average during the previous 3 fiscal years, stockholder equity exceeding $75,000,000.
(2) Ownership of shares in a regulated investment company as defined in section 851(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, if such company had, at the end of the company’s most recent fiscal year, or on average during the previous 3 fiscal years, total assets exceeding $75,000,000.
(d) Additional exceptions related only to ownership or investment prohibitionThe following, if not otherwise excepted under subsection (b), shall not be considered to be an ownership or investment interest described in subsection (a)(2)(A):
(1) Hospitals in Puerto Rico
(2) Rural providersIn the case of designated health services furnished in a rural area (as defined in section 1395ww(d)(2)(D) of this title) by an entity, if—
(A) substantially all of the designated health services furnished by the entity are furnished to individuals residing in such a rural area;
(B) effective for the 18-month period beginning on December 8, 2003, the entity is not a specialty hospital (as defined in subsection (h)(7)); and
(C) in the case where the entity is a hospital, the hospital meets the requirements of paragraph (3)(D).
(3) Hospital ownershipIn the case of designated health services provided by a hospital (other than a hospital described in paragraph (1)) if—
(A) the referring physician is authorized to perform services at the hospital;
(B) effective for the 18-month period beginning on December 8, 2003, the hospital is not a specialty hospital (as defined in subsection (h)(7));
(C) the ownership or investment interest is in the hospital itself (and not merely in a subdivision of the hospital); and
(D) the hospital meets the requirements described in subsection (i)(1) not later than 18 months after March 23, 2010.
(e) Exceptions relating to other compensation arrangementsThe following shall not be considered to be a compensation arrangement described in subsection (a)(2)(B):
(1) Rental of office space; rental of equipment
(A) Office spacePayments made by a lessee to a lessor for the use of premises if—
(i) the lease is set out in writing, signed by the parties, and specifies the premises covered by the lease,
(ii) the space rented or leased does not exceed that which is reasonable and necessary for the legitimate business purposes of the lease or rental and is used exclusively by the lessee when being used by the lessee, except that the lessee may make payments for the use of space consisting of common areas if such payments do not exceed the lessee’s pro rata share of expenses for such space based upon the ratio of the space used exclusively by the lessee to the total amount of space (other than common areas) occupied by all persons using such common areas,
(iii) the lease provides for a term of rental or lease for at least 1 year,
(iv) the rental charges over the term of the lease are set in advance, are consistent with fair market value, and are not determined in a manner that takes into account the volume or value of any referrals or other business generated between the parties,
(v) the lease would be commercially reasonable even if no referrals were made between the parties, and
(vi) the lease meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse.
(B) EquipmentPayments made by a lessee of equipment to the lessor of the equipment for the use of the equipment if—
(i) the lease is set out in writing, signed by the parties, and specifies the equipment covered by the lease,
(ii) the equipment rented or leased does not exceed that which is reasonable and necessary for the legitimate business purposes of the lease or rental and is used exclusively by the lessee when being used by the lessee,
(iii) the lease provides for a term of rental or lease of at least 1 year,
(iv) the rental charges over the term of the lease are set in advance, are consistent with fair market value, and are not determined in a manner that takes into account the volume or value of any referrals or other business generated between the parties,
(v) the lease would be commercially reasonable even if no referrals were made between the parties, and
(vi) the lease meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse.
(C) Holdover lease arrangementsIn the case of a holdover lease arrangement for the lease of office space or equipment, which immediately follows a lease arrangement described in subparagraph (A) for the use of such office space or subparagraph (B) for the use of such equipment and that expired after a term of at least 1 year, payments made by the lessee to the lessor pursuant to such holdover lease arrangement, if—
(i) the lease arrangement met the conditions of subparagraph (A) for the lease of office space or subparagraph (B) for the use of equipment when the arrangement expired;
(ii) the holdover lease arrangement is on the same terms and conditions as the immediately preceding arrangement; and
(iii) the holdover arrangement continues to satisfy the conditions of subparagraph (A) for the lease of office space or subparagraph (B) for the use of equipment.
(2) Bona fide employment relationshipsAny amount paid by an employer to a physician (or an immediate family member of such physician) who has a bona fide employment relationship with the employer for the provision of services if—
(A) the employment is for identifiable services,
(B) the amount of the remuneration under the employment—
(i) is consistent with the fair market value of the services, and
(ii) is not determined in a manner that takes into account (directly or indirectly) the volume or value of any referrals by the referring physician,
(C) the remuneration is provided pursuant to an agreement which would be commercially reasonable even if no referrals were made to the employer, and
(D) the employment meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse.
Subparagraph (B)(ii) shall not prohibit the payment of remuneration in the form of a productivity bonus based on services performed personally by the physician (or an immediate family member of such physician).
(3) Personal service arrangements
(A) In generalRemuneration from an entity under an arrangement (including remuneration for specific physicians’ services furnished to a nonprofit blood center) if—
(i) the arrangement is set out in writing, signed by the parties, and specifies the services covered by the arrangement,
(ii) the arrangement covers all of the services to be provided by the physician (or an immediate family member of such physician) to the entity,
(iii) the aggregate services contracted for do not exceed those that are reasonable and necessary for the legitimate business purposes of the arrangement,
(iv) the term of the arrangement is for at least 1 year,
(v) the compensation to be paid over the term of the arrangement is set in advance, does not exceed fair market value, and except in the case of a physician incentive plan described in subparagraph (B), is not determined in a manner that takes into account the volume or value of any referrals or other business generated between the parties,
(vi) the services to be performed under the arrangement do not involve the counseling or promotion or a business arrangement or other activity that violates any State or Federal law, and
(vii) the arrangement meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse.
(B) Physician incentive plan exception
(i) In generalIn the case of a physician incentive plan (as defined in clause (ii)) between a physician and an entity, the compensation may be determined in a manner (through a withhold, capitation, bonus, or otherwise) that takes into account directly or indirectly the volume or value of any referrals or other business generated between the parties, if the plan meets the following requirements:(I) No specific payment is made directly or indirectly under the plan to a physician or a physician group as an inducement to reduce or limit medically necessary services provided with respect to a specific individual enrolled with the entity.(II) In the case of a plan that places a physician or a physician group at substantial financial risk as determined by the Secretary pursuant to section 1395mm(i)(8)(A)(ii) of this title, the plan complies with any requirements the Secretary may impose pursuant to such section.(III) Upon request by the Secretary, the entity provides the Secretary with access to descriptive information regarding the plan, in order to permit the Secretary to determine whether the plan is in compliance with the requirements of this clause.
(ii) “Physician incentive plan” defined
(C) Holdover personal service arrangementIn the case of a holdover personal service arrangement, which immediately follows an arrangement described in subparagraph (A) that expired after a term of at least 1 year, remuneration from an entity pursuant to such holdover personal service arrangement, if—
(i) the personal service arrangement met the conditions of subparagraph (A) when the arrangement expired;
(ii) the holdover personal service arrangement is on the same terms and conditions as the immediately preceding arrangement; and
(iii) the holdover arrangement continues to satisfy the conditions of subparagraph (A).
(4) Remuneration unrelated to the provision of designated health services
(5) Physician recruitmentIn the case of remuneration which is provided by a hospital to a physician to induce the physician to relocate to the geographic area served by the hospital in order to be a member of the medical staff of the hospital, if—
(A) the physician is not required to refer patients to the hospital,
(B) the amount of the remuneration under the arrangement is not determined in a manner that takes into account (directly or indirectly) the volume or value of any referrals by the referring physician, and
(C) the arrangement meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse.
(6) Isolated transactionsIn the case of an isolated financial transaction, such as a one-time sale of property or practice, if—
(A) the requirements described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (2) are met with respect to the entity in the same manner as they apply to an employer, and
(B) the transaction meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse.
(7) Certain group practice arrangements with a hospital
(A)2
2 So in original. No subpar. (B) has been enacted.
In generalAn arrangement between a hospital and a group under which designated health services are provided by the group but are billed by the hospital if—
(i) with respect to services provided to an inpatient of the hospital, the arrangement is pursuant to the provision of inpatient hospital services under section 1395x(b)(3) of this title,
(ii) the arrangement began before December 19, 1989, and has continued in effect without interruption since such date,
(iii) with respect to the designated health services covered under the arrangement, substantially all of such services furnished to patients of the hospital are furnished by the group under the arrangement,
(iv) the arrangement is pursuant to an agreement that is set out in writing and that specifies the services to be provided by the parties and the compensation for services provided under the agreement,
(v) the compensation paid over the term of the agreement is consistent with fair market value and the compensation per unit of services is fixed in advance and is not determined in a manner that takes into account the volume or value of any referrals or other business generated between the parties,
(vi) the compensation is provided pursuant to an agreement which would be commercially reasonable even if no referrals were made to the entity, and
(vii) the arrangement between the parties meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse.
(8) Payments by a physician for items and servicesPayments made by a physician—
(A) to a laboratory in exchange for the provision of clinical laboratory services, or
(B) to an entity as compensation for other items or services if the items or services are furnished at a price that is consistent with fair market value.
(9) Physician wellness programsA bona fide mental health or behavioral health improvement or maintenance program offered to a physician by an entity, if—
(A) such program—
(i) consists of counseling, mental health services, a suicide prevention program, or a substance use disorder prevention and treatment program;
(ii) is made available to a physician for the primary purpose of preventing suicide, improving mental health and resiliency, or providing training in appropriate strategies to promote the mental health and resiliency of such physician;
(iii) is set out in a written policy, approved in advance of the operation of the program by the governing body of the entity providing such program (and which shall be updated accordingly in advance to substantial changes to the operation of such program), that includes—(I) a description of the span and duration of the program;(II) a description of the evidence-based support for the design of the program;(III) the estimated cost of the program;(IV) the personnel (including the qualifications of such personnel) conducting the program; and(V) the method by which such entity will evaluate the use and success of the program;
(iv) is offered by an entity described in subparagraph (B) with a formal medical staff to all physicians who practice in the geographic area served by such entity, including physicians who hold bona fide appointments to the medical staff of such entity or otherwise have clinical privileges at such entity;
(v) is offered to all such physicians on the same terms and conditions and without regard to the volume or value of referrals or other business generated by a physician for such entity;
(vi) is evidence-based and conducted by a qualified health professional; and
(vii) meets such other requirements the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse;
(B) such entity is—
(i) a hospital;
(ii) an ambulatory surgical center;
(iii) a community health center;
(iv) a rural emergency hospital;
(v) a rural health clinic;
(vi) a skilled nursing facility; or
(vii) a similar entity, as determined by the Secretary; and
(C) neither the provision of such program, nor the value of such program, are contingent upon the number or value of referrals made by a physician to such entity or the amount or value of other business generated by such physician for the entity.
(f) Reporting requirementsEach entity providing covered items or services for which payment may be made under this subchapter shall provide the Secretary with the information concerning the entity’s ownership, investment, and compensation arrangements, including—
(1) the covered items and services provided by the entity, and
(2) the names and unique physician identification numbers of all physicians with an ownership or investment interest (as described in subsection (a)(2)(A)), or with a compensation arrangement (as described in subsection (a)(2)(B)), in the entity, or whose immediate relatives have such an ownership or investment interest or who have such a compensation relationship with the entity.
Such information shall be provided in such form, manner, and at such times as the Secretary shall specify. The requirement of this subsection shall not apply to designated health services provided outside the United States or to entities which the Secretary determines provides 3
3 So in original. Probably should be “provide”.
services for which payment may be made under this subchapter very infrequently.
(g) Sanctions
(1) Denial of payment
(2) Requiring refunds for certain claims
(3) Civil money penalty and exclusion for improper claims
(4) Civil money penalty and exclusion for circumvention schemes
(5) Failure to report information
(6) Advisory opinions
(A) In general
(B) Application of certain rules
(C) Regulations
(D) Applicability
(h) Definitions and special rulesFor purposes of this section:
(1) Compensation arrangement; remuneration
(A) The term “compensation arrangement” means any arrangement involving any remuneration between a physician (or an immediate family member of such physician) and an entity other than an arrangement involving only remuneration described in subparagraph (C).
(B) The term “remuneration” includes any remuneration, directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind.
(C) Remuneration described in this subparagraph is any remuneration consisting of any of the following:
(i) The forgiveness of amounts owed for inaccurate tests or procedures, mistakenly performed tests or procedures, or the correction of minor billing errors.
(ii) The provision of items, devices, or supplies that are used solely to—(I) collect, transport, process, or store specimens for the entity providing the item, device, or supply, or(II) order or communicate the results of tests or procedures for such entity.
(iii) A payment made by an insurer or a self-insured plan to a physician to satisfy a claim, submitted on a fee for service basis, for the furnishing of health services by that physician to an individual who is covered by a policy with the insurer or by the self-insured plan, if—(I) the health services are not furnished, and the payment is not made, pursuant to a contract or other arrangement between the insurer or the plan and the physician,(II) the payment is made to the physician on behalf of the covered individual and would otherwise be made directly to such individual,(III) the amount of the payment is set in advance, does not exceed fair market value, and is not determined in a manner that takes into account directly or indirectly the volume or value of any referrals, and(IV) the payment meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse.
(D)Written requirement clarified.—In the case of any requirement pursuant to this section for a compensation arrangement to be in writing, such requirement shall be satisfied by such means as determined by the Secretary, including by a collection of documents, including contemporaneous documents evidencing the course of conduct between the parties involved.
(E)Special rule for signature requirements.—In the case of any requirement pursuant to this section for a compensation arrangement to be in writing and signed by the parties, such signature requirement shall be met if—
(i) not later than 90 consecutive calendar days immediately following the date on which the compensation arrangement became noncompliant, the parties obtain the required signatures; and
(ii) the compensation arrangement otherwise complies with all criteria of the applicable exception.
(2) Employee
(3) Fair market value
(4) Group practice
(A) Definition of group practiceThe term “group practice” means a group of 2 or more physicians legally organized as a partnership, professional corporation, foundation, not-for-profit corporation, faculty practice plan, or similar association—
(i) in which each physician who is a member of the group provides substantially the full range of services which the physician routinely provides, including medical care, consultation, diagnosis, or treatment, through the joint use of shared office space, facilities, equipment and personnel,
(ii) for which substantially all of the services of the physicians who are members of the group are provided through the group and are billed under a billing number assigned to the group and amounts so received are treated as receipts of the group,
(iii) in which the overhead expenses of and the income from the practice are distributed in accordance with methods previously determined,
(iv) except as provided in subparagraph (B)(i), in which no physician who is a member of the group directly or indirectly receives compensation based on the volume or value of referrals by the physician,
(v) in which members of the group personally conduct no less than 75 percent of the physician-patient encounters of the group practice, and
(vi) which meets such other standards as the Secretary may impose by regulation.
(B) Special rules
(i) Profits and productivity bonuses
(ii) Faculty practice plans
(5) Referral; referring physician
(A) Physicians’ services
(B) Other items
(C) Clarification respecting certain services integral to a consultation by certain specialists
(6) Designated health servicesThe term “designated health services” means any of the following items or services:
(A) Clinical laboratory services.
(B) Physical therapy services.
(C) Occupational therapy services.
(D) Radiology services, including magnetic resonance imaging, computerized axial tomography scans, and ultrasound services.
(E) Radiation therapy services and supplies.
(F) Durable medical equipment and supplies.
(G) Parenteral and enteral nutrients, equipment, and supplies.
(H) Prosthetics, orthotics, and prosthetic devices and supplies.
(I) Home health services.
(J) Outpatient prescription drugs.
(K) Inpatient and outpatient hospital services.
(L) Outpatient speech-language pathology services.
(7) Specialty hospital
(A) In generalFor purposes of this section, except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term “specialty hospital” means a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in section 1395ww(d)(1)(B) of this title) that is primarily or exclusively engaged in the care and treatment of one of the following categories:
(i) Patients with a cardiac condition.
(ii) Patients with an orthopedic condition.
(iii) Patients receiving a surgical procedure.
(iv) Any other specialized category of services that the Secretary designates as inconsistent with the purpose of permitting physician ownership and investment interests in a hospital under this section.
(B) ExceptionFor purposes of this section, the term “specialty hospital” does not include any hospital—
(i) determined by the Secretary—(I) to be in operation before November 18, 2003; or(II) under development as of such date;
(ii) for which the number of physician investors at any time on or after such date is no greater than the number of such investors as of such date;
(iii) for which the type of categories described in subparagraph (A) at any time on or after such date is no different than the type of such categories as of such date;
(iv) for which any increase in the number of beds occurs only in the facilities on the main campus of the hospital and does not exceed 50 percent of the number of beds in the hospital as of November 18, 2003, or 5 beds, whichever is greater; and
(v) that meets such other requirements as the Secretary may specify.
(i) Requirements for hospitals to qualify for rural provider and hospital exception to ownership or investment prohibition
(1) Requirements describedFor purposes of subsection (d)(3)(D), the requirements described in this paragraph for a hospital are as follows:
(A) Provider agreementThe hospital had—
(i) physician ownership or investment on December 31, 2010; and
(ii) a provider agreement under section 1395cc of this title in effect on such date.
(B) Limitation on expansion of facility capacity
(C) Preventing conflicts of interest
(i) The hospital submits to the Secretary an annual report containing a detailed description of—(I) the identity of each physician owner or investor and any other owners or investors of the hospital; and(II) the nature and extent of all ownership and investment interests in the hospital.
(ii) The hospital has procedures in place to require that any referring physician owner or investor discloses to the patient being referred, by a time that permits the patient to make a meaningful decision regarding the receipt of care, as determined by the Secretary—(I) the ownership or investment interest, as applicable, of such referring physician in the hospital; and(II) if applicable, any such ownership or investment interest of the treating physician.
(iii) The hospital does not condition any physician ownership or investment interests either directly or indirectly on the physician owner or investor making or influencing referrals to the hospital or otherwise generating business for the hospital.
(iv) The hospital discloses the fact that the hospital is partially owned or invested in by physicians—(I) on any public website for the hospital; and(II) in any public advertising for the hospital.
(D) Ensuring bona fide investment
(i) The percentage of the total value of the ownership or investment interests held in the hospital, or in an entity whose assets include the hospital, by physician owners or investors in the aggregate does not exceed such percentage as of March 23, 2010.
(ii) Any ownership or investment interests that the hospital offers to a physician owner or investor are not offered on more favorable terms than the terms offered to a person who is not a physician owner or investor.
(iii) The hospital (or any owner or investor in the hospital) does not directly or indirectly provide loans or financing for any investment in the hospital by a physician owner or investor.
(iv) The hospital (or any owner or investor in the hospital) does not directly or indirectly guarantee a loan, make a payment toward a loan, or otherwise subsidize a loan, for any individual physician owner or investor or group of physician owners or investors that is related to acquiring any ownership or investment interest in the hospital.
(v) Ownership or investment returns are distributed to each owner or investor in the hospital in an amount that is directly proportional to the ownership or investment interest of such owner or investor in the hospital.
(vi) Physician owners and investors do not receive, directly or indirectly, any guaranteed receipt of or right to purchase other business interests related to the hospital, including the purchase or lease of any property under the control of other owners or investors in the hospital or located near the premises of the hospital.
(vii) The hospital does not offer a physician owner or investor the opportunity to purchase or lease any property under the control of the hospital or any other owner or investor in the hospital on more favorable terms than the terms offered to an individual who is not a physician owner or investor.
(E) Patient safety
(i) Insofar as the hospital admits a patient and does not have any physician available on the premises to provide services during all hours in which the hospital is providing services to such patient, before admitting the patient—(I) the hospital discloses such fact to a patient; and(II) following such disclosure, the hospital receives from the patient a signed acknowledgment that the patient understands such fact.
(ii) The hospital has the capacity to—(I) provide assessment and initial treatment for patients; and(II) refer and transfer patients to hospitals with the capability to treat the needs of the patient involved.
(F) Limitation on application to certain converted facilities
(2) Publication of information reported
(3) Exception to prohibition on expansion of facility capacity
(A) Process
(i) Establishment
(ii) Opportunity for community input
(iii) Timing for implementation
(iv) Regulations
(B) Frequency
(C) Permitted increase
(i) In general
(ii) 100 percent increase limitation
(iii) Baseline number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, and beds
(D) Increase limited to facilities on the main campus of the hospital
(E) Applicable hospitalIn this paragraph, the term “applicable hospital” means a hospital—
(i) that is located in a county in which the percentage increase in the population during the most recent 5-year period (as of the date of the application under subparagraph (A)) is at least 150 percent of the percentage increase in the population growth of the State in which the hospital is located during that period, as estimated by Bureau of the Census;
(ii) whose annual percent of total inpatient admissions that represent inpatient admissions under the program under subchapter XIX is equal to or greater than the average percent with respect to such admissions for all hospitals located in the county in which the hospital is located;
(iii) that does not discriminate against beneficiaries of Federal health care programs and does not permit physicians practicing at the hospital to discriminate against such beneficiaries;
(iv) that is located in a State in which the average bed capacity in the State is less than the national average bed capacity; and
(v) that has an average bed occupancy rate that is greater than the average bed occupancy rate in the State in which the hospital is located.
(F) High Medicaid facility describedA high Medicaid facility described in this subparagraph is a hospital that—
(i) is not the sole hospital in a county;
(ii) with respect to each of the 3 most recent years for which data are available, has an annual percent of total inpatient admissions that represent inpatient admissions under subchapter XIX that is estimated to be greater than such percent with respect to such admissions for any other hospital located in the county in which the hospital is located; and
(iii) meets the conditions described in subparagraph (E)(iii).
(G) Procedure rooms
(H) Publication of final decisions
(I) Limitation on review
(4) Collection of ownership and investment information
(5) Physician owner or investor defined
(6) Clarification
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1877, as added Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, § 6204(a), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2236; amended Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, § 4207(e)(1)–(3), (k)(2), formerly § 4027(e)(1)–(3), (k)(2), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–121, 1388–122, 1388–124, renumbered Pub. L. 103–432, title I, § 160(d)(4), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4444; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13562(a), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 596; Pub. L. 103–432, title I, § 152(a), (b), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4436; Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4314, Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 389; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(6) [title V, § 524(a)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–387; Pub. L. 108–173, title I, § 101(e)(8)(B), title V, § 507(a), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2152, 2295; Pub. L. 110–275, title I, § 143(b)(9), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2543; Pub. L. 111–148, title VI, §§ 6001(a), 6003(a), title X, § 10601(a), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 684, 697, 1005; Pub. L. 111–152, title I, § 1106,

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395nn

§ 1395oo. Provider Reimbursement Review Board
(a) EstablishmentAny provider of services which has filed a required cost report within the time specified in regulations may obtain a hearing with respect to such cost report by a Provider Reimbursement Review Board (hereinafter referred to as the “Board”) which shall be established by the Secretary in accordance with subsection (h) and (except as provided in subsection (g)(2)) any hospital which receives payments in amounts computed under subsection (b) or (d) of section 1395ww of this title and which has submitted such reports within such time as the Secretary may require in order to make payment under such section may obtain a hearing with respect to such payment by the Board, if—
(1) such provider—
(A)
(i) is dissatisfied with a final determination of the organization serving as its fiscal intermediary pursuant to section 1395h of this title as to the amount of total program reimbursement due the provider for the items and services furnished to individuals for which payment may be made under this subchapter for the period covered by such report, or
(ii) is dissatisfied with a final determination of the Secretary as to the amount of the payment under subsection (b) or (d) of section 1395ww of this title,
(B) has not received such final determination from such intermediary on a timely basis after filing such report, where such report complied with the rules and regulations of the Secretary relating to such report, or
(C) has not received such final determination on a timely basis after filing a supplementary cost report, where such cost report did not so comply and such supplementary cost report did so comply,
(2) the amount in controversy is $10,000 or more, and
(3) such provider files a request for a hearing within 180 days after notice of the intermediary’s final determination under paragraph (1)(A)(i), or with respect to appeals under paragraph (1)(A)(ii), 180 days after notice of the Secretary’s final determination, or with respect to appeals pursuant to paragraph (1) (B) or (C), within 180 days after notice of such determination would have been received if such determination had been made on a timely basis.
(b) Appeals by groups
(c) Right to counsel; rules of evidence
(d) Decisions of Board
(e) Rules and regulations
(f) Finality of decision; judicial review; determinations of Board authority; jurisdiction; venue; interest on amount in controversy
(1) A decision of the Board shall be final unless the Secretary, on his own motion, and within 60 days after the provider of services is notified of the Board’s decision, reverses, affirms, or modifies the Board’s decision. Providers shall have the right to obtain judicial review of any final decision of the Board, or of any reversal, affirmance, or modification by the Secretary, by a civil action commenced within 60 days of the date on which notice of any final decision by the Board or of any reversal, affirmance, or modification by the Secretary is received. Providers shall also have the right to obtain judicial review of any action of the fiscal intermediary which involves a question of law or regulations relevant to the matters in controversy whenever the Board determines (on its own motion or at the request of a provider of services as described in the following sentence) that it is without authority to decide the question, by a civil action commenced within sixty days of the date on which notification of such determination is received. If a provider of services may obtain a hearing under subsection (a) and has filed a request for such a hearing, such provider may file a request for a determination by the Board of its authority to decide the question of law or regulations relevant to the matters in controversy (accompanied by such documents and materials as the Board shall require for purposes of rendering such determination). The Board shall render such determination in writing within thirty days after the Board receives the request and such accompanying documents and materials, and the determination shall be considered a final decision and not subject to review by the Secretary. If the Board fails to render such determination within such period, the provider may bring a civil action (within sixty days of the end of such period) with respect to the matter in controversy contained in such request for a hearing. Such action shall be brought in the district court of the United States for the judicial district in which the provider is located (or, in an action brought jointly by several providers, the judicial district in which the greatest number of such providers are located) or in the District Court for the District of Columbia and shall be tried pursuant to the applicable provisions under chapter 7 of title 5 notwithstanding any other provisions in section 405 of this title. Any appeal to the Board or action for judicial review by providers which are under common ownership or control or which have obtained a hearing under subsection (b) must be brought by such providers as a group with respect to any matter involving an issue common to such providers.
(2) Where a provider seeks judicial review pursuant to paragraph (1), the amount in controversy shall be subject to annual interest beginning on the first day of the first month beginning after the 180-day period as determined pursuant to subsection (a)(3) and equal to the rate of interest on obligations issued for purchase by the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for the month in which the civil action authorized under paragraph (1) is commenced, to be awarded by the reviewing court in favor of the prevailing party.
(3) No interest awarded pursuant to paragraph (2) shall be deemed income or cost for the purposes of determining reimbursement due providers under this chapter.
(g) Certain findings not reviewable
(1) The finding of a fiscal intermediary that no payment may be made under this subchapter for any expenses incurred for items or services furnished to an individual because such items or services are listed in section 1395y of this title shall not be reviewed by the Board, or by any court pursuant to an action brought under subsection (f).
(2) The determinations and other decisions described in section 1395ww(d)(7) of this title shall not be reviewed by the Board or by any court pursuant to an action brought under subsection (f) or otherwise.
(h) Composition and compensation
(i) Technical and clerical assistance
(j) “Provider of services” defined
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1878, as added Pub. L. 92–603, title II, § 243(a), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1420; amended Pub. L. 93–484, § 3(a), Oct. 26, 1974, 88 Stat. 1459; Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, § 955, Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2647; Pub. L. 98–21, title VI, § 602(h), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 165; Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, §§ 2351(a)(1), (b)(1), 2354(b)(39), (40), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1098, 1099, 1102; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, § 4161(a)(6), (b)(4), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–94, 1388–95; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13503(c)(1)(B), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 579.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395oo

§ 1395pp. Limitation on liability where claims are disallowed
(a) Conditions prerequisite to payment for items and services notwithstanding determination of disallowanceWhere—
(1) a determination is made that, by reason of section 1395y(a)(1) or (9) of this title or by reason of a coverage denial described in subsection (g), payment may not be made under part A or part B of this subchapter for any expenses incurred for items or services furnished an individual by a provider of services or by another person pursuant to an assignment under section 1395u(b)(3)(B)(ii) of this title, and
(2) both such individual and such provider of services or such other person, as the case may be, did not know, and could not reasonably have been expected to know, that payment would not be made for such items or services under such part A or part B,
then to the extent permitted by this subchapter, payment shall, notwithstanding such determination, be made for such items or services (and for such period of time as the Secretary finds will carry out the objectives of this subchapter), as though section 1395y(a)(1) and section 1395y(a)(9) of this title did not apply and as though the coverage denial described in subsection (g) had not occurred. In each such case the Secretary shall notify both such individual and such provider of services or such other person, as the case may be, of the conditions under which payment for such items or services was made and in the case of comparable situations arising thereafter with respect to such individual or such provider or such other person, each shall, by reason of such notice (or similar notices provided before the enactment of this section), be deemed to have knowledge that payment cannot be made for such items or services or reasonably comparable items or services. Any provider or other person furnishing items or services for which payment may not be made by reason of section 1395y(a)(1) or (9) of this title or by reason of a coverage denial described in subsection (g) shall be deemed to have knowledge that payment cannot be made for such items or services if the claim relating to such items or services involves a case, provider or other person furnishing services, procedure, or test, with respect to which such provider or other person has been notified by the Secretary (including notification by a quality improvement organization) that a pattern of inappropriate utilization has occurred in the past, and such provider or other person has been allowed a reasonable time to correct such inappropriate utilization.
(b) Knowledge of person or provider that payment could not be made; indemnification of individual
(c) Knowledge of both provider and individual to whom items or services were furnished that payment could not be made
(d) Exercise of rights
(e) Payment where beneficiary not at fault
(f) Presumption with respect to coverage denial; rebuttal; requirements; “fiscal intermediary” defined
(1) A home health agency which meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (3) and (4) shall be presumed to meet the requirement of subsection (a)(2).
(2) The presumption of paragraph (1) with respect to specific services may be rebutted by actual or imputed knowledge of the facts described in subsection (a)(2), including any of the following:
(A) Notice by the fiscal intermediary of the fact that payment may not be made under this subchapter with respect to the services.
(B) It is clear and obvious that the provider should have known at the time the services were furnished that they were excluded from coverage.
(3) The requirements of this paragraph are as follows:
(A) The agency complies with requirements of the Secretary under this subchapter respecting timely submittal of bills for payment and medical documentation.
(B) The agency program has reasonable procedures to notify promptly each patient (and the patient’s physician) where it is determined that a patient is being or will be furnished items or services which are excluded from coverage under this subchapter.
(4)
(A) The requirement of this paragraph is that, on the basis of bills submitted by a home health agency during the previous quarter, the rate of denial of bills for the agency by reason of a coverage denial described in subsection (g) does not exceed 2.5 percent, computed based on visits for home health services billed.
(B) For purposes of determining the rate of denial of bills for a home health agency under subparagraph (A), a bill shall not be considered to be denied until the expiration of the 60-day period that begins on the date such bill is denied by the fiscal intermediary, or, with respect to such a denial for which the agency requests reconsideration, until the fiscal intermediary issues a decision denying payment for such bill.
(5) In this subsection, the term “fiscal intermediary” means, with respect to a home health agency, an agency or organization with an agreement under section 1395h of this title with respect to the agency.
(6) The Secretary shall monitor the proportion of denied bills submitted by home health agencies for which reconsideration is requested, and shall notify Congress if the proportion of denials reversed upon reconsideration increases significantly.
(g) Coverage denial definedThe coverage denial described in this subsection is—
(1) with respect to the provision of home health services to an individual, a failure to meet the requirements of section 1395f(a)(2)(C) of this title or section 1395n(a)(2)(A) of this title in that the individual—
(A) is or was not confined to his home, or
(B) does or did not need skilled nursing care on an intermittent basis; and
(2) with respect to the provision of hospice care to an individual, a determination that the individual is not terminally ill.
(h) Supplier responsibility for items furnished on assignment basisIf a supplier of medical equipment and supplies (as defined in section 1395m(j)(5) of this title)—
(1) furnishes an item or service to a beneficiary for which no payment may be made by reason of section 1395m(j)(1) of this title;
(2) furnishes an item or service to a beneficiary for which payment is denied in advance under section 1395m(a)(15) of this title; or
(3) furnishes an item or service to a beneficiary for which no payment may be made by reason of section 1395m(a)(17)(B) of this title,
any expenses incurred for items and services furnished to an individual by such a supplier on an assignment-related basis shall be the responsibility of such supplier. The individual shall have no financial responsibility for such expenses and the supplier shall refund on a timely basis to the individual (and shall be liable to the individual for) any amounts collected from the individual for such items or services. The provisions of section 1395m(a)(18) of this title shall apply to refunds required under the previous sentence in the same manner as such provisions apply to refunds under such section.
(i) Hospice program eligibility recertification
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1879, as added Pub. L. 92–603, title II, § 213(a), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1384; amended Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, § 956(a), Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2648; Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §§ 145, 148(e), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 393, 394; Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, §§ 9305(g)(1), 9341(a)(3), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1991, 2038; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, § 4096(b), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–139; Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, § 6214(a), (b), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2252; Pub. L. 103–432, title I, § 133(b), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4421; Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4447, Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 424; Pub. L. 112–40, title II, § 261(a)(3)(A), (B), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 423; Pub. L. 113–185, § 3(b), Oct. 6, 2014, 128 Stat. 1969.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395pp

§ 1395qq. Indian Health Service facilities
(a) Eligibility for payments; conditions and requirements
(b) Eligibility based on submission of plan to achieve compliance with conditions and requirements; twelve-month period
(c) Payments into special fund for improvements to achieve compliance with conditions and requirements; certification of compliance by Secretary
(d) Report by Secretary; status of facilities in complying with conditions and requirements
(e) Services provided by Indian Health Service, Indian tribe, or tribal organization
(1)
(A) Notwithstanding section 1395n(d) of this title, subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall make payment under part B to a hospital or an ambulatory care clinic (whether provider-based or freestanding) that is operated by the Indian Health Service or by an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as defined for purposes of subsection (a)) for services described in paragraph (2) (and for items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2005, all items and services for which payment may be made under part B) furnished in or at the direction of the hospital or clinic under the same situations, terms, and conditions as would apply if the services were furnished in or at the direction of such a hospital or clinic that was not operated by such Service, tribe, or organization.
(B) Payment shall not be made for services under subparagraph (A) to the extent that payment is otherwise made for such services under this subchapter.
(2) The services described in this paragraph are the following:
(A) Services for which payment is made under section 1395w–4 of this title.
(B) Services furnished by a practitioner described in section 1395u(b)(18)(C) of this title for which payment under part B is made under a fee schedule.
(C) Services furnished by a physical therapist or occupational therapist as described in section 1395x(p) of this title for which payment under part B is made under a fee schedule.
(3) Subsection (c) shall not apply to payments made under this subsection.
(f) Cross reference
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1880, as added Pub. L. 94–437, title IV, § 401(b), Sept. 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 1408; amended Pub. L. 102–573, title VII, § 701(d), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4572; Pub. L. 106–417, § 3(b)(1), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1815; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title IV, § 432(a)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–525; Pub. L. 108–173, title VI, § 630, Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2321; Pub. L. 111–148, title II, § 2902(a), title X, § 10221(a), (b)(4), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 333, 935, 936.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395qq

§ 1395rr. End stage renal disease program
(a) Type, duration, and scope of benefits
(b) Payments with respect to services; dialysis; regulations; physicians’ services; target reimbursement rates; home dialysis supplies and equipment; self-care home dialysis support services; self-care dialysis units; hepatitis B vaccine
(1) Payments under this subchapter with respect to services, in addition to services for which payment would otherwise be made under this subchapter, furnished to individuals who have been determined to have end stage renal disease shall include (A) payments on behalf of such individuals to providers of services and renal dialysis facilities which meet such requirements as the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe for institutional dialysis services and supplies (including self-dialysis services in a self-care dialysis unit maintained by the provider or facility), transplantation services, self-care home dialysis support services which are furnished by the provider or facility, and routine professional services performed by a physician during a maintenance dialysis episode if payments for his other professional services furnished to an individual who has end stage renal disease are made on the basis specified in paragraph (3)(A)(i) of this subsection, (B) payments to or on behalf of such individuals for home dialysis supplies and equipment, and (C) payments to a supplier of home dialysis supplies and equipment that is not a provider of services, a renal dialysis facility, or a physician for self-administered erythropoietin as described in section 1395x(s)(2)(P) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of this title if the Secretary finds that the patient receiving such drug from such a supplier can safely and effectively administer the drug (in accordance with the applicable methods and standards established by the Secretary pursuant to such section). The requirements prescribed by the Secretary under subparagraph (A) shall include requirements for a minimum utilization rate for transplantations. Beginning 180 days after February 9, 2018, an initial survey of a provider of services or a renal dialysis facility to determine if the conditions and requirements under this paragraph are met shall be initiated not later than 90 days after such date on which both the provider enrollment form (without regard to whether such form is submitted prior to or after such date of enactment) has been determined by the Secretary to be complete and the provider’s enrollment status indicates approval is pending the results of such survey.
(2)
(A) With respect to payments for dialysis services furnished by providers of services and renal dialysis facilities to individuals determined to have end stage renal disease for which payments may be made under part B of this subchapter, such payments (unless otherwise provided in this section) shall be equal to 80 percent of the amounts determined in accordance with subparagraph (B); and with respect to payments for services for which payments may be made under part A of this subchapter, the amounts of such payments (which amounts shall not exceed, in respect to costs in procuring organs attributable to payments made to an organ procurement agency or histocompatibility laboratory, the costs incurred by that agency or laboratory) shall be determined in accordance with section 1395x(v) of this title or section 1395ww of this title (if applicable). Payments shall be made to a renal dialysis facility only if it agrees to accept such payments as payment in full for covered services, except for payment by the individual of 20 percent of the estimated amounts for such services calculated on the basis established by the Secretary under subparagraph (B) and the deductible amount imposed by section 1395l(b) of this title.
(B) The Secretary shall prescribe in regulations any methods and procedures to (i) determine the costs incurred by providers of services and renal dialysis facilities in furnishing covered services to individuals determined to have end stage renal disease, and (ii) determine, on a cost-related basis or other economical and equitable basis (including any basis authorized under section 1395x(v) of this title) and consistent with any regulations promulgated under paragraph (7), the amounts of payments to be made for part B services furnished by such providers and facilities to such individuals.
(C) Such regulations, in the case of services furnished by proprietary providers and facilities (other than hospital outpatient departments) may include, if the Secretary finds it feasible and appropriate, provision for recognition of a reasonable rate of return on equity capital, providing such rate of return does not exceed the rate of return stipulated in section 1395x(v)(1)(B) of this title.
(D) For purposes of section 1395oo of this title, a renal dialysis facility shall be treated as a provider of services.
(3)
(A) With respect to payments for physicians’ services furnished to individuals determined to have end stage renal disease, the Secretary shall pay 80 percent of the amounts calculated for such services—
(i) on a reasonable charge basis (but may, in such case, make payment on the basis of the prevailing charges of other physicians for comparable services or, for services furnished on or after January 1, 1992, on the basis described in section 1395w–4 of this title) except that payment may not be made under this subparagraph for routine services furnished during a maintenance dialysis episode, or
(ii) subject to subparagraph (B), on a comprehensive monthly fee or other basis (which effectively encourages the efficient delivery of dialysis services and provides incentives for the increased use of home dialysis) for an aggregate of services provided over a period of time (as defined in regulations).
(B)
(i) For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), an individual determined to have end stage renal disease receiving home dialysis may choose to receive monthly end stage renal disease-related clinical assessments furnished on or after January 1, 2019, via telehealth.
(ii) Except as provided in clause (iii), clause (i) shall apply to an individual only if the individual receives a face-to-face clinical assessment, without the use of telehealth—(I) in the case of the initial 3 months of home dialysis of such individual, at least monthly; and(II) after such initial 3 months, at least once every 3 consecutive months.
(iii) The Secretary may waive the provisions of clause (ii) during the emergency period described in section 1320b–5(g)(1)(B) of this title.
(4)
(A) Pursuant to agreements with approved providers of services and renal dialysis facilities, the Secretary may make payments to such providers and facilities for the cost of home dialysis supplies and equipment and self-care home dialysis support services furnished to patients whose self-care home dialysis is under the direct supervision of such provider or facility, on the basis of a target reimbursement rate (as defined in paragraph (6)) or on the basis of a method established under paragraph (7).
(B) The Secretary shall make payments to a supplier of home dialysis supplies and equipment furnished to a patient whose self-care home dialysis is not under the direct supervision of an approved provider of services or renal dialysis facility only in accordance with a written agreement under which—
(i) the patient certifies that the supplier is the sole provider of such supplies and equipment to the patient,
(ii) the supplier agrees to receive payment for the cost of such supplies and equipment only on an assignment-related basis, and
(iii) the supplier certifies that it has entered into a written agreement with an approved provider of services or renal dialysis facility under which such provider or facility agrees to furnish to such patient all self-care home dialysis support services and all other necessary dialysis services and supplies, including institutional dialysis services and supplies and emergency services.
(5) An agreement under paragraph (4) shall require, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, that the provider or facility will—
(A) assume full responsibility for directly obtaining or arranging for the provision of—
(i) such medically necessary dialysis equipment as is prescribed by the attending physician;
(ii) dialysis equipment maintenance and repair services;
(iii) the purchase and delivery of all necessary medical supplies; and
(iv) where necessary, the services of trained home dialysis aides;
(B) perform all such administrative functions and maintain such information and rec­ords as the Secretary may require to verify the transactions and arrangements described in subparagraph (A);
(C) submit such cost reports, data, and information as the Secretary may require with respect to the costs incurred for equipment, supplies, and services furnished to the facility’s home dialysis patient population; and
(D) provide for full access for the Secretary to all such records, data, and information as he may require to perform his functions under this section.
(6) The Secretary shall establish, for each calendar year, commencing with January 1, 1979, a target reimbursement rate for home dialysis which shall be adjusted for regional variations in the cost of providing home dialysis. In establishing such a rate, the Secretary shall include—
(A) the Secretary’s estimate of the cost of providing medically necessary home dialysis supplies and equipment;
(B) an allowance, in an amount determined by the Secretary, to cover the cost of providing personnel to aid in home dialysis; and
(C) an allowance, in an amount determined by the Secretary, to cover administrative costs and to provide an incentive for the efficient delivery of home dialysis;
but in no event (except as may be provided in regulations under paragraph (7)) shall such target rate exceed 75 percent of the national average payment, adjusted for regional variations, for maintenance dialysis services furnished in approved providers and facilities during the preceding fiscal year. Any such target rate so established shall be utilized, without renegotiation of the rate, throughout the calendar year for which it is established. During the last quarter of each calendar year, the Secretary shall establish a home dialysis target reimbursement rate for the next calendar year based on the most recent data available to the Secretary at the time. In establishing any rate under this paragraph, the Secretary may utilize a competitive-bid procedure, a prenegotiated rate procedure, or any other procedure (including methods established under paragraph (7)) which the Secretary determines is appropriate and feasible in order to carry out this paragraph in an effective and efficient manner.
(7) Subject to paragraph (12), the Secretary shall provide by regulation for a method (or methods) for determining prospectively the amounts of payments to be made for dialysis services furnished by providers of services and renal dialysis facilities to individuals in a facility and to such individuals at home. Such method (or methods) shall provide for the prospective determination of a rate (or rates) for each mode of care based on a single composite weighted formula (which takes into account the mix of patients who receive dialysis services at a facility or at home and the relative costs of providing such services in such settings) for hospital-based facilities and such a single composite weighted formula for other renal dialysis facilities, or based on such other method or combination of methods which differentiate between hospital-based facilities and other renal dialysis facilities and which the Secretary determines, after detailed analysis, will more effectively encourage the more efficient delivery of dialysis services and will provide greater incentives for increased use of home dialysis than through the single composite weighted formulas. The amount of a payment made under any method other than a method based on a single composite weighted formula may not exceed the amount (or, in the case of continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis, 130 percent of the amount) of the median payment that would have been made under the formula for hospital-based facilities. Subject to section 422(a)(2) of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, the Secretary shall provide for such exceptions to such methods as may be warranted by unusual circumstances (including the special circumstances of sole facilities located in isolated, rural areas and of pediatric facilities). Each application for such an exception shall be deemed to be approved unless the Secretary disapproves it by not later than 60 working days after the date the application is filed. The Secretary may provide that such method will serve in lieu of any target reimbursement rate that would otherwise be established under paragraph (6). The Secretary shall reduce the amount of each composite rate payment under this paragraph for each treatment by 50 cents (subject to such adjustments as may be required to reflect modes of dialysis other than hemodialysis) and provide for payment of such amount to the organizations (designated under subsection (c)(1)(A)) for such organizations’ necessary and proper administrative costs incurred in carrying out the responsibilities described in subsection (c)(2). The Secretary shall provide that amounts paid under the previous sentence shall be distributed to the organizations described in subsection (c)(1)(A) to ensure equitable treatment of all such network organizations. The Secretary in distributing any such payments to network organizations shall take into account—
(A) the geographic size of the network area;
(B) the number of providers of end stage renal disease services in the network area;
(C) the number of individuals who are entitled to end stage renal disease services in the network area; and
(D) the proportion of the aggregate administrative funds collected in the network area.
The Secretary shall increase the amount of each composite rate payment for dialysis services furnished during 2000 by 1.2 percent above such composite rate payment amounts for such services furnished on December 31, 1999, for such services furnished on or after January 1, 2001, and before January 1, 2005, by 2.4 percent above such composite rate payment amounts for such services furnished on December 31, 2000, and for such services furnished on or after January 1, 2005, by 1.6 percent above such composite rate payment amounts for such services furnished on December 31, 2004.
(8) For purposes of this subchapter, the term “home dialysis supplies and equipment” means medically necessary supplies and equipment (including supportive equipment) required by an individual suffering from end stage renal disease in connection with renal dialysis carried out in his home (as defined in regulations), including obtaining, installing, and maintaining such equipment.
(9) For purposes of this subchapter, the term “self-care home dialysis support services”, to the extent permitted in regulation, means—
(A) periodic monitoring of the patient’s home adaptation, including visits by qualified provider or facility personnel (as defined in regulations), so long as this is done in accordance with a plan prepared and periodically reviewed by a professional team (as defined in regulations) including the individual’s physician;
(B) installation and maintenance of dialysis equipment;
(C) testing and appropriate treatment of the water; and
(D) such additional supportive services as the Secretary finds appropriate and desirable.
(10) For purposes of this subchapter, the term “self-care dialysis unit” means a renal dialysis facility or a distinct part of such facility or of a provider of services, which has been approved by the Secretary to make self-dialysis services, as defined by the Secretary in regulations, available to individuals who have been trained for self-dialysis. A self-care dialysis unit must, at a minimum, furnish the services, equipment and supplies needed for self-care dialysis, have patient-staff ratios which are appropriate to self-dialysis (allowing for such appropriate lesser degree of ongoing medical supervision and assistance of ancillary personnel than is required for full care maintenance dialysis), and meet such other requirements as the Secretary may prescribe with respect to the quality and cost-effectiveness of services.
(11)
(A) Hepatitis B vaccine and its administration, when provided to a patient determined to have end stage renal disease, shall not be included as dialysis services for purposes of payment under any prospective payment amount or comprehensive fee established under this section. Payment for such vaccine and its administration shall be made separately in accordance with section 1395l of this title.
(B) Erythropoietin, when provided to a patient determined to have end stage renal disease, shall not be included as a dialysis service for purposes of payment under any prospective payment amount or comprehensive fee established under this section, and subject to paragraphs (12) and (13) payment for such item shall be made separately—
(i) in the case of erythropoietin provided by a physician, in accordance with section 1395l of this title; and
(ii) in the case of erythropoietin provided by a provider of services, renal dialysis facility, or other supplier of home dialysis supplies and equipment—(I) for erythropoietin provided during 1994, in an amount equal to $10 per thousand units (rounded to the nearest 100 units), and(II) for erythropoietin provided during a subsequent year, in an amount determined to be appropriate by the Secretary, except that such amount may not exceed the amount determined under this clause for the previous year increased by the percentage increase (if any) in the implicit price deflator for gross national product (as published by the Department of Commerce) for the second quarter of the preceding year over the implicit price deflator for the second quarter of the second preceding year.
(C) The amount payable to a supplier of home dialysis supplies and equipment that is not a provider of services, a renal dialysis facility, or a physician for erythropoietin shall be determined in the same manner as the amount payable to a renal dialysis facility for such item.
(12)
(A) Subject to paragraph (14), in lieu of payment under paragraph (7) beginning with services furnished on January 1, 2005, the Secretary shall establish a basic case-mix adjusted prospective payment system for dialysis services furnished by providers of services and renal dialysis facilities in a year to individuals in a facility and to such individuals at home. The case-mix under such system shall be for a limited number of patient characteristics. Under such system, the payment rate for dialysis services furnished on or after January 1, 2009, by providers of services shall be the same as the payment rate (computed without regard to this sentence) for such services furnished by renal dialysis facilities, and in applying the geographic index under subparagraph (D) to providers of services, the labor share shall be based on the labor share otherwise applied for renal dialysis facilities.
(B) The system described in subparagraph (A) shall include—
(i) the services comprising the composite rate established under paragraph (7); and
(ii) the difference between payment amounts under this subchapter for separately billed drugs and biologicals (including erythropoietin) and acquisition costs of such drugs and biologicals, as determined by the Inspector General reports to the Secretary as required by section 623(c) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003—(I) beginning with 2005, for such drugs and biologicals for which a billing code exists prior to January 1, 2004; and(II) beginning with 2007, for such drugs and biologicals for which a billing code does not exist prior to January 1, 2004,
adjusted to 2005, or 2007, respectively, as determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
(C)
(i) In applying subparagraph (B)(ii) for 2005, such payment amounts under this subchapter shall be determined using the methodology specified in paragraph (13)(A)(i).
(ii) For 2006, the Secretary shall provide for an adjustment to the payments under clause (i) to reflect the difference between the payment amounts using the methodology under paragraph (13)(A)(i) and the payment amount determined using the methodology applied by the Secretary under paragraph (13)(A)(iii) of such paragraph, as estimated by the Secretary.
(D) The Secretary shall adjust the payment rates under such system by a geographic index as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. If the Secretary applies a geographic index under this paragraph that differs from the index applied under paragraph (7) the Secretary shall phase-in the application of the index under this paragraph over a multiyear period.
(E)
(i) Such system shall be designed to result in the same aggregate amount of expenditures for such services, as estimated by the Secretary, as would have been made for 2005 if this paragraph did not apply.
(ii) The adjustment made under subparagraph (B)(ii)(II) shall be done in a manner to result in the same aggregate amount of expenditures after such adjustment as would otherwise have been made for such services for 2006 or 2007, respectively, as estimated by the Secretary, if this paragraph did not apply.
(F) Beginning with 2006, the Secretary shall annually increase the basic case-mix adjusted payment amounts established under this paragraph, by an amount determined by—
(i) applying the estimated growth in expenditures for drugs and biologicals (including erythropoietin) that are separately billable to the component of the basic case-mix adjusted system described in subparagraph (B)(ii); and
(ii) converting the amount determined in clause (i) to an increase applicable to the basic case-mix adjusted payment amounts established under subparagraph (B).
Except as provided in subparagraph (G), nothing in this paragraph or paragraph (14) shall be construed as providing for an update to the composite rate component of the basic case-mix adjusted system under subparagraph (B) or under the system under paragraph (14).
(G) The Secretary shall increase the amount of the composite rate component of the basic case-mix adjusted system under subparagraph (B) for dialysis services—
(i) furnished on or after January 1, 2006, and before April 1, 2007, by 1.6 percent above the amount of such composite rate component for such services furnished on December 31, 2005;
(ii) furnished on or after April 1, 2007, and before January 1, 2009, by 1.6 percent above the amount of such composite rate component for such services furnished on March 31, 2007;
(iii) furnished on or after January 1, 2009, and before January 1, 2010, by 1.0 percent above the amount of such composite rate component for such services furnished on December 31, 2008; and
(iv) furnished on or after January 1, 2010, by 1.0 percent above the amount of such composite rate component for such services furnished on December 31, 2009.
(H) There shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1395ff of this title, section 1395oo of this title, or otherwise, of the case-mix system, relative weights, payment amounts, the geographic adjustment factor, or the update for the system established under this paragraph, or the determination of the difference between medicare payment amounts and acquisition costs for separately billed drugs and biologicals (including erythropoietin) under this paragraph and paragraph (13).
(13)
(A) Subject to paragraph (14), the payment amounts under this subchapter for separately billed drugs and biologicals furnished in a year, beginning with 2004, are as follows:
(i) For such drugs and biologicals (other than erythropoietin) furnished in 2004, the amount determined under section 1395u(o)(1)(A)(v) of this title for the drug or biological.
(ii) For such drugs and biologicals (including erythropoietin) furnished in 2005, the acquisition cost of the drug or biological, as determined by the Inspector General reports to the Secretary as required by section 623(c) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003. Insofar as the Inspector General has not determined the acquisition cost with respect to a drug or biological, the Secretary shall determine the payment amount for such drug or biological.
(iii) For such drugs and biologicals (including erythropoietin) furnished in 2006 and subsequent years, such acquisition cost or the amount determined under section 1395w–3a of this title for the drug or biological, as the Secretary may specify.
(B) Drugs and biologicals (including erythropoietin) which were separately billed under this subsection on the day before December 8, 2003, shall continue to be separately billed on and after such date, subject to paragraph (14).
(14)
(A)
(i) Subject to subparagraph (E), for services furnished on or after January 1, 2011, the Secretary shall implement a payment system under which a single payment is made under this subchapter to a provider of services or a renal dialysis facility for renal dialysis services (as defined in subparagraph (B)) in lieu of any other payment (including a payment adjustment under paragraph (12)(B)(ii)) and for such services and items furnished pursuant to paragraph (4).
(ii) In implementing the system under this paragraph the Secretary shall ensure that the estimated total amount of payments under this subchapter for 2011 for renal dialysis services shall equal 98 percent of the estimated total amount of payments for renal dialysis services, including payments under paragraph (12)(B)(ii), that would have been made under this subchapter with respect to services furnished in 2011 if such system had not been implemented. In making the estimation under subclause (I), the Secretary shall use per patient utilization data from 2007, 2008, or 2009, whichever has the lowest per patient utilization.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term “renal dialysis services” includes—
(i) items and services included in the composite rate for renal dialysis services as of December 31, 2010;
(ii) erythropoiesis stimulating agents and any oral form of such agents that are furnished to individuals for the treatment of end stage renal disease;
(iii) other drugs and biologicals that are furnished to individuals for the treatment of end stage renal disease and for which payment was (before the application of this paragraph) made separately under this subchapter, and any oral equivalent form of such drug or biological; and
(iv) diagnostic laboratory tests and other items and services not described in clause (i) that are furnished to individuals for the treatment of end stage renal disease.
Such term does not include vaccines.
(C) The system under this paragraph may provide for payment on the basis of services furnished during a week or month or such other appropriate unit of payment as the Secretary specifies.
(D) Such system—
(i) shall include a payment adjustment based on case mix that may take into account patient weight, body mass index, comorbidities, length of time on dialysis, age, race, ethnicity, and other appropriate factors;
(ii) shall include a payment adjustment for high cost outliers due to unusual variations in the type or amount of medically necessary care, including variations in the amount of erythropoiesis stimulating agents necessary for anemia management;
(iii) shall include a payment adjustment that reflects the extent to which costs incurred by low-volume facilities (as defined by the Secretary) in furnishing renal dialysis services exceed the costs incurred by other facilities in furnishing such services, and for payment for renal dialysis services furnished on or after January 1, 2011, and before January 1, 2014, such payment adjustment shall not be less than 10 percent; and
(iv) may include such other payment adjustments as the Secretary determines appropriate, such as a payment adjustment—(I) for pediatric providers of services and renal dialysis facilities;(II) by a geographic index, such as the index referred to in paragraph (12)(D), as the Secretary determines to be appropriate; and(III) for providers of services or renal dialysis facilities located in rural areas.
The Secretary shall take into consideration the unique treatment needs of children and young adults in establishing such system.
(E)
(i) The Secretary shall provide for a four-year phase-in (in equal increments) of the payment amount under the payment system under this paragraph, with such payment amount being fully implemented for renal dialysis services furnished on or after January 1, 2014.
(ii) A provider of services or renal dialysis facility may make a one-time election to be excluded from the phase-in under clause (i) and be paid entirely based on the payment amount under the payment system under this paragraph. Such an election shall be made prior to January 1, 2011, in a form and manner specified by the Secretary, and is final and may not be rescinded.
(iii) The Secretary shall make an adjustment to the payments under this paragraph for years during which the phase-in under clause (i) is applicable so that the estimated total amount of payments under this paragraph, including payments under this subparagraph, shall equal the estimated total amount of payments that would otherwise occur under this paragraph without such phase-in.
(F)
(i)(I) Subject to subclauses (II) and (III) and clause (ii), beginning in 2012, the Secretary shall annually increase payment amounts established under this paragraph by an ESRD market basket percentage increase factor for a bundled payment system for renal dialysis services that reflects changes over time in the prices of an appropriate mix of goods and services included in renal dialysis services. In order to accomplish the purposes of subparagraph (I) with respect to 2016, 2017, and 2018, after determining the increase factor described in the preceding sentence for each of 2016, 2017, and 2018, the Secretary shall reduce such increase factor by 1.25 percentage points for each of 2016 and 2017 and by 1 percentage point for 2018.(II) Subject to subclause (III), for 2012 and each subsequent year, after determining the increase factor described in subclause (I), the Secretary shall reduce such increase factor by the productivity adjustment described in section 1395ww(b)(3)(B)(xi)(II) of this title. The application of the preceding sentence may result in such increase factor being less than 0.0 for a year, and may result in payment rates under the payment system under this paragraph for a year being less than such payment rates for the preceding year.(III) Notwithstanding subclauses (I) and (II), in order to accomplish the purposes of subparagraph (I) with respect to 2015, the increase factor described in subclause (I) for 2015 shall be 0.0 percent pursuant to the regulation issued by the Secretary on December 2, 2013, entitled “Medicare Program; End-Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System, Quality Incentive Program, and Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies; Final Rule” (78 Fed. Reg. 72156).
(ii) For years during which a phase-in of the payment system pursuant to subparagraph (E) is applicable, the following rules shall apply to the portion of the payment under the system that is based on the payment of the composite rate that would otherwise apply if the system under this paragraph had not been enacted:(I) The update under clause (i) shall not apply.(II) Subject to clause (i)(II), the Secretary shall annually increase such composite rate by the ESRD market basket percentage increase factor described in clause (i)(I).
(G) There shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1395ff of this title, section 1395oo of this title, or otherwise of the determination of payment amounts under subparagraph (A), the establishment of an appropriate unit of payment under subparagraph (C), the identification of renal dialysis services included in the bundled payment, the adjustments under subparagraph (D), the application of the phase-in under subparagraph (E), and the establishment of the market basket percentage increase factors under subparagraph (F).
(H) Erythropoiesis stimulating agents and other drugs and biologicals shall be treated as prescribed and dispensed or administered and available only under part B if they are—
(i) furnished to an individual for the treatment of end stage renal disease; and
(ii) included in subparagraph (B) for purposes of payment under this paragraph.
(I) For services furnished on or after January 1, 2014, and before January 1, 2015, the Secretary shall, by comparing per patient utilization data from 2007 with such data from 2012, make reductions to the single payment that would otherwise apply under this paragraph for renal dialysis services to reflect the Secretary’s estimate of the change in the utilization of drugs and biologicals described in clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) of subparagraph (B) (other than oral-only ESRD-related drugs, as such term is used in the final rule promulgated by the Secretary in the Federal Register on August 12, 2010 (75 Fed. Reg. 49030)). In making reductions under the preceding sentence, the Secretary shall take into account the most recently available data on average sales prices and changes in prices for drugs and biological 2
2 So in original. Probably should be “biologicals”.
reflected in the ESRD market basket percentage increase factor under subparagraph (F).
(c) Renal disease network areas; coordinating councils, executive committees, and medical review boards; national end stage renal disease medical information system; functions of network organizations
(1)
(A)
(i) For the purpose of assuring effective and efficient administration of the benefits provided under this section, the Secretary shall, in accordance with such criteria as he finds necessary to assure the performance of the responsibilities and functions specified in paragraph (2)—(I) establish at least 17 end stage renal disease network areas, and(II) for each such area, designate a network administrative organization which, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, shall establish (aa) a network council of renal dialysis and transplant facilities located in the area and (bb) a medical review board, which has a membership including at least one patient representative and physicians, nurses, and social workers engaged in treatment relating to end stage renal disease.
The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a description of the geographic area that he determines, after consultation with appropriate professional and patient organizations, constitutes each network area and the criteria on the basis of which such determination is made.
(ii)(I) In order to determine whether the Secretary should enter into, continue, or terminate an agreement with a network administrative organization designated for an area established under clause (i), the Secretary shall develop and publish in the Federal Register standards, criteria, and procedures to evaluate an applicant organization’s capabilities to perform (and, in the case of an organization with which such an agreement is in effect, actual performance of) the responsibilities described in paragraph (2). The Secretary shall evaluate each applicant based on quality and scope of services and may not accord more than 20 percent of the weight of the evaluation to the element of price.(II) An agreement with a network administrative organization may be terminated by the Secretary only if he finds, after applying such standards and criteria, that the organization has failed to perform its prescribed responsibilities effectively and efficiently. If such an agreement is to be terminated, the Secretary shall select a successor to the agreement on the basis of competitive bidding and in a manner that provides an orderly transition.
(B) At least one patient representative shall serve as a member of each network council and each medical review board.
(C) The Secretary shall, in regulations, prescribe requirements with respect to membership in network organizations by individuals (and the relatives of such individuals) (i) who have an ownership or control interest in a facility or provider which furnishes services referred to in section 1395x(s)(2)(F) of this title, or (ii) who have received remuneration from any such facility or provider in excess of such amounts as constitute reasonable compensation for services (including time and effort relative to the provision of professional medical services) or goods supplied to such facility or provider; and such requirements shall provide for the definition, disclosure, and, to the maximum extent consistent with effective administration, prevention of potential or actual financial or professional conflicts of interest with respect to decisions concerning the appropriateness, nature, or site of patient care.
(2) The network organizations of each network shall be responsible, in addition to such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by the Secretary, for—
(A) encouraging, consistent with sound medical practice, the use of those treatment settings most compatible with the successful rehabilitation of the patient and the participation of patients, providers of services, and renal disease facilities in vocational rehabilitation programs;
(B) developing criteria and standards relating to the quality and appropriateness of patient care and with respect to working with patients, facilities, and providers in encouraging participation in vocational rehabilitation programs; and network goals with respect to the placement of patients in self-care settings and undergoing or preparing for transplantation;
(C) evaluating the procedure by which facilities and providers in the network assess the appropriateness of patients for proposed treatment modalities;
(D) implementing a procedure for evaluating and resolving patient grievances;
(E) conducting on-site reviews of facilities and providers as necessary (as determined by a medical review board or the Secretary), utilizing standards of care established by the network organization to assure proper medical care;
(F) collecting, validating, and analyzing such data as are necessary to prepare the reports required by subparagraph (H) and to assure the maintenance of the registry established under paragraph (7);
(G) identifying facilities and providers that are not cooperating toward meeting network goals and assisting such facilities and providers in developing appropriate plans for correction and reporting to the Secretary on facilities and providers that are not providing appropriate medical care; and
(H) submitting an annual report to the Secretary on July 1 of each year which shall include a full statement of the network’s goals, data on the network’s performance in meeting its goals (including data on the comparative performance of facilities and providers with respect to the identification and placement of suitable candidates in self-care settings and transplantation and encouraging participation in vocational rehabilitation programs), identification of those facilities that have consistently failed to cooperate with network goals, and recommendations with respect to the need for additional or alternative services or facilities in the network in order to meet the network goals, including self-dialysis training, transplantation, and organ procurement facilities.
(3) Where the Secretary determines, on the basis of the data contained in the network’s annual report and such other relevant data as may be available to him, that a facility or provider has consistently failed to cooperate with network plans and goals or to follow the recommendations of the medical review board, he may terminate or withhold certification of such facility or provider (for purposes of payment for services furnished to individuals with end stage renal disease) until he determines that such provider or facility is making reasonable and appropriate efforts to cooperate with the network’s plans and goals. If the Secretary determines that the facility’s or provider’s failure to cooperate with network plans and goals does not jeopardize patient health or safety or justify termination of certification, he may instead, after reasonable notice to the provider or facility and to the public, impose such other sanctions as he determines to be appropriate, which sanctions may include denial of reimbursement with respect to some or all patients admitted to the facility after the date of notice to the facility or provider, and graduated reduction in reimbursement for all patients.
(4) The Secretary shall, in determining whether to certify additional facilities or expansion of existing facilities within a network, take into account the network’s goals and performance as reflected in the network’s annual report.
(5) The Secretary, after consultation with appropriate professional and planning organizations, shall provide such guidelines with respect to the planning and delivery of renal disease services as are necessary to assist network organizations in their development of their respective networks’ goals to promote the optimum use of self-dialysis and transplantation by suitable candidates for such modalities.
(6) It is the intent of the Congress that the maximum practical number of patients who are medically, socially, and psychologically suitable candidates for home dialysis or transplantation should be so treated and that the maximum practical number of patients who are suitable candidates for vocational rehabilitation services be given access to such services and encouraged to return to gainful employment. The Secretary shall consult with appropriate professional and network organizations and consider available evidence relating to developments in research, treatment methods, and technology for home dialysis and transplantation.
(7) The Secretary shall establish a national end stage renal disease registry the purpose of which shall be to assemble and analyze the data reported by network organizations, transplant centers, and other sources on all end stage renal disease patients in a manner that will permit—
(A) the preparation of the annual report to the Congress required under subsection (g); 1
(B) an identification of the economic impact, cost-effectiveness, and medical efficacy of alternative modalities of treatment;
(C) an evaluation with respect to the most appropriate allocation of resources for the treatment and research into the cause of end stage renal disease;
(D) the determination of patient mortality and morbidity rates, and trends in such rates, and other indices of quality of care; and
(E) such other analyses relating to the treatment and management of end stage renal disease as will assist the Congress in evaluating the end stage renal disease program under this section.
The Secretary shall provide for such coordination of data collection activities, and such consolidation of existing end stage renal disease data systems, as is necessary to achieve the purpose of such registry, shall determine the appropriate location of the registry, and shall provide for the appointment of a professional advisory group to assist the Secretary in the formulation of policies and procedures relevant to the management of such registry.
(8) The provisions of sections 1320c–6 and 1320c–9 of this title shall apply with respect to network administrative organizations (including such organizations as medical review boards) with which the Secretary has entered into agreements under this subsection.
(d) Donors of kidney for transplant surgery
(e) Reimbursement of providers, facilities, and nonprofit entities for costs of artificial kidney and automated dialysis peritoneal machines for home dialysis
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, the Secretary may, pursuant to agreements with approved providers of services, renal dialysis facilities, and nonprofit entities which the Secretary finds can furnish equipment economically and efficiently, reimburse such providers, facilities, and nonprofit entities (without regard to the deductible and coinsurance provisions of this subchapter) for the reasonable cost of the purchase, installation, maintenance and reconditioning for subsequent use of artificial kidney and automated dialysis peritoneal machines (including supportive equipment) which are to be used exclusively by entitled individuals dialyzing at home.
(2) An agreement under this subsection shall require that the provider, facility, or other entity will—
(A) make the equipment available for use only by entitled individuals dialyzing at home;
(B) recondition the equipment, as needed, for reuse by such individuals throughout the useful life of the equipment, including modification of the equipment consistent with advances in research and technology;
(C) provide for full access for the Secretary to all records and information relating to the purchase, maintenance, and use of the equipment; and
(D) submit such reports, data, and information as the Secretary may require with respect to the cost, management, and use of the equipment.
(3) For purposes of this section, the term “supportive equipment” includes blood pumps, heparin pumps, bubble detectors, other alarm systems, and such other items as the Secretary may determine are medically necessary.
(f) Experiments, studies, and pilot projects
(1) The Secretary shall initiate and carry out, at selected locations in the United States, pilot projects under which financial assistance in the purchase of new or used durable medical equipment for renal dialysis is provided to individuals suffering from end stage renal disease at the time home dialysis is begun, with provision for a trial period to assure successful adaptation to home dialysis before the actual purchase of such equipment.
(2) The Secretary shall conduct experiments to evaluate methods for reducing the costs of the end stage renal disease program. Such experiments shall include (without being limited to) reimbursement for nurses and dialysis technicians to assist with home dialysis, and reimbursement to family members assisting with home dialysis.
(3) The Secretary shall conduct experiments to evaluate methods of dietary control for reducing the costs of the end stage renal disease program, including (without being limited to) the use of protein-controlled products to delay the necessity for, or reduce the frequency of, dialysis in the treatment of end stage renal disease.
(4) The Secretary shall conduct a comprehensive study of methods for increasing public participation in kidney donation and other organ donation programs.
(5) The Secretary shall conduct a full and complete study of the reimbursement of physicians for services furnished to patients with end stage renal disease under this subchapter, giving particular attention to the range of payments to physicians for such services, the average amounts of such payments, and the number of hours devoted to furnishing such services to patients at home, in renal disease facilities, in hospitals, and elsewhere.
(6) The Secretary shall conduct a study of the number of patients with end stage renal disease who are not eligible for benefits with respect to such disease under this subchapter (by reason of this section or otherwise), and of the economic impact of such noneligibility of such individuals. Such study shall include consideration of mechanisms whereby governmental and other health plans might be instituted or modified to permit the purchase of actuarially sound coverage for the costs of end stage renal disease.
(7)
(A) The Secretary shall establish protocols on standards and conditions for the reuse of dialyzer filters for those facilities and providers which voluntarily elect to reuse such filters.
(B) With respect to dialysis services furnished on or after January 1, 1988 (or July 1, 1988, with respect to protocols that relate to the reuse of bloodlines), no dialysis facility may reuse dialysis supplies (other than dialyzer filters) unless the Secretary has established a protocol with respect to the reuse of such supplies and the facility follows the protocol so established.
(C) The Secretary shall incorporate protocols established under this paragraph, and the requirement of subparagraph (B), into the requirements for facilities prescribed under subsection (b)(1)(A) and failure to follow such a protocol or requirement subjects such a facility to denial of participation in the program established under this section and to denial of payment for dialysis treatment not furnished in compliance with such a protocol or in violation of such requirement.
(8) The Secretary shall submit to the Congress no later than October 1, 1979, a full report on the experiments conducted under paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (7), and the studies under paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7). Such report shall include any recommendations for legislative changes which the Secretary finds necessary or desirable as a result of such experiments and studies.
(g) Conditional approval of dialysis facilities; restriction-of-payments notice to public and facility; notice and hearing; judicial review
(1) In any case where the Secretary—
(A) finds that a renal dialysis facility is not in substantial compliance with requirements for such facilities prescribed under subsection (b)(1)(A),
(B) finds that the facility’s deficiencies do not immediately jeopardize the health and safety of patients, and
(C) has given the facility a reasonable opportunity to correct its deficiencies,
the Secretary may, in lieu of terminating approval of the facility, determine that payment under this subchapter shall be made to the facility only for services furnished to individuals who were patients of the facility before the effective date of the notice.
(2) The Secretary’s decision to restrict payments under this subsection shall be made effective only after such notice to the public and to the facility as may be prescribed in regulations, and shall remain in effect until (A) the Secretary finds that the facility is in substantial compliance with the requirements under subsection (b)(1)(A), or (B) the Secretary terminates the agreement under this subchapter with the facility.
(3) A facility dissatisfied with a determination by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall be entitled to a hearing thereon by the Secretary (after reasonable notice) to the same extent as is provided in section 405(b) of this title, and to judicial review of the Secretary’s final decision after such hearing as is provided in section 405(g) of this title, except that, in so applying such sections and in applying section 405(l) of this title thereto, any reference therein to the Commissioner of Social Security or the Social Security Administration shall be considered a reference to the Secretary or the Department of Health and Human Services, respectively.
(h) Quality incentives in the end-stage renal disease program
(1) Quality incentives
(A) In general
(B) Requirement
(C) No effect in subsequent years
(2) Measures
(A) In generalThe measures specified under this paragraph with respect to the year involved shall include—
(i) measures on anemia management that reflect the labeling approved by the Food and Drug Administration for such management and measures on dialysis adequacy;
(ii) to the extent feasible, such measure (or measures) of patient satisfaction as the Secretary shall specify;
(iii) for 2016 and subsequent years, measures described in subparagraph (E)(i); and
(iv) such other measures as the Secretary specifies, including, to the extent feasible, measures on—(I) iron management;(II) bone mineral metabolism; and(III) vascular access, including for maximizing the placement of arterial venous fistula.
(B) Use of endorsed measures
(i) In general
(ii) Exception
(C) Updating measures
(D) Consideration
(E) Measures specific to the conditions treated with oral-only drugs
(i) In general
(ii) Consultation
(iii) Use of endorsed measures(I) In general(II) Exception
(3) Performance scores
(A) Total performance score
(i) In general
(ii) Application
(iii) Weighting of measures
(B) Performance score with respect to individual measures
(4) Performance standards
(A) Establishment
(B) Achievement and improvement
(C) Timing
(D) Performance period
(E) Special ruleThe Secretary shall initially use as the performance standard for the measures specified under paragraph (2)(A)(i) for a provider of services or a renal dialysis facility the lesser of—
(i) the performance of such provider or facility for such measures in the year selected by the Secretary under the second sentence of subsection (b)(14)(A)(ii); or
(ii) a performance standard based on the national performance rates for such measures in a period determined by the Secretary.
(5) Limitation on reviewThere shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1395ff of this title, section 1395oo of this title, or otherwise of the following:
(A) The determination of the amount of the payment reduction under paragraph (1).
(B) The establishment of the performance standards and the performance period under paragraph (4).
(C) The specification of measures under paragraph (2).
(D) The methodology developed under paragraph (3) that is used to calculate total performance scores and performance scores for individual measures.
(6) Public reporting
(A) In generalThe Secretary shall establish procedures for making information regarding performance under this subsection available to the public, including—
(i) the total performance score achieved by the provider of services or renal dialysis facility under paragraph (3) and appropriate comparisons of providers of services and renal dialysis facilities to the national average with respect to such scores; and
(ii) the performance score achieved by the provider or facility with respect to individual measures.
(B) Opportunity to review
(C) Certificates
(i) In general
(ii) Display
(D) Web-based list
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1881, as added Pub. L. 95–292, § 2, June 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 308; amended Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, § 957, Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2648; Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, § 2145(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 799; Pub. L. 98–21, title VI, § 602(i), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 165; Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, §§ 2323(c), 2352(a), 2354(b)(41), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1086, 1099, 1102; Pub. L. 98–617, § 3(b)(8), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3296; Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, § 9335(a)(2), (d)(1), (e)–(i)(1), (j)(1), (k)(1), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 2029–2033; Pub. L. 100–93, § 12, Aug. 18, 1987, 101 Stat. 697; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §§ 4036(b), (c)(2), (d)(5), 4065(b), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–79, 1330–80, 1330–112; Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, §§ 6102(e)(8), 6203(b)(1), (2), 6219(a), (b), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2188, 2235, 2254; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, § 4201(c)(1), (d)(2), formerly (d)(2), (3), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–103, 1388–104, renumbered Pub. L. 103–432, title I, § 160(d)(3), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4444; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13566(a), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 607; Pub. L. 103–296, title I, § 108(c)(5), Aug. 15, 1994, 108 Stat. 1485; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(6) [title II, § 222(a)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–352; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title IV, § 422(a)(1)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–516; Pub. L. 108–173, title VI, § 623(a), (b)(2), (d), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2312, 2313; Pub. L. 109–171, title V, § 5106, Feb. 8, 2006, 120 Stat. 42; Pub. L. 109–432, div. B, title I, § 103(a), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2981; Pub. L. 110–275, title I, § 153(a), (b)(1), (3)(A), (c), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2553, 2556; Pub. L. 111–148, title III, § 3401(h), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 485; Pub. L. 112–240, title VI, § 632(a), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2354; Pub. L. 113–93, title II, § 217(b), (d), Apr. 1, 2014, 128 Stat. 1061, 1062; Pub. L. 115–123, div. E, title III, § 50302(a), (d), title IV, § 50403(b), Feb. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 190, 192, 218; Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title III, § 3705, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 418.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395rr

§ 1395rr–1. Medicare coverage for individuals exposed to environmental health hazards
(a) Deeming of individuals as eligible for medicare benefits
(1) In general
(2) Discretionary deeming
(3) Effective date of coverageAn Individual 1
1 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.
who is deemed eligible for benefits under this subchapter under paragraph (1) or (2) shall be—
(A) entitled to benefits under the program under Part 1 A as of the date of such deeming; and
(B) eligible to enroll in the program under Part 1 B beginning with the month in which such deeming occurs.
(b) Pilot program for care of certain individuals residing in emergency declaration areas
(1) Program; purpose
(A) Primary pilot program
(B) Optional pilot programs
(2) Individual describedFor purposes of paragraph (1), an individual described in this paragraph is an individual who enrolls in part B, submits to the Secretary an application to participate in the applicable pilot program under this subsection, and—
(A) is an environmental exposure affected individual described in subsection (e)(2) who resides in or around the geographic area subject to an emergency declaration made as of June 17, 2009; or
(B) is an environmental exposure affected individual described in subsection (e)(3) who—
(i) is deemed under subsection (a)(2); and
(ii) meets such other criteria or conditions for participation in a pilot program under paragraph (1)(B) as the Secretary specifies.
(3) Flexible benefits and services
(4) Innovative reimbursement methodologiesFor purposes of the pilot program under this subsection, the Secretary—
(A) shall develop and implement appropriate methodologies to reimburse providers for furnishing benefits, items, or services for which payment is not otherwise covered or authorized under this subchapter, if such benefits, items, or services are furnished pursuant to paragraph (3); and
(B) may develop and implement innovative approaches to reimbursing providers for any benefits, items, or services furnished under this subsection.
(5) Limitation
(6) Waiver authority
(7) Funding
(8) Waiver of budget neutrality
(c) Determinations
(1) By the Commissioner of Social Security
(2) By the Secretary
(d) Emergency declaration defined
(e) Environmental exposure affected individual defined
(1) In generalFor purposes of this section, the term “environmental exposure affected individual” means—
(A) an individual described in paragraph (2); and
(B) an individual described in paragraph (3).
(2) Individual described
(A) In generalAn individual described in this paragraph is any individual who—
(i) is diagnosed with 1 or more conditions described in subparagraph (B);
(ii) as demonstrated in such manner as the Secretary determines appropriate, has been present for an aggregate total of 6 months in the geographic area subject to an emergency declaration specified in subsection (b)(2)(A), during a period ending—(I) not less than 10 years prior to such diagnosis; and(II) prior to the implementation of all the remedial and removal actions specified in the Record of Decision for Operating Unit 4 and the Record of Decision for Operating Unit 7;
(iii) files an application for benefits under this subchapter (or has an application filed on behalf of the individual), including pursuant to this section; and
(iv) is determined under this section to meet the criteria in this subparagraph.
(B) Conditions describedFor purposes of subparagraph (A), the following conditions are described in this subparagraph:
(i) Asbestosis, pleural thickening, or pleural plaques as established by—(I) interpretation by a “B Reader” qualified physician of a plain chest x-ray or interpretation of a computed tomographic radiograph of the chest by a qualified physician, as determined by the Secretary; or(II) such other diagnostic standards as the Secretary specifies,
 except that this clause shall not apply to pleural thickening or pleural plaques unless there are symptoms or conditions requiring medical treatment as a result of these diagnoses.
(ii) Mesothelioma, or malignancies of the lung, colon, rectum, larynx, stomach, esophagus, pharynx, or ovary, as established by—(I) pathologic examination of biopsy tissue;(II) cytology from bronchioalveolar lavage; or(III) such other diagnostic standards as the Secretary specifies.
(iii) Any other diagnosis which the Secretary, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Security, determines is an asbestos-related medical condition, as established by such diagnostic standards as the Secretary specifies.
(3) Other individual describedAn individual described in this paragraph is any individual who—
(A) is not an individual described in paragraph (2);
(B) is diagnosed with a medical condition caused by the exposure of the individual to a public health hazard to which an emergency declaration applies, based on such medical conditions, diagnostic standards, and other criteria as the Secretary specifies;
(C) as demonstrated in such manner as the Secretary determines appropriate, has been present for an aggregate total of 6 months in the geographic area subject to the emergency declaration involved, during a period determined appropriate by the Secretary;
(D) files an application for benefits under this subchapter (or has an application filed on behalf of the individual), including pursuant to this section; and
(E) is determined under this section to meet the criteria in this paragraph.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1881A, as added Pub. L. 111–148, title X, § 10323(a), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 954.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395rr-1

§ 1395ss. Certification of medicare supplemental health insurance policies
(a) Submission of policy by insurer
(1) The Secretary shall establish a procedure whereby medicare supplemental policies (as defined in subsection (g)(1)) may be certified by the Secretary as meeting minimum standards and requirements set forth in subsection (c). Such procedure shall provide an opportunity for any insurer to submit any such policy, and such additional data as the Secretary finds necessary, to the Secretary for his examination and for his certification thereof as meeting the standards and requirements set forth in subsection (c). Subject to subsections (k)(3), (m), and (n), such certification shall remain in effect if the insurer files a notarized statement with the Secretary no later than June 30 of each year stating that the policy continues to meet such standards and requirements and if the insurer submits such additional data as the Secretary finds necessary to independently verify the accuracy of such notarized statement. Where the Secretary determines such a policy meets (or continues to meet) such standards and requirements, he shall authorize the insurer to have printed on such policy (but only in accordance with such requirements and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe) an emblem which the Secretary shall cause to be designed for use as an indication that a policy has received the Secretary’s certification. The Secretary shall provide each State commissioner or superintendent of insurance with a list of all the policies which have received his certification.
(2) No medicare supplemental policy may be issued in a State on or after the date specified in subsection (p)(1)(C) unless—
(A) the State’s regulatory program under subsection (span)(1) provides for the application and enforcement of the standards and requirements set forth in such subsection (including the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation (as the case may be)) by the date specified in subsection (p)(1)(C); or
(B) if the State’s program does not provide for the application and enforcement of such standards and requirements, the policy has been certified by the Secretary under paragraph (1) as meeting the standards and requirements set forth in subsection (c) (including such applicable standards) by such date.
Any person who issues a medicare supplemental policy, on and after the effective date specified in subsection (p)(1)(C), in violation of this paragraph is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $25,000 for each such violation. The provisions of section 1320a–7a of this title (other than the first sentence of subsection (a) and other than subsection (span)) shall apply to a civil money penalty under the previous sentence in the same manner as such provisions apply to a penalty or proceeding under section 1320a–7a(a) of this title.
(span) Standards and requirements; periodic review by Secretary
(1) Any medicare supplemental policy issued in any State which the Secretary determines has established under State law a regulatory program that—
(A) provides for the application and enforcement of standards with respect to such policies equal to or more stringent than the NAIC Model Standards (as defined in subsection (g)(2)(A)), except as otherwise provided by subparagraph (H);
(B) includes requirements equal to or more stringent than the requirements described in paragraphs (2) through (5) of subsection (c);
(C) provides that—
(i) information with respect to the actual ratio of benefits provided to premiums collected under such policies will be reported to the State on forms conforming to those developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners for such purpose, or
(ii) such ratios will be monitored under the program in an alternative manner approved by the Secretary, and that a copy of each such policy, the most recent premium for each such policy, and a listing of the ratio of benefits provided to premiums collected for the most recent 3-year period for each such policy issued or sold in the State is maintained and made available to interested persons;
(D) provides for application and enforcement of the standards and requirements described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) to all medicare supplemental policies (as defined in subsection (g)(1)) issued in such State,
(E) provides the Secretary periodically (but at least annually) with a list containing the name and address of the issuer of each such policy and the name and number of each such policy (including an indication of policies that have been previously approved, newly approved, or withdrawn from approval since the previous list was provided),
(F) reports to the Secretary on the implementation and enforcement of standards and requirements of this paragraph at intervals established by the Secretary,
(G) provides for a process for approving or disapproving proposed premium increases with respect to such policies, and establishes a policy for the holding of public hearings prior to approval of a premium increase, and
(H) in the case of a policy that meets the standards under subparagraph (A) except that benefits under the policy are limited to items and services furnished by certain entities (or reduced benefits are provided when items or services are furnished by other entities), provides for the application of requirements equal to or more stringent than the requirements under subsection (t),
shall be deemed (subject to subsections (k)(3), (m), and (n), for so long as the Secretary finds that such State regulatory program continues to meet the standards and requirements of this paragraph) to meet the standards and requirements set forth in subsection (c). Each report required under subparagraph (F) shall include information on loss ratios of policies sold in the State, frequency and types of instances in which policies approved by the State fail to meet the standards and requirements of this paragraph, actions taken by the State to bring such policies into compliance, information regarding State programs implementing consumer protection provisions, and such further information as the Secretary in consultation with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners may specify.
(2) The Secretary periodically shall review State regulatory programs to determine if they continue to meet the standards and requirements specified in paragraph (1). If the Secretary finds that a State regulatory program no longer meets the standards and requirements, before making a final determination, the Secretary shall provide the State an opportunity to adopt such a plan of correction as would permit the State regulatory program to continue to meet such standards and requirements. If the Secretary makes a final determination that the State regulatory program, after such an opportunity, fails to meet such standards and requirements, the program shall no longer be considered to have in operation a program meeting such standards and requirements.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a medicare supplemental policy offered in a State shall not be deemed to meet the standards and requirements set forth in subsection (c), with respect to an advertisement (whether through written, radio, or television medium) used (or, at a State’s option, to be used) for the policy in the State, unless the entity issuing the policy provides a copy of each advertisement to the Commissioner of Insurance (or comparable officer identified by the Secretary) of that State for review or approval to the extent it may be required under State law.
(c) Requisite findingsThe Secretary shall certify under this section any medicare supplemental policy, or continue certification of such a policy, only if he finds that such policy (or, with respect to paragraph (3) or the requirement described in subsection (s), the issuer of the policy)—
(1) meets or exceeds (either in a single policy or, in the case of nonprofit hospital and medical service associations, in one or more policies issued in conjunction with one another) the NAIC Model Standards (except as otherwise provided by subsection (t));
(2) meets the requirements of subsection (r);
(3)
(A) accepts a notice under section 1395u(h)(3)(B) of this title as a claim form for benefits under such policy in lieu of any claim form otherwise required and agrees to make a payment determination on the basis of the information contained in such notice;
(B) where such a notice is received—
(i) provides notice to such physician or supplier and the beneficiary of the payment determination under the policy, and
(ii) provides any payment covered by such policy directly to the participating physician or supplier involved;
(C) provides each enrollee at the time of enrollment a card listing the policy name and number and a single mailing address to which notices under section 1395u(h)(3)(B) of this title respecting the policy are to be sent;
(D) agrees to pay any user fees established under section 1395u(h)(3)(B) of this title with respect to information transmitted to the issuer of the policy; and
(E) provides to the Secretary at least annually, for transmittal to carriers, a single mailing address to which notices under section 1395u(h)(3)(B) of this title respecting the policy are to be sent;
(4) may, during a period of not less than 30 days after the policy is issued, be returned for a full refund of any premiums paid (without regard to the manner in which the purchase of the policy was solicited); and
(5) meets the applicable requirements of subsections (o) through (t).
(d) Criminal penalties; civil penalties for certain violations
(1) Whoever knowingly and willfully makes or causes to be made or induces or seeks to induce the making of any false statement or representation of a material fact with respect to the compliance of any policy with the standards and requirements set forth in subsection (c) or in regulations promulgated pursuant to such subsection, or with respect to the use of the emblem designed by the Secretary under subsection (a), shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both, and, in addition to or in lieu of such a criminal penalty, is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $5,000 for each such prohibited act.
(2) Whoever falsely assumes or pretends to be acting, or misrepresents in any way that he is acting, under the authority of or in association with, the program of health insurance established by this subchapter, or any Federal agency, for the purpose of selling or attempting to sell insurance, or in such pretended character demands, or obtains money, paper, documents, or anything of value, shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both, and, in addition to or in lieu of such a criminal penalty, is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $5,000 for each such prohibited act.
(3)
(A)
(i) It is unlawful for a person to sell or issue to an individual entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B of this subchapter (including an individual electing a Medicare+Choice plan under section 1395w–21 of this title)—(I) a health insurance policy with knowledge that the policy duplicates health benefits to which the individual is otherwise entitled under this subchapter or subchapter XIX,(II) in the case of an individual not electing a Medicare+Choice plan, a medicare supplemental policy with knowledge that the individual is entitled to benefits under another medicare supplemental policy or in the case of an individual electing a Medicare+Choice plan, a medicare supplemental policy with knowledge that the policy duplicates health benefits to which the individual is otherwise entitled under the Medicare+Choice plan or under another medicare supplemental policy, or(III) a health insurance policy (other than a medicare supplemental policy) with knowledge that the policy duplicates health benefits to which the individual is otherwise entitled, other than benefits to which the individual is entitled under a requirement of State or Federal law.
(ii) Whoever violates clause (i) shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both, and, in addition to or in lieu of such a criminal penalty, is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $25,000 (or $15,000 in the case of a person other than the issuer of the policy) for each such prohibited act.
(iii) A seller (who is not the issuer of a health insurance policy) shall not be considered to violate clause (i)(II) with respect to the sale of a medicare supplemental policy if the policy is sold in compliance with subparagraph (B).
(iv) For purposes of this subparagraph, a health insurance policy (other than a Medicare supplemental policy) providing for benefits which are payable to or on behalf of an individual without regard to other health benefit coverage of such individual is not considered to “duplicate” any health benefits under this subchapter, under subchapter XIX, or under a health insurance policy, and subclauses (I) and (III) of clause (i) do not apply to such a policy.
(v) For purposes of this subparagraph, a health insurance policy (or a rider to an insurance contract which is not a health insurance policy) is not considered to “duplicate” health benefits under this subchapter or under another health insurance policy if it—(I) provides health care benefits only for long-term care, nursing home care, home health care, or community-based care, or any combination thereof,(II) coordinates against or excludes items and services available or paid for under this subchapter or under another health insurance policy, and(III) for policies sold or issued on or after the end of the 90-day period beginning on August 21, 1996, discloses such coordination or exclusion in the policy’s outline of coverage.
For purposes of this clause, the terms “coordinates” and “coordination” mean, with respect to a policy in relation to health benefits under this subchapter or under another health insurance policy, that the policy under its terms is secondary to, or excludes from payment, items and services to the extent available or paid for under this subchapter or under another health insurance policy.
(vi)(I) An individual entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B of this subchapter who is applying for a health insurance policy (other than a policy described in subclause (III)) shall be furnished a disclosure statement described in clause (vii) for the type of policy being applied for. Such statement shall be furnished as a part of (or together with) the application for such policy.(II) Whoever issues or sells a health insurance policy (other than a policy described in subclause (III)) to an individual described in subclause (I) and fails to furnish the appropriate disclosure statement as required under such subclause shall be fined under title 18, or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both, and, in addition to or in lieu of such a criminal penalty, is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $25,000 (or $15,000 in the case of a person other than the issuer of the policy) for each such violation.(III) A policy described in this subclause (to which subclauses (I) and (II) do not apply) is a Medicare supplemental policy, a policy described in clause (v), or a health insurance policy identified under 60 Federal Register 30880 (June 12, 1995) as a policy not required to have a disclosure statement.(IV) Any reference in this section to the revised NAIC model regulation (referred to in subsection (m)(1)(A)) is deemed a reference to such regulation as revised by section 171(m)(2) of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1994 (Public Law 103–432) and as modified by substituting, for the disclosure required under section 16D(2), disclosure under subclause (I) of an appropriate disclosure statement under clause (vii).
(vii) The disclosure statement described in this clause for a type of policy is the statement specified under subparagraph (D) of this paragraph (as in effect before August 21, 1996) for that type of policy, as revised as follows:(I) In each statement, amend the second line to read as follows:

“THIS IS NOT MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT

(II) In each statement, strike the third line and insert the following: “Some health care services paid for by Medicare may also trigger the payment of benefits under this policy.”.(III) In each statement not described in subclause (V), strike the boldface matter that begins “This insurance” and all that follows up to the next paragraph that begins “Medicare”.(IV) In each statement not described in subclause (V), insert before the boxed matter (that states “Before You Buy This Insurance”) the following: “This policy must pay benefits without regard to other health benefit coverage to which you may be entitled under Medicare or other insurance.”.(V) In a statement relating to policies providing both nursing home and non-institutional coverage, to policies providing nursing home benefits only, or policies providing home care benefits only, amend the sentence that begins “Federal law” to read as follows: “Federal law requires us to inform you that in certain situations this insurance may pay for some care also covered by Medicare.”.
INSURANCE”.
(viii)(I) Subject to subclause (II), nothing in this subparagraph shall restrict or preclude a State’s ability to regulate health insurance policies, including any health insurance policy that is described in clause (iv), (v), or (vi)(III).(II) A State may not declare or specify, in statute, regulation, or otherwise, that a health insurance policy (other than a Medicare supplemental policy) or rider to an insurance contract which is not a health insurance policy, that is described in clause (iv), (v), or (vi)(III) and that is sold, issued, or renewed to an individual entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B “duplicates” health benefits under this subchapter or under a Medicare supplemental policy.
(B)
(i) It is unlawful for a person to issue or sell a medicare supplemental policy to an individual entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B, whether directly, through the mail, or otherwise, unless—(I) the person obtains from the individual, as part of the application for the issuance or purchase and on a form described in clause (ii), a written statement signed by the individual stating, to the best of the individual’s knowledge, what health insurance policies (including any Medicare+Choice plan) the individual has, from what source, and whether the individual is entitled to any medical assistance under subchapter XIX, whether as a qualified medicare beneficiary or otherwise, and(II) the written statement is accompanied by a written acknowledgment, signed by the seller of the policy, of the request for and receipt of such statement.
(ii) The statement required by clause (i) shall be made on a form that—(I) states in substance that a medicare-eligible individual does not need more than one medicare supplemental policy,(II) states in substance that individuals may be eligible for benefits under the State medicaid program under subchapter XIX and that such individuals who are entitled to benefits under that program usually do not need a medicare supplemental policy and that benefits and premiums under any such policy shall be suspended upon request of the policyholder during the period (of not longer than 24 months) of entitlement to benefits under such subchapter and may be reinstituted upon loss of such entitlement, and(III) states that counseling services may be available in the State to provide advice concerning the purchase of medicare supplemental policies and enrollment under the medicaid program and may provide the telephone number for such services.
(iii)(I) Except as provided in subclauses (II) and (III), if the statement required by clause (i) is not obtained or indicates that the individual has a medicare supplemental policy or indicates that the individual is entitled to any medical assistance under subchapter XIX, the sale of a medicare supplemental policy shall be considered to be a violation of subparagraph (A).(II) Subclause (I) shall not apply in the case of an individual who has a medicare supplemental policy, if the individual indicates in writing, as part of the application for purchase, that the policy being purchased replaces such other policy and indicates an intent to terminate the policy being replaced when the new policy becomes effective and the issuer or seller certifies in writing that such policy will not, to the best of the issuer’s or seller’s knowledge, duplicate coverage (taking into account any such replacement).(III) If the statement required by clause (i) is obtained and indicates that the individual is entitled to any medical assistance under subchapter XIX, the sale of the policy is not in violation of clause (i) (insofar as such clause relates to such medical assistance), if (aa) a State medicaid plan under such subchapter pays the premiums for the policy, (bspan) in the case of a qualified medicare beneficiary described in section 1396d(p)(1) of this title, the policy provides for coverage of outpatient prescription drugs, or (cc) the only medical assistance to which the individual is entitled under the State plan is medicare cost sharing described in section 1396d(p)(3)(A)(ii) of this title.
(iv) Whoever issues or sells a medicare supplemental policy in violation of this subparagraph shall be fined under title 18, or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both, and, in addition to or in lieu of such a criminal penalty, is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $25,000 (or $15,000 in the case of a seller who is not the issuer of a policy) for each such violation.
(C) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to the sale or issuance of a group policy or plan of one or more employers or labor organizations, or of the trustees of a fund established by one or more employers or labor organizations (or combination thereof), for employees or former employees (or combination thereof) or for members or former members (or combination thereof) of the labor organizations.
(4)
(A) Whoever knowingly, directly or through his agent, mails or causes to be mailed any matter for a prohibited purpose (as determined under subparagraph (B)) shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both, and, in addition to or in lieu of such a criminal penalty, is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $5,000 for each such prohibited act.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), a prohibited purpose means the advertising, solicitation, or offer for sale of a medicare supplemental policy, or the delivery of such a policy, in or into any State in which such policy has not been approved by the State commissioner or superintendent of insurance.
(C) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in the case of a person who mails or causes to be mailed a medicare supplemental policy into a State if such person has ascertained that the party insured under such policy to whom (or on whose behalf) such policy is mailed is located in such State on a temporary basis.
(D) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in the case of a person who mails or causes to be mailed a duplicate copy of a medicare supplemental policy previously issued to the party to whom (or on whose behalf) such duplicate copy is mailed.
(E) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in the case of an issuer who mails or causes to be mailed a policy, certificate, or other matter solely to comply with the requirements of subsection (q).
(5) The provisions of section 1320a–7a of this title (other than subsections (a) and (span)) shall apply to civil money penalties under paragraphs (1), (2), (3)(A), and (4)(A) in the same manner as such provisions apply to penalties and proceedings under section 1320a–7a(a) of this title.
(e) Dissemination of information
(1) The Secretary shall provide to all individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter (and, to the extent feasible, to individuals about to become so entitled) such information as will permit such individuals to evaluate the value of medicare supplemental policies to them and the relationship of any such policies to benefits provided under this subchapter.
(2) The Secretary shall—
(A) inform all individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter (and, to the extent feasible, individuals about to become so entitled) of—
(i) the actions and practices that are subject to sanctions under subsection (d), and
(ii) the manner in which they may report any such action or practice to an appropriate official of the Department of Health and Human Services (or to an appropriate State official), and
(B) publish the toll-free telephone number for individuals to report suspected violations of the provisions of such subsection.
(3) The Secretary shall provide individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter (and, to the extent feasible, individuals about to become so entitled) with a listing of the addresses and telephone numbers of State and Federal agencies and offices that provide information and assistance to individuals with respect to the selection of medicare supplemental policies.
(f) Study and evaluation of comparative effectiveness of various State approaches to regulating medicare supplemental policies; report to Congress no later than January 1, 1982; periodic evaluations
(1)
(A) The Secretary shall, in consultation with Federal and State regulatory agencies, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, private insurers, and organizations representing consumers and the aged, conduct a comprehensive study and evaluation of the comparative effectiveness of various State approaches to the regulation of medicare supplemental policies in (i) limiting marketing and agent abuse, (ii) assuring the dissemination of such information to individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter (and to other consumers) as is necessary to permit informed choice, (iii) promoting policies which provide reasonable economic benefits for such individuals, (iv) reducing the purchase of unnecessary duplicative coverage, (v) improving price competition, and (vi) establishing effective approved State regulatory programs described in subsection (span).
(B) Such study shall also address the need for standards or certification of health insurance policies, other than medicare supplemental policies, sold to individuals eligible for benefits under this subchapter.
(C) The Secretary shall, no later than January 1, 1982, submit a report to the Congress on the results of such study and evaluation, accompanied by such recommendations as the Secretary finds warranted by such results with respect to the need for legislative or administrative changes to accomplish the objectives set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B), including the need for a mandatory Federal regulatory program to assure the marketing of appropriate types of medicare supplemental policies, and such other means as he finds may be appropriate to enhance effective State regulation of such policies.
(2) The Secretary shall submit to the Congress no later than July 1, 1982, and periodically as may be appropriate thereafter (but not less often than once every 2 years), a report evaluating the effectiveness of the certification procedure and the criminal penalties established under this section, and shall include in such reports an analysis of—
(A) the impact of such procedure and penalties on the types, market share, value, and cost to individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter of medicare supplemental policies which have been certified by the Secretary;
(B) the need for any change in the certification procedure to improve its administration or effectiveness; and
(C) whether the certification program and criminal penalties should be continued.
(3) The Secretary shall provide information via a toll-free telephone number on medicare supplemental policies (including the relationship of State programs under subchapter XIX to such policies).
(g) Definitions
(1) For purposes of this section, a medicare supplemental policy is a health insurance policy or other health benefit plan offered by a private entity to individuals who are entitled to have payment made under this subchapter, which provides reimbursement for expenses incurred for services and items for which payment may be made under this subchapter but which are not reimbursable by reason of the applicability of deductibles, coinsurance amounts, or other limitations imposed pursuant to this subchapter; but does not include a prescription drug plan under part D or a Medicare+Choice plan or any such policy or plan of one or more employers or labor organizations, or of the trustees of a fund established by one or more employers or labor organizations (or combination thereof), for employees or former employees (or combination thereof) or for members or former members (or combination thereof) of the labor organizations and does not include a policy or plan of an eligible organization (as defined in section 1395mm(span) of this title) if the policy or plan provides benefits pursuant to a contract under section 1395mm of this title or an approved demonstration project described in section 603(c) of the Social Security Amendments of 1983, section 2355 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984, or section 9412(span) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, or a policy or plan of an organization if the policy or plan provides benefits pursuant to an agreement under section 1395l(a)(1)(A) of this title. For purposes of this section, the term “policy” includes a certificate issued under such policy.
(2) For purposes of this section:
(A) The term “NAIC Model Standards” means the “NAIC Model Regulation to Implement the Individual Accident and Sickness Insurance Minimum Standards Act”, adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners on June 6, 1979, as it applies to medicare supplemental policies.
(B) The term “State with an approved regulatory program” means a State for which the Secretary has made a determination under subsection (span)(1).
(C) The State in which a policy is issued means—
(i) in the case of an individual policy, the State in which the policyholder resides; and
(ii) in the case of a group policy, the State in which the holder of the master policy resides.
(h) Rules and regulations
(i) Commencement of certification program
(1) No medicare supplemental policy shall be certified and no such policy may be issued bearing the emblem authorized by the Secretary under subsection (a) until July 1, 1982. On and after such date policies certified by the Secretary may bear such emblem, including policies which were issued prior to such date and were subsequently certified, and insurers may notify holders of such certified policies issued prior to such date using such emblem in the notification.
(2)
(A) The Secretary shall not implement the certification program established under subsection (a) with respect to policies issued in a State unless the Panel makes a finding that such State cannot be expected to have established, by July 1, 1982, an approved State regulatory program meeting the standards and requirements of subsection (span)(1). If the Panel makes such a finding, the Secretary shall implement such program under subsection (a) with respect to medicare supplemental policies issued in such State, until such time as the Panel determines that such State has a program that meets the standards and requirements of subsection (span)(1).
(B) Any finding by the Panel under subparagraph (A) shall be transmitted in writing, not later than January 1, 1982, to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and shall not become effective until 60 days after the date of its transmittal to the Committees of the Congress under this subparagraph. In counting such days, days on which either House is not in session because of an adjournment sine die or an adjournment of more than three days to a day certain are excluded in the computation.
(j) State regulation of policies issued in other States
(k) Amended NAIC Model Regulation or Federal model standards applicable; effective date; medicare supplemental policy and State regulatory program meeting applicable standards
(1)
(A) If, within the 90-day period beginning on July 1, 1988, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (in this subsection referred to as the “Association”) amends the NAIC Model Regulation adopted on June 6, 1979 (as it relates to medicare supplemental policies), with respect to matters such as minimum benefit standards, loss ratios, disclosure requirements, and replacement requirements and provisions otherwise necessary to reflect the changes in law made by the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, except as provided in subsection (m), subsection (g)(2)(A) shall be applied in a State, effective on and after the date specified in subparagraph (B), as if the reference to the Model Regulation adopted on June 6, 1979, were a reference to the Model Regulation as amended by the Association in accordance with this paragraph (in this subsection and subsection (l) referred to as the “amended NAIC Model Regulation”).
(B) The date specified in this subparagraph for a State is the earlier of the date the State adopts standards equal to or more stringent than the amended NAIC Model Regulation or 1 year after the date the Association first adopts such amended Regulation.
(2)
(A) If the Association does not amend the NAIC Model Regulation within the 90-day period specified in paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall promulgate, not later than 60 days after the end of such period, Federal model standards (in this subsection and subsection (1) 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “subsection (l)”.
referred to as “Federal model standards”) for medicare supplemental policies to reflect the changes in law made by the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, and subsection (g)(2)(A) shall be applied in a State, effective on and after the date specified in subparagraph (B), as if the reference to the Model Regulation adopted on June 6, 1979, were a reference to Federal model standards.
(B) The date specified in this subparagraph for a State is the earlier of the date the State adopts standards equal to or more stringent than the Federal model standards or 1 year after the date the Secretary first promulgates such standards.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section (except as provided in subsections (l), (m), and (n))—
(A) no medicare supplemental policy may be certified by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a),
(B) no certification made pursuant to subsection (a) shall remain in effect, and
(C) no State regulatory program shall be found to meet (or to continue to meet) the requirements of subsection (span)(1)(A),
unless such policy meets (or such program provides for the application of standards equal to or more stringent than) the standards set forth in the amended NAIC Model Regulation or the Federal model standards (as the case may be) by the date specified in paragraph (1)(B) or (2)(B) (as the case may be).
(l) Transitional compliance with NAIC Model Transition Regulation; “qualifying medicare supplemental policy” and “NAIC Model Transition Regulation” defined
(1) Until the date specified in paragraph (3), in the case of a qualifying medicare supplemental policy described in paragraph (2) issued—
(A) before January 1, 1989, the policy is deemed to remain in compliance with this section if the insurer issuing the policy complies with the NAIC Model Transition Regulation (including giving notices to subscribers and filing for premium adjustments with the State as described in section 5.B. of such Regulation) by January 1, 1989; or
(B) on or after January 1, 1989, the policy is deemed to be in compliance with this section if the insurer issuing the policy complies with the NAIC Model Transition Regulation before the date of the sale of the policy.
(2) In paragraph (1), the term “qualifying medicare supplemental policy” means a medicare supplemental policy—
(A) issued in a State which—
(i) has not adopted standards equal to or more stringent than the NAIC Model Transition Regulation by January 1, 1989, and
(ii) has not adopted standards equal to or more stringent than the amended NAIC Model Regulation (or Federal model standards) by January 1, 1989; and
(B) which has been issued in compliance with this section (as in effect on June 1, 1988).
(3)
(A) The date specified in this paragraph is the earlier of—
(i) the first date a State adopts, after January 1, 1989, standards equal to or more stringent than the NAIC Model Transition Regulation or equal to or more stringent than the amended NAIC Model Regulation (or Federal model standards), as the case may be, or
(ii) the later of (I) the date specified in subsection (k)(1)(B) or (k)(2)(B) (as the case may be), or (II) the date specified in subparagraph (B).
(B) In the case of a State which the Secretary identifies as—
(i) requiring State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for medicare supplemental policies to meet standards described in subparagraph (A)(i), but
(ii) having a legislature which is not scheduled to meet in 1989 in a legislative session in which such legislation may be considered,
the date specified in this subparagraph is the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first legislative session of the State legislature that begins on or after January 1, 1989, and in which legislation described in clause (i) may be considered. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
(4) In the case of a medicare supplemental policy in effect on January 1, 1989, and offered in a State which, as of such date—
(A) has adopted standards equal to or more stringent than the amended NAIC Model Regulation (or Federal model standards), but
(B) does not have in effect standards equal to or more stringent than the NAIC Model Transition Regulation (or otherwise requiring notice substantially the same as the notice required in section 5.B. of such Regulation),
the policy shall not be deemed to meet the standards in subsection (c) unless each individual who is entitled to benefits under this subchapter and is a policyholder under such policy on January 1, 1989, is sent such a notice in any appropriate form by not later than January 31, 1989, that explains—
(A) the improved benefits under this subchapter contained in the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, and
(B) how these improvements affect the benefits contained in the policies and the premium for the policy.
(5) In this subsection, the term “NAIC Model Transition Regulation” refers to the standards contained in the “Model Regulation to Implement Transitional Requirements for the Conversion of Medicare Supplement Insurance Benefits and Premiums to Conform to Medicare Program Revisions” (as adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in September 1987).
(m) Revision of amended NAIC Model Regulation and amended Federal model standards; effective dates; medicare supplemental policy and State regulatory program meeting applicable standards
(1)
(A) If, within the 90-day period beginning on December 13, 1989, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (in this subsection and subsection (n) referred to as the “Association”) revises the amended NAIC Model Regulation (referred to in subsection (k)(1)(A) and adopted on September 20, 1988) to improve such regulation and otherwise to reflect the changes in law made by the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Repeal Act of 1989, subsection (g)(2)(A) shall be applied in a State, effective on and after the date specified in subparagraph (B), as if the reference to the Model Regulation adopted on June 6, 1979, were a reference to the amended NAIC Model Regulation (referred to in subsection (k)(1)(A)) as revised by the Association in accordance with this paragraph (in this subsection and subsection (n) referred to as the “revised NAIC Model Regulation”).
(B) The date specified in this subparagraph for a State is the earlier of the date the State adopts standards equal to or more stringent than the revised NAIC Model Regulation or 1 year after the date the Association first adopts such revised Regulation.
(2)
(A) If the Association does not revise the amended NAIC Model Regulation, within the 90-day period specified in paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall promulgate, not later than 60 days after the end of such period, revised Federal model standards (in this subsection and subsection (n) referred to as “revised Federal model standards”) for medicare supplemental policies to improve such standards and otherwise to reflect the changes in law made by the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Repeal Act of 1989, subsection (g)(2)(A) shall be applied in a State, effective on and after the date specified in subparagraph (B), as if the reference to the Model Regulation adopted on June 6, 1979, were a reference to the revised Federal model standards.
(B) The date specified in this subparagraph for a State is the earlier of the date the State adopts standards equal to or more stringent than the revised Federal model standards or 1 year after the date the Secretary first promulgates such standards.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section (except as provided in subsection (n))—
(A) no medicare supplemental policy may be certified by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a),
(B) no certification made pursuant to subsection (a) shall remain in effect, and
(C) no State regulatory program shall be found to meet (or to continue to meet) the requirements of subsection (span)(1)(A),
unless such policy meets (or such program provides for the application of standards equal to or more stringent than) the standards set forth in the revised NAIC Model Regulation or the revised Federal model standards (as the case may be) by the date specified in paragraph (1)(B) or (2)(B) (as the case may be).
(n) Transition compliance with revision of NAIC Model Regulation and Federal model standards
(1) Until the date specified in paragraph (4), in the case of a qualifying medicare supplemental policy described in paragraph (3) issued in a State—
(A) before the transition deadline, the policy is deemed to remain in compliance with the standards described in subsection (span)(1)(A) only if the insurer issuing the policy complies with the transition provision described in paragraph (2), or
(B) on or after the transition deadline, the policy is deemed to be in compliance with the standards described in subsection (span)(1)(A) only if the insurer issuing the policy complies with the revised NAIC Model Regulation or the revised Federal model standards (as the case may be) before the date of the sale of the policy.
In this paragraph, the term “transition deadline” means 1 year after the date the Association adopts the revised NAIC Model Regulation or 1 year after the date the Secretary promulgates revised Federal model standards (as the case may be).
(2) The transition provision described in this paragraph is—
(A) such transition provision as the Association provides, by not later than December 15, 1989, so as to provide for an appropriate transition (i) to restore benefit provisions which are no longer duplicative as a result of the changes in benefits under this subchapter made by the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Repeal Act of 1989 and (ii) to eliminate the requirement of payment for the first 8 days of coinsurance for extended care services, or
(B) if the Association does not provide for a transition provision by the date described in subparagraph (A), such transition provision as the Secretary shall provide, by January 1, 1990, so as to provide for an appropriate transition described in subparagraph (A).
(3) In paragraph (1), the term “qualifying medicare supplemental policy” means a medicare supplemental policy which has been issued in compliance with this section as in effect on the date before December 13, 1989.
(4)
(A) The date specified in this paragraph for a policy issued in a State is—
(i) the first date a State adopts, after December 13, 1989, standards equal to or more stringent than the revised NAIC Model Regulation (or revised Federal model standards), as the case may be, or
(ii) the date specified in subparagraph (B),
whichever is earlier.
(B) In the case of a State which the Secretary identifies, in consultation with the Association, as—
(i) requiring State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for medicare supplemental policies to meet standards described in subparagraph (A)(i), but
(ii) having a legislature which is not scheduled to meet in 1990 in a legislative session in which such legislation may be considered,
the date specified in this subparagraph is the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first legislative session of the State legislature that begins on or after January 1, 1990. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
(5) In the case of a medicare supplemental policy in effect on January 1, 1990, the policy shall not be deemed to meet the standards in subsection (c) unless each individual who is entitled to benefits under this subchapter and is a policyholder or certificate holder under such policy on such date is sent a notice in an appropriate form by not later than January 31, 1990, that explains—
(A) the changes in benefits under this subchapter effected by the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Repeal Act of 1989, and
(B) how these changes may affect the benefits contained in such policy and the premium for the policy.
(6)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in the case of an individual who had in effect, as of December 31, 1988, a medicare supplemental policy with an insurer (as a policyholder or, in the case of a group policy, as a certificate holder) and the individual terminated coverage under such policy before December 13, 1989, no medicare supplemental policy of the insurer shall be deemed to meet the standards in subsection (c) unless the insurer—
(i) provides written notice, no earlier than December 15, 1989, and no later than January 30, 1990, to the policyholder or certificate holder (at the most recent available address) of the offer described in clause (ii), and
(ii) offers the individual, during a period of at least 60 days beginning not later than February 1, 1990, reinstitution of coverage (with coverage effective as of January 1, 1990), under the terms which (I) do not provide for any waiting period with respect to treatment of pre-existing conditions, (II) provides for coverage which is substantially equivalent to coverage in effect before the date of such termination, and (III) provides for classification of premiums on which terms are at least as favorable to the policyholder or certificate holder as the premium classification terms that would have applied to the policyholder or certificate holder had the coverage never terminated.
(B) An insurer is not required to make the offer under subparagraph (A)(ii) in the case of an individual who is a policyholder or certificate holder in another medicare supplemental policy as of December 13, 1989, if (as of January 1, 1990) the individual is not subject to a waiting period with respect to treatment of a pre-existing condition under such other policy.
(o) Requirements of group benefits; core group benefits; uniform outline of coverageThe requirements of this subsection are as follows:
(1) Each medicare supplemental policy shall provide for coverage of a group of benefits consistent with subsections (p), (v) 2
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
(w), and (y).
(2) If the medicare supplemental policy provides for coverage of a group of benefits other than the core group of basic benefits described in subsection (p)(2)(B), the issuer of the policy must make available to the individual a medicare supplemental policy with only such core group of basic benefits.
(3) The issuer of the policy has provided, before the sale of the policy, an outline of coverage that uses uniform language and format (including layout and print size) that facilitates comparison among medicare supplemental policies and comparison with medicare benefits.
(4) The issuer of the medicare supplemental policy complies with subsection (s)(2)(E) and subsection (x).
(5) In addition to the requirement under paragraph (2), the issuer of the policy must make available to the individual at least Medicare supplemental policies with benefit packages classified as “C” or “F”.
(p) Standards for group benefits
(1)
(A) If, within 9 months after November 5, 1990, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (in this subsection referred to as the “Association”) changes the revised NAIC Model Regulation (described in subsection (m)) to incorporate—
(i) limitations on the groups or packages of benefits that may be offered under a medicare supplemental policy consistent with paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection,
(ii) uniform language and definitions to be used with respect to such benefits,
(iii) uniform format to be used in the policy with respect to such benefits, and
(iv) other standards to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990,
subsection (g)(2)(A) shall be applied in each State, effective for policies issued to policyholders on and after the date specified in subparagraph (C), as if the reference to the Model Regulation adopted on June 6, 1979, were a reference to the revised NAIC Model Regulation as changed under this subparagraph (such changed regulation referred to in this section as the “1991 NAIC Model Regulation”).
(B) If the Association does not make the changes in the revised NAIC Model Regulation within the 9-month period specified in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall promulgate, not later than 9 months after the end of such period, a regulation and subsection (g)(2)(A) shall be applied in each State, effective for policies issued to policyholders on and after the date specified in subparagraph (C), as if the reference to the Model Regulation adopted on June 6, 1979, were a reference to the revised NAIC Model Regulation as changed by the Secretary under this subparagraph (such changed regulation referred to in this section as the “1991 Federal Regulation”).
(C)
(i) Subject to clause (ii), the date specified in this subparagraph for a State is the date the State adopts the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation or 1 year after the date the Association or the Secretary first adopts such standards, whichever is earlier.
(ii) In the case of a State which the Secretary identifies, in consultation with the Association, as—(I) requiring State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for medicare supplemental policies to meet the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation, but(II) having a legislature which is not scheduled to meet in 1992 in a legislative session in which such legislation may be considered,
the date specified in this subparagraph is the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first legislative session of the State legislature that begins on or after January 1, 1992. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
(D) In promulgating standards under this paragraph, the Association or Secretary shall consult with a working group composed of representatives of issuers of medicare supplemental policies, consumer groups, medicare beneficiaries, and other qualified individuals. Such representatives shall be selected in a manner so as to assure balanced representation among the interested groups.
(E) If benefits (including deductibles and coinsurance) under this subchapter are changed and the Secretary determines, in consultation with the Association, that changes in the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation are needed to reflect such changes, the preceding provisions of this paragraph shall apply to the modification of standards previously established in the same manner as they applied to the original establishment of such standards.
(2) The benefits under the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation shall provide—
(A) for such groups or packages of benefits as may be appropriate taking into account the considerations specified in paragraph (3) and the requirements of the succeeding subparagraphs;
(B) for identification of a core group of basic benefits common to all policies; and
(C) that, subject to paragraph (4)(B), the total number of different benefit packages (counting the core group of basic benefits described in subparagraph (B) and each other combination of benefits that may be offered as a separate benefit package) that may be established in all the States and by all issuers shall not exceed 10 plus the 2 plans described in paragraph (11)(A).
(3) The benefits under paragraph (2) shall, to the extent possible—
(A) provide for benefits that offer consumers the ability to purchase the benefits that are available in the market as of November 5, 1990; and
(B) balance the objectives of (i) simplifying the market to facilitate comparisons among policies, (ii) avoiding adverse selection, (iii) providing consumer choice, (iv) providing market stability, and (v) promoting competition.
(4)
(A)
(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) or paragraph (6), no State with a regulatory program approved under subsection (span)(1) may provide for or permit the grouping of benefits (or language or format with respect to such benefits) under a medicare supplemental policy unless such grouping meets the applicable 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation.
(ii) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary may not provide for or permit the grouping of benefits (or language or format with respect to such benefits) under a medicare supplemental policy seeking approval by the Secretary unless such grouping meets the applicable 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation.
(B) With the approval of the State (in the case of a policy issued in a State with an approved regulatory program) or the Secretary (in the case of any other policy), the issuer of a medicare supplemental policy may offer new or innovative benefits in addition to the benefits provided in a policy that otherwise complies with the applicable 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation. Any such new or innovative benefits may include benefits that are not otherwise available and are cost-effective and shall be offered in a manner which is consistent with the goal of simplification of medicare supplemental policies.
(5)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), this subsection shall not be construed as preventing a State from restricting the groups of benefits that may be offered in medicare supplemental policies in the State.
(B) A State with a regulatory program approved under subsection (span)(1) may not restrict under subparagraph (A) the offering of a medicare supplemental policy consisting only of the core group of benefits described in paragraph (2)(B).
(6) The Secretary may waive the application of standards described in clauses (i) through (iii) of paragraph (1)(A) in those States that on November 5, 1990, had in place an alternative simplification program.
(7) This subsection shall not be construed as preventing an issuer of a medicare supplemental policy who otherwise meets the re­quirements of this section from providing, through an arrangement with a vendor, for discounts from that vendor to policyholders or certificateholders for the purchase of items or services not covered under its medicare supplemental policies.
(8) Any person who sells or issues a medicare supplemental policy, on and after the effective date specified in paragraph (1)(C) (but subject to paragraph (10)), in violation of the applicable 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation insofar as such regulation relates to the requirements of subsection (o) or (q) or clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of paragraph (1)(A) is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $25,000 (or $15,000 in the case of a seller who is not an issuer of a policy) for each such violation. The provisions of section 1320a–7a of this title (other than the first sentence of subsection (a) and other than subsection (span)) shall apply to a civil money penalty under the previous sentence in the same manner as such provisions apply to a penalty or proceeding under section 1320a–7a(a) of this title.
(9)
(A) Anyone who sells a medicare supplemental policy to an individual shall make available for sale to the individual a medicare supplemental policy with only the core group of basic benefits (described in paragraph (2)(B)).
(B) Anyone who sells a medicare supplemental policy to an individual shall provide the individual, before the sale of the policy, an outline of coverage which describes the benefits under the policy. Such outline shall be on a standard form approved by the State regulatory program or the Secretary (as the case may be) consistent with the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation under this subsection.
(C) Whoever sells a medicare supplemental policy in violation of this paragraph is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $25,000 (or $15,000 in the case of a seller who is not the issuer of the policy) for each such violation. The provisions of section 1320a–7a of this title (other than the first sentence of subsection (a) and other than subsection (span)) shall apply to a civil money penalty under the previous sentence in the same manner as such provisions apply to a penalty or proceeding under section 1320a–7a(a) of this title.
(D) Subject to paragraph (10), this paragraph shall apply to sales of policies occurring on or after the effective date specified in paragraph (1)(C).
(10) No penalty may be imposed under paragraph (8) or (9) in the case of a seller who is not the issuer of a policy until the Secretary has published a list of the groups of benefit packages that may be sold or issued consistent with paragraph (1)(A)(i).
(11)
(A) For purposes of paragraph (2), the benefit packages described in this subparagraph are as follows:
(i) The benefit package classified as “F” under the standards established by such paragraph, except that it has a high deductible feature.
(ii) The benefit package classified as “J” under the standards established by such paragraph, except that it has a high deductible feature.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), a high deductible feature is one which—
(i) requires the beneficiary of the policy to pay annual out-of-pocket expenses (other than premiums) in the amount specified in subparagraph (C) before the policy begins payment of benefits, and
(ii) covers 100 percent of covered out-of-pocket expenses once such deductible has been satisfied in a year.
(C) The amount specified in this subparagraph—
(i) for 1998 and 1999 is $1,500, and
(ii) for a subsequent year, is the amount specified in this subparagraph for the previous year increased by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (all items; U.S. city average) for the 12-month period ending with August of the preceding year.
If any amount determined under clause (ii) is not a multiple of $10, it shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10.
(q) Guaranteed renewal of policies; termination; suspensionThe requirements of this subsection are as follows:
(1) Each medicare supplemental policy shall be guaranteed renewable and—
(A) the issuer may not cancel or nonrenew the policy solely on the ground of health status of the individual; and
(B) the issuer shall not cancel or nonrenew the policy for any reason other than nonpayment of premium or material misrepresentation.
(2) If the medicare supplemental policy is terminated by the group policyholder and is not replaced as provided under paragraph (4), the issuer shall offer certificateholders an individual medicare supplemental policy which (at the option of the certificateholder)—
(A) provides for continuation of the benefits contained in the group policy, or
(B) provides for such benefits as otherwise meets 3
3 So in original. Probably should be “meet”.
the requirements of this section.
(3) If an individual is a certificateholder in a group medicare supplemental policy and the individual terminates membership in the group, the issuer shall—
(A) offer the certificateholder the conversion opportunity described in paragraph (2), or
(B) at the option of the group policyholder, offer the certificateholder continuation of coverage under the group policy.
(4) If a group medicare supplemental policy is replaced by another group medicare supplemental policy purchased by the same policyholder, issuer 4
4 So in original. Probably should be preceded by “the”.
of the replacement policy shall offer coverage to all persons covered under the old group policy on its date of termination. Coverage under the new group policy shall not result in any exclusion for preexisting conditions that would have been covered under the group policy being replaced.
(5)
(A) Each medicare supplemental policy shall provide that benefits and premiums under the policy shall be suspended at the request of the policyholder for the period (not to exceed 24 months) in which the policyholder has applied for and is determined to be entitled to medical assistance under subchapter XIX, but only if the policyholder notifies the issuer of such policy within 90 days after the date the individual becomes entitled to such assistance. If such suspension occurs and if the policyholder or certificate holder loses entitlement to such medical assistance, such policy shall be automatically reinstituted (effective as of the date of termination of such entitlement) under terms described in subsection (n)(6)(A)(ii) as of the termination of such entitlement if the policyholder provides notice of loss of such entitlement within 90 days after the date of such loss.
(B) Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the authority of a State, under subchapter XIX, to purchase a medicare supplemental policy for an individual otherwise entitled to assistance under such subchapter.
(C) Any person who issues a medicare supplemental policy and fails to comply with the requirements of this paragraph or paragraph (6) is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $25,000 for each such violation. The provisions of section 1320a–7a of this title (other than the first sentence of subsection (a) and other than subsection (span)) shall apply to a civil money penalty under the previous sentence in the same manner as such provisions apply to a penalty or proceeding under section 1320a–7a(a) of this title.
(6) Each medicare supplemental policy shall provide that benefits and premiums under the policy shall be suspended at the request of the policyholder if the policyholder is entitled to benefits under section 426(span) of this title and is covered under a group health plan (as defined in section 1395y(span)(1)(A)(v) of this title). If such suspension occurs and if the policyholder or certificate holder loses coverage under the group health plan, such policy shall be automatically reinstituted (effective as of the date of such loss of coverage) under terms described in subsection (n)(6)(A)(ii) as of the loss of such coverage if the policyholder provides notice of loss of such coverage within 90 days after the date of such loss.
(r) Required ratio of aggregate benefits to aggregate premiums
(1) A medicare supplemental policy may not be issued or renewed (or otherwise provide coverage after the date described in subsection (p)(1)(C)) in any State unless—
(A) the policy can be expected for periods after the effective date of these provisions (as estimated for the entire period for which rates are computed to provide coverage, on the basis of incurred claims experience and earned premiums for such periods and in accordance with a uniform methodology, including uniform reporting standards, developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) to return to policyholders in the form of aggregate benefits provided under the policy, at least 75 percent of the aggregate amount of premiums collected in the case of group policies and at least 65 percent in the case of individual policies; and
(B) the issuer of the policy provides for the issuance of a proportional refund, or a credit against future premiums of a proportional amount, based on the premium paid and in accordance with paragraph (2), of the amount of premiums received necessary to assure that the ratio of aggregate benefits provided to the aggregate premiums collected (net of such refunds or credits) complies with the expectation required under subparagraph (A), treating policies of the same type as a single policy for each standard package.
For purposes of applying subparagraph (A) only, policies issued as a result of solicitations of individuals through the mails or by mass media advertising (including both print and broadcast advertising) shall be deemed to be individual policies. For the purpose of calculating the refund or credit required under paragraph (1)(B) for a policy issued before the date specified in subsection (p)(1)(C), the refund or credit calculation shall be based on the aggregate benefits provided and premiums collected under all such policies issued by an insurer in a State (separated as to individual and group policies) and shall be based only on aggregate benefits provided and premiums collected under such policies after the date specified in section 171(m)(4) of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1994.
(2)
(A) Paragraph (1)(B) shall be applied with respect to each type of policy by standard package. Paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply to a policy until 12 months following issue. The Comptroller General, in consultation with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, shall submit to Congress a report containing recommendations on adjustments in the percentages under paragraph (1)(A) that may be appropriate. In the case of a policy issued before the date specified in subsection (p)(1)(C), paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply until 1 year after the date specified in section 171(m)(4) of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1994.
(B) A refund or credit required under paragraph (1)(B) shall be made to each policyholder insured under the applicable policy as of the last day of the year involved.
(C) Such a refund or credit shall include interest from the end of the calendar year involved until the date of the refund or credit at a rate as specified by the Secretary for this purpose from time to time which is not less than the average rate of interest for 13-week Treasury notes.
(D) For purposes of this paragraph and paragraph (1)(B), refunds or credits against premiums due shall be made, with respect to a calendar year, not later than the third quarter of the succeeding calendar year.
(3) The provisions of this subsection do not preempt a State from requiring a higher percentage than that specified in paragraph (1)(A).
(4) The Secretary shall submit in October of each year (beginning with 1993) a report to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate on loss ratios under medicare supplemental policies and the use of sanctions, such as a required rebate or credit or the disallowance of premium increases, for policies that fail to meet the requirements of this subsection (relating to loss ratios). Such report shall include a list of the policies that failed to comply with such loss ratio requirements or other requirements of this section.
(5) The Secretary may perform audits with respect to the compliance of medicare supplemental policies with the loss ratio requirements of this subsection and shall report the results of such audits to the State involved.
(6)
(A) A person who fails to provide refunds or credits as required in paragraph (1)(B) is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $25,000 for each policy issued for which such failure occurred. The provisions of section 1320a–7a of this title (other than the first sentence of subsection (a) and other than subsection (span)) shall apply to a civil money penalty under the previous sentence in the same manner as such provisions apply to a penalty or proceeding under section 1320a–7a(a) of this title.
(B) Each issuer of a policy subject to the requirements of paragraph (1)(B) shall be liable to the policyholder or, in the case of a group policy, to the certificate holder for credits required under such paragraph.
(s) Coverage for pre-existing conditions
(1) If a medicare supplemental policy replaces another medicare supplemental policy, the issuer of the replacing policy shall waive any time periods applicable to preexisting conditions, waiting period, elimination periods and probationary periods in the new medicare supplemental policy for similar benefits to the extent such time was spent under the original policy.
(2)
(A) The issuer of a medicare supplemental policy may not deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness of a medicare supplemental policy, or discriminate in the pricing of the policy, because of health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition in the case of an individual for whom an application is submitted prior to or during the 6 month period beginning with the first month as of the first day on which the individual is 65 years of age or older and is enrolled for benefits under part B.
(B) Subject to subparagraphs (C) and (D), subparagraph (A) shall not be construed as preventing the exclusion of benefits under a policy, during its first 6 months, based on a pre-existing condition for which the policyholder received treatment or was otherwise diagnosed during the 6 months before the policy became effective.
(C) If a medicare supplemental policy or certificate replaces another such policy or certificate which has been in effect for 6 months or longer, the replacing policy may not provide any time period applicable to pre-existing conditions, waiting periods, elimination periods, and probationary periods in the new policy or certificate for similar benefits.
(D) In the case of a policy issued during the 6-month period described in subparagraph (A) to an individual who is 65 years of age or older as of the date of issuance and who as of the date of the application for enrollment has a continuous period of creditable coverage (as defined in section 2701(c) 5
5 See References in Text note below.
of the Public Health Service Act) of—
(i) at least 6 months, the policy may not exclude benefits based on a pre-existing condition; or
(ii) less than 6 months, if the policy excludes benefits based on a preexisting condition, the policy shall reduce the period of any preexisting condition exclusion by the aggregate of the periods of creditable coverage (if any, as so defined) applicable to the individual as of the enrollment date.
The Secretary shall specify the manner of the reduction under clause (ii), based upon the rules used by the Secretary in carrying out section 2701(a)(3) of such Act.
(E) An issuer of a medicare supplemental policy shall not deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness of the policy (including the imposition of any exclusion of benefits under the policy based on a pre-existing condition) and shall not discriminate in the pricing of the policy (including the adjustment of premium rates) of an individual on the basis of the genetic information with respect to such individual.
(F)Rule of construction.—Nothing in subparagraph (E) or in subparagraphs (A) or (B) of subsection (x)(2) shall be construed to limit the ability of an issuer of a medicare supplemental policy from, to the extent otherwise permitted under this subchapter—
(i) denying or conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of the policy or increasing the premium for an employer based on the manifestation of a disease or disorder of an individual who is covered under the policy; or
(ii) increasing the premium for any policy issued to an individual based on the manifestation of a disease or disorder of an individual who is covered under the policy (in such case, the manifestation of a disease or disorder in one individual cannot also be used as genetic information about other group members and to further increase the premium for the employer).
(3)
(A) The issuer of a medicare supplemental policy—
(i) may not deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness of a medicare supplemental policy described in subparagraph (C) that is offered and is available for issuance to new enrollees by such issuer;
(ii) may not discriminate in the pricing of such policy, because of health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition; and
(iii) may not impose an exclusion of benefits based on a preexisting condition under such policy,
in the case of an individual described in subparagraph (B) who seeks to enroll under the policy during the period specified in subparagraph (E) and who submits evidence of the date of termination or disenrollment along with the application for such medicare supplemental policy.
(B) An individual described in this subparagraph is an individual described in any of the following clauses:
(i) The individual is enrolled under an employee welfare benefit plan that provides health benefits that supplement the benefits under this subchapter and the plan terminates or ceases to provide all such supplemental health benefits to the individual.
(ii) The individual is enrolled with a Medicare+Choice organization under a Medicare+Choice plan under part C, and there are circumstances permitting discontinuance of the individual’s election of the plan under the first sentence of section 1395w–21(e)(4) of this title or the individual is 65 years of age or older and is enrolled with a PACE provider under section 1395eee of this title, and there are circumstances that would permit the discontinuance of the individual’s enrollment with such provider under circumstances that are similar to the circumstances that would permit discontinuance of the individual’s election under the first sentence of such section if such individual were enrolled in a Medicare+Choice plan.
(iii) The individual is enrolled with an eligible organization under a contract under section 1395mm of this title, a similar organization operating under demonstration project authority, effective for periods before April 1, 1999, with an organization under an agreement under section 1395l(a)(1)(A) of this title, or with an organization under a policy described in subsection (t), and such enrollment ceases under the same circumstances that would permit discontinuance of an individual’s election of coverage under the first sentence of section 1395w–21(e)(4) of this title and, in the case of a policy described in subsection (t), there is no provision under applicable State law for the continuation or conversion of coverage under such policy.
(iv) The individual is enrolled under a medicare supplemental policy under this section and such enrollment ceases because—(I) of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the issuer or because of other involuntary termination of coverage or enrollment under such policy and there is no provision under applicable State law for the continuation or conversion of such coverage;(II) the issuer of the policy substantially violated a material provision of the policy; or(III) the issuer (or an agent or other entity acting on the issuer’s behalf) materially misrepresented the policy’s provisions in marketing the policy to the individual.
(v) The individual—(I) was enrolled under a medicare supplemental policy under this section,(II) subsequently terminates such enrollment and enrolls, for the first time, with any Medicare+Choice organization under a Medicare+Choice plan under part C, any eligible organization under a contract under section 1395mm of this title, any similar organization operating under demonstration project authority, any PACE provider under section 1395eee of this title, or any policy described in subsection (t), and(III) the subsequent enrollment under subclause (II) is terminated by the enrollee during any period within the first 12 months of such enrollment (during which the enrollee is permitted to terminate such subsequent enrollment under section 1395w–21(e) of this title).
(vi) The individual, upon first becoming eligible for benefits under part A at age 65, enrolls in a Medicare+ÐChoice plan under part C or in a PACE program under section 1395eee of this title, and disenrolls from such plan or such program by not later than 12 months after the effective date of such enrollment.
(C)
(i) Subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), a medicare supplemental policy described in this subparagraph is a medicare supplemental policy which has a benefit package classified as “A”, “B”, “C”, or “F” under the standards established under subsection (p)(2).
(ii)(I) Subject to subclause (II), only for purposes of an individual described in subparagraph (B)(v), a medicare supplemental policy described in this subparagraph is the same medicare supplemental policy referred to in such subparagraph in which the individual was most recently previously enrolled, if available from the same issuer, or, if not so available, a policy described in clause (i).(II) If the medicare supplemental policy referred to in subparagraph (B)(v) was a medigap Rx policy (as defined in subsection (v)(6)(A)), a medicare supplemental policy described in this subparagraph is such policy in which the individual was most recently enrolled as modified under subsection (v)(2)(C)(i) or, at the election of the individual, a policy referred to in subsection (v)(3)(A)(i).
(iii) Only for purposes of an individual described in subparagraph (B)(vi) and subject to subsection (v)(1), a medicare supplemental policy described in this subparagraph shall include any medicare supplemental policy.
(iv) For purposes of applying this paragraph in the case of a State that provides for offering of benefit packages other than under the classification referred to in clause (i), the references to benefit packages in such clause are deemed references to comparable benefit packages offered in such State.
(D) At the time of an event described in subparagraph (B) because of which an individual ceases enrollment or loses coverage or benefits under a contract or agreement, policy, or plan, the organization that offers the contract or agreement, the insurer offering the policy, or the administrator of the plan, respectively, shall notify the individual of the rights of the individual under this paragraph, and obligations of issuers of medicare supplemental policies, under subparagraph (A).
(E) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the time period specified in this subparagraph is—
(i) in the case of an individual described in subparagraph (B)(i), the period beginning on the date the individual receives a notice of termination or cessation of all supplemental health benefits (or, if no such notice is received, notice that a claim has been denied because of such a termination or cessation) and ending on the date that is 63 days after the applicable notice;
(ii) in the case of an individual described in clause (ii), (iii), (v), or (vi) of subparagraph (B) whose enrollment is terminated involuntarily, the period beginning on the date that the individual receives a notice of termination and ending on the date that is 63 days after the date the applicable coverage is terminated;
(iii) in the case of an individual described in subparagraph (B)(iv)(I), the period beginning on the earlier of (I) the date that the individual receives a notice of termination, a notice of the issuer’s bankruptcy or insolvency, or other such similar notice, if any, and (II) the date that the applicable coverage is terminated, and ending on the date that is 63 days after the date the coverage is terminated;
(iv) in the case of an individual described in clause (ii), (iii), (iv)(II), (iv)(III), (v), or (vi) of subparagraph (B) who disenrolls voluntarily, the period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the effective date of the disenrollment and ending on the date that is 63 days after such effective date; and
(v) in the case of an individual described in subparagraph (B) but not described in the preceding provisions of this subparagraph, the period beginning on the effective date of the disenrollment and ending on the date that is 63 days after such effective date.
(F)
(i) Subject to clause (ii), for purposes of this paragraph—(I) in the case of an individual described in subparagraph (B)(v) (or deemed to be so described, pursuant to this subparagraph) whose enrollment with an organization or provider described in subclause (II) of such subparagraph is involuntarily terminated within the first 12 months of such enrollment, and who, without an intervening enrollment, enrolls with another such organization or provider, such subsequent enrollment shall be deemed to be an initial enrollment described in such subparagraph; and(II) in the case of an individual described in clause (vi) of subparagraph (B) (or deemed to be so described, pursuant to this subparagraph) whose enrollment with a plan or in a program described in such clause is involuntarily terminated within the first 12 months of such enrollment, and who, without an intervening enrollment, enrolls in another such plan or program, such subsequent enrollment shall be deemed to be an initial enrollment described in such clause.
(ii) For purposes of clauses (v) and (vi) of subparagraph (B), no enrollment of an individual with an organization or provider described in clause (v)(II), or with a plan or in a program described in clause (vi), may be deemed to be an initial enrollment under this clause after the 2-year period beginning on the date on which the individual first enrolled with such an organization, provider, plan, or program.
(4) Any issuer of a medicare supplemental policy that fails to meet the requirements of this subsection is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $5,000 for each such failure. The provisions of section 1320a–7a of this title (other than the first sentence of subsection (a) and other than subsection (span)) shall apply to a civil money penalty under the previous sentence in the same manner as such provisions apply to a penalty or proceeding under section 1320a–7a(a) of this title.
(t) Medicare select policies
(1) If a medicare supplemental policy meets the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation and otherwise complies with the requirements of this section except that benefits under the policy are restricted to items and services furnished by certain entities (or reduced benefits are provided when items or services are furnished by other entities), the policy shall nevertheless be treated as meeting those standards if—
(A) full benefits are provided for items and services furnished through a network of entities which have entered into contracts or agreements with the issuer of the policy;
(B) full benefits are provided for items and services furnished by other entities if the services are medically necessary and immediately required because of an unforeseen illness, injury, or condition and it is not reasonable given the circumstances to obtain the services through the network;
(C) the network offers sufficient access;
(D) the issuer of the policy has arrangements for an ongoing quality assurance program for items and services furnished through the network;
(E)
(i) the issuer of the policy provides to each enrollee at the time of enrollment an explanation of (I) the restrictions on payment under the policy for services furnished other than by or through the network, (II) out of area coverage under the policy, (III) the policy’s coverage of emergency services and urgently needed care, and (IV) the availability of a policy through the entity that meets the standards in the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation without reference to this subsection and the premium charged for such policy, and
(ii) each enrollee prior to enrollment acknowledges receipt of the explanation provided under clause (i); and
(F) the issuer of the policy makes available to individuals, in addition to the policy described in this subsection, any policy (otherwise offered by the issuer to individuals in the State) that meets the standards in the 1991 NAIC Model Regulation or 1991 Federal Regulation and other requirements of this section without reference to this subsection.
(2) If the Secretary determines that an issuer of a policy approved under paragraph (1)—
(A) fails substantially to provide medically necessary items and services to enrollees seeking such items and services through the issuer’s network, if the failure has adversely affected (or has substantial likelihood of adversely affecting) the individual,
(B) imposes premiums on enrollees in excess of the premiums approved by the State,
(C) acts to expel an enrollee for reasons other than nonpayment of premiums, or
(D) does not provide the explanation required under paragraph (1)(E)(i) or does not obtain the acknowledgment required under paragraph (1)(E)(ii),
the issuer is subject to a civil money penalty in an amount not to exceed $25,000 for each such violation. The provisions of section 1320a–7a of this title (other than the first sentence of subsection (a) and other than subsection (span)) shall apply to a civil money penalty under the previous sentence in the same manner as such provisions apply to a penalty or proceeding under section 1320a–7a(a) of this title.
(3) The Secretary may enter into a contract with an entity whose policy has been certified under paragraph (1) or has been approved by a State under subsection (span)(1)(H) to determine whether items and services (furnished to individuals entitled to benefits under this subchapter and under that policy) are not allowable under section 1395y(a)(1) of this title. Payments to the entity shall be in such amounts as the Secretary may determine, taking into account estimated savings under contracts with carriers and fiscal intermediaries and other factors that the Secretary finds appropriate. Paragraph (1), the first sentence of paragraph (2)(A), paragraph (2)(B), paragraph (3)(C), paragraph (3)(D), and paragraph (3)(E) 5 of section 1395u(span) of this title shall apply to the entity.
(u) Additional rules relating to individuals enrolled in MSA plans and in private fee-for-service plans
(1) It is unlawful for a person to sell or issue a policy described in paragraph (2) to an individual with knowledge that the individual has in effect under section 1395w–21 of this title an election of an MSA plan or a Medicare+Choice private fee-for-service plan.
(2)
(A) A policy described in this subparagraph is a health insurance policy (other than a policy described in subparagraph (B)) that provides for coverage of expenses that are otherwise required to be counted toward meeting the annual deductible amount provided under the MSA plan.
(B) A policy described in this subparagraph is any of the following:
(i) A policy that provides coverage (whether through insurance or otherwise) for accidents, disability, dental care, vision care, or long-term care.
(ii) A policy of insurance to which substantially all of the coverage relates to—(I) liabilities incurred under workers’ compensation laws,(II) tort liabilities,(III) liabilities relating to ownership or use of property, or(IV) such other similar liabilities as the Secretary may specify by regulations.
(iii) A policy of insurance that provides coverage for a specified disease or illness.
(iv) A policy of insurance that pays a fixed amount per day (or other period) of hospitalization.
(v) Rules relating to medigap policies that provide prescription drug coverage
(1) Prohibition on sale, issuance, and renewal of new policies that provide prescription drug coverage
(A) In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, on or after January 1, 2006, a medigap Rx policy (as defined in paragraph (6)(A)) may not be sold, issued, or renewed under this section—
(i) to an individual who is a part D enrollee (as defined in paragraph (6)(B)); or
(ii) except as provided in subparagraph (B), to an individual who is not a part D enrollee.
(B) Continuation permitted for non-part D enrollees
(C) Construction
(2) Elimination of duplicative coverage upon part D enrollment
(A) In generalIn the case of an individual who is covered under a medigap Rx policy and enrolls under a part D plan—
(i) before the end of the initial part D enrollment period, the individual may—(I) enroll in a medicare supplemental policy without prescription drug coverage under paragraph (3); or(II) continue the policy in effect subject to the modification described in subparagraph (C)(i); or
(ii) after the end of such period, the individual may continue the policy in effect subject to such modification.
(B) Notice required to be provided to current policyholders with medigap Rx policyNo medicare supplemental policy of an issuer shall be deemed to meet the standards in subsection (c) unless the issuer provides written notice (in accordance with standards of the Secretary established in consultation with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) during the 60-day period immediately preceding the initial part D enrollment period, to each individual who is a policyholder or certificate holder of a medigap Rx policy (at the most recent available address of that individual) of the following:
(i) If the individual enrolls in a plan under part D during the initial enrollment period under section 1395w–101(span)(2)(A) of this title, the individual has the option of—(I) continuing enrollment in the individual’s current plan, but the plan’s coverage of prescription drugs will be modified under subparagraph (C)(i); or(II) enrolling in another medicare supplemental policy pursuant to paragraph (3).
(ii) If the individual does not enroll in a plan under part D during such period, the individual may continue enrollment in the individual’s current plan without change, but—(I) the individual will not be guaranteed the option of enrollment in another medicare supplemental policy pursuant to paragraph (3); and(II) if the current plan does not provide creditable prescription drug coverage (as defined in section 1395w–113(span)(4) of this title), notice of such fact and that there are limitations on the periods in a year in which the individual may enroll under a part D plan and any such enrollment is subject to a late enrollment penalty.
(iii) Such other information as the Secretary may specify (in consultation with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), including the potential impact of such election on premiums for medicare supplemental policies.
(C) Modification
(i) In general
(ii) Continuation of renewability and application of modificationNo medicare supplemental policy of an issuer shall be deemed to meet the standards in subsection (c) unless the issuer—(I) continues renewability of medigap Rx policies that it has issued, subject to subclause (II); and(II) applies the policy modification described in clause (i) in the cases described in clauses (i)(II) and (ii) of subparagraph (A).
(D) References to Rx policies
(i) H, I, and J policies
(ii) Application in waivered States
(3) Availability of substitute policies with guaranteed issue
(A) In generalThe issuer of a medicare supplemental policy—
(i) may not deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness of a medicare supplemental policy that has a benefit package classified as “A”, “B”, “C”, or “F” (including the benefit package classified as “F” with a high deductible feature, as described in subsection (p)(11)), under the standards established under subsection (p)(2), or a benefit package described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (w)(2) and that is offered and is available for issuance to new enrollees by such issuer;
(ii) may not discriminate in the pricing of such policy, because of health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition; and
(iii) may not impose an exclusion of benefits based on a pre-existing condition under such policy,
in the case of an individual described in subparagraph (B) who seeks to enroll under the policy not later than 63 days after the effective date of the individual’s coverage under a part D plan.
(B) Individual coveredAn individual described in this subparagraph with respect to the issuer of a medicare supplemental policy is an individual who—
(i) enrolls in a part D plan during the initial part D enrollment period;
(ii) at the time of such enrollment was enrolled in a medigap Rx policy issued by such issuer; and
(iii) terminates enrollment in such policy and submits evidence of such termination along with the application for the policy under subparagraph (A).
(C) Special rule for waivered States
(4) Enforcement
(A) Penalties for duplication
(B) Guaranteed issue
(5) Construction
(6) DefinitionsFor purposes of this subsection:
(A) Medigap Rx policyThe term “medigap Rx policy” means a medicare supplemental policy—
(i) which has a benefit package classified as “H”, “I”, or “J” (including the benefit package classified as “J” with a high deductible feature, as described in subsection (p)(11)) under the standards established under subsection (p)(2), without regard to this subsection; and
(ii) to which such standards do not apply (or to which such standards have been waived under subsection (p)(6)) but which provides benefits for prescription drugs.
Such term does not include a policy with a benefit package as classified under clause (i) which has been modified under paragraph (2)(C)(i).
(B) Part D enrollee
(C) Part D plan
(D) Initial part D enrollment period
(w) Development of new standards for medicare supplemental policies
(1) In general
(2) New benefit packagesThe benefit packages described in this paragraph are the following (notwithstanding any other provision of this section relating to a core benefit package):
(A) First new benefit packageA benefit package consisting of the following:
(i) Subject to clause (ii), coverage of 50 percent of the cost-sharing otherwise applicable under parts A and B, except there shall be no coverage of the part B deductible and coverage of 100 percent of any cost-sharing otherwise applicable for preventive benefits.
(ii) Coverage for all hospital inpatient coinsurance and 365 extra lifetime days of coverage of inpatient hospital services (as in the current core benefit package).
(iii) A limitation on annual out-of-pocket expenditures under parts A and B to $4,000 in 2006 (or, in a subsequent year, to such limitation for the previous year increased by an appropriate inflation adjustment specified by the Secretary).
(B) Second new benefit packageA benefit package consisting of the benefit package described in subparagraph (A), except as follows:
(i) Substitute “75 percent” for “50 percent” in clause (i) of such subparagraph.
(ii) Substitute “$2,000” for “$4,000” in clause (iii) of such subparagraph.
(x) Limitations on genetic testing and information
(1) Genetic testing
(A) Limitation on requesting or requiring genetic testing
(B) Rule of construction
(C) Rule of construction regarding payment
(i) In general
(ii) Limitation
(D) Research exceptionNotwithstanding subparagraph (A), an issuer of a medicare supplemental policy may request, but not require, that an individual or a family member of such individual undergo a genetic test if each of the following conditions is met:
(i) The request is made pursuant to research that complies with part 46 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, or equivalent Federal regulations, and any applicable State or local law or regulations for the protection of human subjects in research.
(ii) The issuer clearly indicates to each individual, or in the case of a minor child, to the legal guardian of such child, to whom the request is made that—(I) compliance with the request is voluntary; and(II) non-compliance will have no effect on enrollment status or premium or contribution amounts.
(iii) No genetic information collected or acquired under this subparagraph shall be used for underwriting, determination of eligibility to enroll or maintain enrollment status, premium rating, or the creation, renewal, or replacement of a plan, contract, or coverage for health insurance or health benefits.
(iv) The issuer notifies the Secretary in writing that the issuer is conducting activities pursuant to the exception provided for under this subparagraph, including a description of the activities conducted.
(v) The issuer complies with such other conditions as the Secretary may by regulation require for activities conducted under this subparagraph.
(2) Prohibition on collection of genetic information
(A) In general
(B) Prohibition on collection of genetic information prior to enrollment
(C) Incidental collection
(3) DefinitionsIn this subsection:
(A) Family member
(B) Genetic information
(i) In generalThe term “genetic information” means, with respect to any individual, information about—(I) such individual’s genetic tests,(II) the genetic tests of family members of such individual, and(III) subject to clause (iv), the manifestation of a disease or disorder in family members of such individual.
(ii) Inclusion of genetic services and participation in genetic research
(iii) Exclusions
(C) Genetic test
(i) In general
(ii) ExceptionsThe term “genetic test” does not mean—(I) an analysis of proteins or metabolites that does not detect genotypes, mutations, or chromosomal changes; or(II) an analysis of proteins or metabolites that is directly related to a manifested disease, disorder, or pathological condition that could reasonably be detected by a health care professional with appropriate training and expertise in the field of medicine involved.
(D) Genetic servicesThe term “genetic services” means—
(i) a genetic test;
(ii) genetic counseling (including obtaining, interpreting, or assessing genetic information); or
(iii) genetic education.
(E) Underwriting purposesThe term “underwriting purposes” means, with respect to a medicare supplemental policy—
(i) rules for, or determination of, eligibility (including enrollment and continued eligibility) for benefits under the policy;
(ii) the computation of premium or contribution amounts under the policy;
(iii) the application of any pre-existing condition exclusion under the policy; and
(iv) other activities related to the creation, renewal, or replacement of a contract of health insurance or health benefits.
(F) Issuer of a medicare supplemental policy
(4) Genetic information of a fetus or embryoAny reference in this section to genetic information concerning an individual or family member of an individual shall—
(A) with respect to such an individual or family member of an individual who is a pregnant woman, include genetic information of any fetus carried by such pregnant woman; and
(B) with respect to an individual or family member utilizing an assisted reproductive technology, include genetic information of any embryo legally held by the individual or family member.
(y) Development of new standards for certain medicare supplemental policies
(1) In general
(2) Benefit packages described
(z) Limitation on certain medigap policies for newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries
(1) In general
(2) Newly eligible Medicare beneficiary definedIn this subsection, the term “newly eligible Medicare beneficiary” means an individual who is neither of the following:
(A) An individual who has attained age 65 before January 1, 2020.
(B) An individual who was entitled to benefits under part A pursuant to section 426(span) or 426–1 of this title, or deemed to be eligible for benefits under section 426(a) of this title, before January 1, 2020.
(3) Treatment of waivered States
(4) Treatment of references to certain policies
(5) Enforcement
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1882, as added Puspan. L. 96–265, title V, § 507(a), June 9, 1980, 94 Stat. 476; amended H. Res. 549, Mar. 25, 1980; Puspan. L. 100–93, § 13, Aug. 18, 1987, 101 Stat. 697; Puspan. L. 100–203, title IV, § 4081(span), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–127; Puspan. L. 100–360, title II, § 221(a)–(f), title IV, §§ 411(i)(1)(B), (C), 428(span), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 742–746, 788, 817; Puspan. L. 101–234, title II, § 203(a)(1), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1982; Puspan. L. 101–508, title IV, §§ 4207(k)(1), formerly 4027(k)(1), 4351, formerly 4351(a), 4352, 4353(a)–(d)(1), 4354(a), (span), 4355(a)–(c), 4356(a), 4357(a), 4358(a), (span)(1), (2), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–124, 1388–125, 1388–129, 1388–130, 1388–132, 1388–134 to 1388–137; Puspan. L. 103–432, title I, §§ 160(d)(4), 171(a)–(d)(3)(B), (4), (e)(1), (2), (f)(1), (g), (h)(1), (j)(2), (k), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4444–4451; Puspan. L. 104–191, title II, § 271(a), (span), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 2034–2036; Puspan. L. 105–33, title IV, §§ 4002(j)(2), 4003, 4031(a)–(c), 4032(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 330, 355, 357, 359; Puspan. L. 105–362, title VI, § 601(span)(6), Nov. 10, 1998, 112 Stat. 3286; Puspan. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(6) [title III, § 321(k)(13), (14), title V, §§ 501(a)(2), 536(a)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–368, 1501A–378, 1501A–390; Puspan. L. 106–170, title II, § 205(a), Dec. 17, 1999, 113 Stat. 1899; Puspan. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title VI, § 618], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–562; Puspan. L. 108–173, title I, § 104(a), (span), title VII, § 736(e), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2161, 2164, 2357; Puspan. L. 110–161, div. H, title I, § 1502(f), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2250; Puspan. L. 110–233, title I, § 104(a), (span), May 21, 2008, 122 Stat. 899, 900; Puspan. L. 110–275, title I, § 104(span), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2502; Puspan. L. 111–148, title III, § 3210, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 460; Puspan. L. 114–10, title IV, § 401, Apr. 16, 2015, 129 Stat. 159.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395ss

§ 1395ss–1. Clarification

Any health insurance policy that provides reimbursement for expenses incurred for items and services for which payment may be made under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.] but which are not reimbursable by reason of the applicability of deductibles, coinsurance, copayments or other limitations imposed by a Medicare Advantage plan (including a Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service plan) under part C of such title [42 U.S.C. 1395w–21 et seq.] shall comply with the requirements of section 1882(o) of the such 1

1 So in original.
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ss(o)).

(Pub. L. 110–275, title I, § 104(c), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2502.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395ss-1

§ 1395tt. Hospital providers of extended care services
(a) Hospital facility agreements; reasonable costs of services
(1) Any hospital which has an agreement under section 1395cc of this title may (subject to subsection (b)) enter into an agreement with the Secretary under which its inpatient hospital facilities may be used for the furnishing of services of the type which, if furnished by a skilled nursing facility, would constitute extended care services.
(2)
(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, payment to any hospital (other than a critical access hospital) for services furnished under an agreement entered into under this section shall be based upon the reasonable cost of the services as determined under subparagraph (B).
(B)
(i) The reasonable cost of the services consists of the reasonable cost of routine services (determined under clause (ii)) and the reasonable cost of ancillary services (determined under clause (iii)).
(ii) The reasonable cost of routine services furnished during any calendar year by a hospital under an agreement under this section is equal to the product of—(I) the number of patient-days during the year for which the services were furnished, and(II) the average reasonable cost per patient-day, such average reasonable cost per patient-day being the average rate per patient-day paid for routine services during the most recent year for which cost reporting data are available with respect to such services (increased in a compounded manner by the applicable increase for payments for routine service costs of skilled nursing facilities under subsections (a) through (d) of section 1395yy of this title for subsequent cost reporting periods and up to and including such calendar year) under this subchapter to freestanding skilled nursing facilities in the region (as defined in section 1395ww(d)(2)(D) of this title) in which the facility is located.
(iii) The reasonable cost of ancillary services shall be determined in the same manner as the reasonable cost of ancillary services provided for inpatient hospital services.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, a critical access hospital shall be paid for covered skilled nursing facility services furnished under an agreement entered into under this section on the basis of equal to 101 percent of the reasonable costs of such services (as determined under section 1395x(v) of this title).
(b) Eligible facilities
(c) Terms and conditions of facility agreements
(d) Post-hospital extended care services
(e) Reimbursement for routine hospital services
(f) Conditions applicable to skilled nursing facilities
(g) Agreements on demonstration basis
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1883, as added Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, § 904(a)(1), Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2615; amended Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §§ 4005(b)(1), (2), 4201(d)(3), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–48, as amended Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, § 411(l)(1)(C), July 1, 1988, as added Pub. L. 100–485, title VI, § 608(d)(27)(B), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2422; Pub. L. 100–360, title I, § 104(d)(6), title IV, § 411(b)(4)(D), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 689, 770; Pub. L. 101–234, title I, § 101(a), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1979; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, § 4008(j)(1), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–51; Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4432(b)(5)(G), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 422; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(6) [title IV, §§ 403(f), 408(a), (b)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–371, 1501A–375; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title II, § 203(b)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–482; Pub. L. 108–173, title IV, § 405(a)(1), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2266.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395tt

§ 1395uu. Payments to promote closing or conversion of underutilized hospital facilities
(a) Transitional allowances; procedures applicable
(b) Allowable costs as transitional allowances; findings and determinationsIf the Secretary finds, after consideration of an application under subsection (a), that—
(1) the hospital’s closure or conversion—
(A) is formally initiated after September 30, 1981,
(B) is expected to benefit the program under this subchapter by (i) eliminating excess bed capacity, (ii) discontinuing an underutilized service for which there are adequate alternative sources, or (iii) substituting for the underutilized service some other service which is needed in the area, and
(C) is consistent with the findings of an appropriate health planning agency and with any applicable State program for reduction in the number of hospital beds in the State, and
(2) in the case of a complete closure of a hospital—
(A) the hospital is a private nonprofit hospital or a local governmental hospital, and
(B) the closure is not for replacement of the hospital,
the Secretary may include as an allowable cost in the hospital’s reasonable cost (for the purpose of making payments to the hospital under this subchapter) an amount (in this section referred to as a “transitional allowance”), as provided in subsection (c).
(c) Factors determinative of transitional allowance
(1) Each transitional allowance established shall be reasonably related to the prior or pro­spective use of the facility involved under this subchapter and shall recognize—
(A) in the case of a facility conversion or closure (other than a complete closure of a hospital)—
(i) in the case of a private nonprofit or local governmental hospital, that portion of the hospital’s costs attributable to capital assets of the facility which have been taken into account in determining reasonable cost for purposes of determining the amount of payment to the hospital under this subchapter, and
(ii) in the case of any hospital, transitional operating cost increases related to the conversion or closure to the extent that such operating costs exceed amounts ordinarily reimbursable under this subchapter; and
(B) in the case of complete closure of a hospital, the outstanding portion of actual debt obligations previously recognized as reasonable for purposes of reimbursement under this subchapter, less any salvage value of the hospital.
(2) A transitional allowance shall be for a period (not to exceed 20 years) specified by the Secretary, except that, in the case of a complete closure described in paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary may provide for a lump-sum allowance where the Secretary determines that such a one-time allowance is more efficient and economical.
(3) A transitional allowance shall take effect on a date established by the Secretary, but not earlier than the date of completion of the closure or conversion concerned.
(4) A transitional allowance shall not be considered in applying the limits to costs recognized as reasonable pursuant to the third sentence of subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (L)(i) of section 1395x(v)(1) of this title, or in determining whether the reasonable cost exceeds the customary charges for a service for purposes of determining the amount to be paid to a provider pursuant to sections 1395f(b) and 1395l(a)(2) of this title.
(d) Hearing to review determination
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1884, as added Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, § 2101(a)[(1)], Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 785; amended Pub. L. 97–248, title I, § 128(a)(6), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 366.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395uu

§ 1395vv. Withholding payments from certain medicaid providers
(a) Adjustments by Secretary
The Secretary may adjust, in accordance with this section, payments under parts A and B to any institution which has in effect an agreement with the Secretary under section 1395cc of this title, and any person who has accepted payment on the basis of an assignment under section 1395u(b)(3)(B)(ii) of this title, where such institution or person—
(1) has (or previously had) in effect an agreement with a State agency to furnish medical care and services under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX, and
(2) from which (or from whom) such State agency (A) has been unable to recover overpayments made under the State plan, or (B) has been unable to collect the information necessary to enable it to determine the amount (if any) of the overpayments made to such institution or person under the State plan.
(b) Implementing regulations; notice, opportunity to be heard, etc.
The Secretary shall by regulation provide procedures for implementation of this section, which procedures shall—
(1) assure that the authority under this section is exercised only on behalf of a State agency which demonstrates to the Secretary’s satisfaction that it has provided adequate notice of a determination or of a need for information, and an opportunity to appeal such determination or to provide such information,
(2) determine the amount of the payment to which the institution or person would otherwise be entitled under this subchapter which shall be treated as a setoff against overpayments under subchapter XIX, and
(3) assure the restoration to the institution or person of amounts withheld under this section which are ultimately determined to be in excess of overpayments under subchapter XIX and to which the institution or person would otherwise be entitled under this subchapter.
(c) Payment to States of amounts recovered
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1885, as added Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, § 2104, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 788.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395vv

§ 1395ww. Payments to hospitals for inpatient hospital services
(a) Determination of costs for inpatient hospital services; limitations; exemptions; “operating costs of inpatient hospital services” defined
(1)
(A)
(i) The Secretary, in determining the amount of the payments that may be made under this subchapter with respect to operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in paragraph (4)) shall not recognize as reasonable (in the efficient delivery of health services) costs for the provision of such services by a hospital for a cost reporting period to the extent such costs exceed the applicable percentage (as determined under clause (ii)) of the average of such costs for all hospitals in the same grouping as such hospital for comparable time periods.
(ii) For purposes of clause (i), the applicable percentage for hospital cost reporting periods beginning—(I) on or after October 1, 1982, and before October 1, 1983, is 120 percent;(II) on or after October 1, 1983, and before October 1, 1984, is 115 percent; and(III) on or after October 1, 1984, is 110 percent.
(B)
(i) For purposes of subparagraph (A) the Secretary shall establish case mix indexes for all short-term hospitals, and shall set limits for each hospital based upon the general mix of types of medical cases with respect to which such hospital provides services for which payment may be made under this subchapter.
(ii) The Secretary shall set such limits for a cost reporting period of a hospital—(I) by updating available data for a previous period to the immediate preceding cost reporting period by the estimated average rate of change of hospital costs industry-wide, and(II) by projecting for the cost reporting period by the applicable percentage increase (as defined in subsection (b)(3)(B)).
(C) The limitation established under subparagraph (A) for any hospital shall in no event be lower than the allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in paragraph (4)) recognized under this subchapter for such hospital for such hospital’s last cost reporting period prior to the hospital’s first cost reporting period for which this section is in effect.
(D) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1983.
(2) The Secretary shall provide for such exemptions from, and exceptions and adjustments to, the limitation established under paragraph (1)(A) as he deems appropriate, including those which he deems necessary to take into account—
(A) the special needs of sole community hospitals, of new hospitals, of risk based health maintenance organizations, and of hospitals which provide atypical services or essential community services, and to take into account extraordinary circumstances beyond the hospital’s control, medical and paramedical education costs, significantly fluctuating population in the service area of the hospital, and unusual labor costs,
(B) the special needs of psychiatric hospitals and of public or other hospitals that serve a significantly disproportionate number of patients who have low income or are entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter, and
(C) a decrease in the inpatient hospital services that a hospital provides and that are customarily provided directly by similar hospitals which results in a significant distortion in the operating costs of inpatient hospital services.
(3) The limitation established under paragraph (1)(A) shall not apply with respect to any hospital which—
(A) is located outside of a standard metropolitan statistical area, and
(B)
(i) has less than 50 beds, and
(ii) was in operation and had less than 50 beds on September 3, 1982.
(4) For purposes of this section, the term “operating costs of inpatient hospital services” includes all routine operating costs, ancillary service operating costs, and special care unit operating costs with respect to inpatient hospital services as such costs are determined on an average per admission or per discharge basis (as determined by the Secretary), and includes the costs of all services for which payment may be made under this subchapter that are provided by the hospital (or by an entity wholly owned or operated by the hospital) to the patient during the 3 days (or, in the case of a hospital that is not a subsection (d) hospital, during the 1 day) immediately preceding the date of the patient’s admission if such services are diagnostic services (including clinical diagnostic laboratory tests) or are other services related to the admission (as defined by the Secretary). Such term does not include costs of approved educational activities, a return on equity capital, other capital-related costs (as defined by the Secretary for periods before October 1, 1987), for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2020, costs related to hematopoietic stem cell acquisition for the purpose of an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (as described in subsection (d)(5)(M)), or costs with respect to administering blood clotting factors to individuals with hemophilia. In applying the first sentence of this paragraph, the term “other services related to the admission” includes all services that are not diagnostic services (other than ambulance and maintenance renal dialysis services) for which payment may be made under this subchapter that are provided by a hospital (or an entity wholly owned or operated by the hospital) to a patient—
(A) on the date of the patient’s inpatient admission; or
(B) during the 3 days (or, in the case of a hospital that is not a subsection (d) hospital, during the 1 day) immediately preceding the date of such admission unless the hospital demonstrates (in a form and manner, and at a time, specified by the Secretary) that such services are not related (as determined by the Secretary) to such admission.
(b) Computation of payment; definitions; exemptions; adjustments
(1) Notwithstanding section 1395f(b) of this title but subject to the provisions of section 1395e of this title, if the operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in subsection (a)(4)) of a hospital (other than a subsection (d) hospital, as defined in subsection (d)(1)(B) and other than a rehabilitation facility described in subsection (j)(1)) for a cost reporting period subject to this paragraph—
(A) are less than or equal to the target amount (as defined in paragraph (3)) for that hospital for that period, the amount of the payment with respect to such operating costs payable under part A on a per discharge or per admission basis (as the case may be) shall be equal to the amount of such operating costs, plus—
(i) 15 percent of the amount by which the target amount exceeds the amount of the operating costs, or
(ii) 2 percent of the target amount,
whichever is less;
(B) are greater than the target amount but do not exceed 110 percent of the target amount, the amount of the payment with respect to those operating costs payable under part A on a per discharge basis shall equal the target amount; or
(C) are greater than 110 percent of the target amount, the amount of the payment with respect to such operating costs payable under part A on a per discharge or per admission basis (as the case may be) shall be equal to (i) the target amount, plus (ii) in the case of cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1991, an additional amount equal to 50 percent of the amount by which the operating costs exceed 110 percent of the target amount (except that such additional amount may not exceed 10 percent of the target amount) after any exceptions or adjustments are made to such target amount for the cost reporting period;
plus the amount, if any, provided under paragraph (2), except that in no case may the amount payable under this subchapter (other than on the basis of a DRG prospective payment rate determined under subsection (d)) with respect to operating costs of inpatient hospital services exceed the maximum amount payable with respect to such costs pursuant to subsection (a).
(2)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (E), in addition to the payment computed under paragraph (1), in the case of an eligible hospital (described in subparagraph (B)) for a cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 1997, the amount of payment on a per discharge basis under paragraph (1) shall be increased by the lesser of—
(i) 50 percent of the amount by which the operating costs are less than the expected costs (as defined in subparagraph (D)) for the period; or
(ii) 1 percent of the target amount for the period.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, an “eligible hospital” means with respect to a cost reporting period, a hospital—
(i) that has received payments under this subsection for at least 3 full cost reporting periods before that cost reporting period, and
(ii) whose operating costs for the period are less than the least of its target amount, its trended costs (as defined in subparagraph (C)), or its expected costs (as defined in subparagraph (D)) for the period.
(C) For purposes of subparagraph (B)(ii), the term “trended costs” means for a hospital cost reporting period ending in a fiscal year—
(i) in the case of a hospital for which its cost reporting period ending in fiscal year 1996 was its third or subsequent full cost reporting period for which it receives payments under this subsection, the lesser of the operating costs or target amount for that hospital for its cost reporting period ending in fiscal year 1996, or
(ii) in the case of any other hospital, the operating costs for that hospital for its third full cost reporting period for which it receives payments under this subsection,
increased (in a compounded manner) for each succeeding fiscal year (through the fiscal year involved) by the market basket percentage increase for the fiscal year.
(D) For purposes of this paragraph, the term “expected costs”, with respect to the cost reporting period ending in a fiscal year, means the lesser of the operating costs of inpatient hospital services or target amount per discharge for the previous cost reporting period updated by the market basket percentage increase (as defined in paragraph (3)(B)(iii)) for the fiscal year.
(E)
(i) In the case of an eligible hospital that is a hospital or unit that is within a class of hospital described in clause (ii) with a 12-month cost reporting period beginning before November 29, 1999, in determining the amount of the increase under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall substitute for the percentage of the target amount applicable under subparagraph (A)(ii)—(I) for a cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 2000, and before September 30, 2001, 1.5 percent; and(II) for a cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 2001, and before September 30, 2002, 2 percent.
(ii) For purposes of clause (i), each of the following shall be treated as a separate class of hospital:(I) Hospitals described in clause (i) of subsection (d)(1)(B) and psychiatric units described in the matter following clause (v) of such subsection.(II) Hospitals described in clause (iv) of such subsection.
(3)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (C) and succeeding subparagraphs, and in paragraph (7)(A)(ii), for purposes of this subsection, the term “target amount” means, with respect to a hospital for a particular 12-month cost reporting period—
(i) in the case of the first such reporting period for which this subsection is in effect, the allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in subsection (a)(4)) recognized under this subchapter for such hospital for the preceding 12-month cost reporting period, and
(ii) in the case of a later reporting period, the target amount for the preceding 12-month cost reporting period,
increased by the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (B) for that particular cost reporting period.
(B)
(i) For purposes of subsection (d) and subsection (j) for discharges occurring during a fiscal year, the “applicable percentage increase” shall be—(I) for fiscal year 1986, ½ percent,(II) for fiscal year 1987, 1.15 percent,(III) for fiscal year 1988, 3.0 percent for hospitals located in a rural area, 1.5 percent for hospitals located in a large urban area (as defined in subsection (d)(2)(D)), and 1.0 percent for hospitals located in other urban areas,(IV) for fiscal year 1989, the market basket percentage increase minus 1.5 percentage points for hospitals located in a rural area, the market basket percentage increase minus 2.0 percentage points for hospitals located in a large urban area, and the market basket percentage increase minus 2.5 percentage points for hospitals located in other urban areas,(V) for fiscal year 1990, the market basket percentage increase plus 4.22 percentage points for hospitals located in a rural area, the market basket percentage increase plus 0.12 percentage points for hospitals located in a large urban area, and the market basket percentage increase minus 0.53 percentage points for hospitals located in other urban areas,(VI) for fiscal year 1991, the market basket percentage increase minus 2.0 percentage points for hospitals in a large urban or other urban area, and the market basket percentage increase minus 0.7 percentage point for hospitals located in a rural area,(VII) for fiscal year 1992, the market basket percentage increase minus 1.6 percentage points for hospitals in a large urban or other urban area, and the market basket percentage increase minus 0.6 percentage point for hospitals located in a rural area,(VIII) for fiscal year 1993, the market basket percentage increase minus 1.55 percentage point for hospitals in a large urban or other urban area, and the market basket percentage increase minus 0.55 1
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by “percentage point”.
for hospitals located in a rural area,(IX) for fiscal year 1994, the market basket percentage increase minus 2.5 percentage points for hospitals located in a large urban or other urban area, and the market basket percentage increase minus 1.0 percentage point for hospitals located in a rural area,(X) for fiscal year 1995, the market basket percentage increase minus 2.5 percentage points for hospitals located in a large urban or other urban area, and such percentage increase for hospitals located in a rural area as will provide for the average standardized amount determined under subsection (d)(3)(A) for hospitals located in a rural area being equal to such average standardized amount for hospitals located in an urban area (other than a large urban area),(XI) for fiscal year 1996, the market basket percentage increase minus 2.0 percentage points for hospitals in all areas,(XII) for fiscal year 1997, the market basket percentage increase minus 0.5 percentage point for hospitals in all areas,(XIII) for fiscal year 1998, 0 percent,(XIV) for fiscal year 1999, the market basket percentage increase minus 1.9 percentage points for hospitals in all areas,(XV) for fiscal year 2000, the market basket percentage increase minus 1.8 percentage points for hospitals in all areas,(XVI) for fiscal year 2001, the market basket percentage increase for hospitals in all areas,(XVII) for fiscal year 2002, the market basket percentage increase minus 0.55 percentage points for hospitals in all areas,(XVIII) for fiscal year 2003, the market basket percentage increase minus 0.55 percentage points for hospitals in all areas,(XIX) for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2006, subject to clause (vii), the market basket percentage increase for hospitals in all areas; 2
2 So in original. The semicolon probably should be a comma.
and(XX) for each subsequent fiscal year, subject to clauses (viii), (ix), (xi), and (xii), the market basket percentage increase for hospitals in all areas.
(ii) For purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (E), the “applicable percentage increase” for 12-month cost reporting periods beginning during—(I) fiscal year 1986, is 0.5 percent,(II) fiscal year 1987, is 1.15 percent,(III) fiscal year 1988, is the market basket percentage increase minus 2.0 percentage points,(IV) a subsequent fiscal year ending on or before September 30, 1993, is the market basket percentage increase,(V) fiscal years 1994 through 1997, is the market basket percentage increase minus the applicable reduction (as defined in clause (v)(II)), or in the case of a hospital for a fiscal year for which the hospital’s update adjustment percentage (as defined in clause (v)(I)) is at least 10 percent, the market basket percentage increase,(VI) for fiscal year 1998, is 0 percent,(VII) for fiscal years 1999 through 2002, is the applicable update factor specified under clause (vi) for the fiscal year, and(VIII) subsequent fiscal years is the market basket percentage increase.
(iii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “market basket percentage increase” means, with respect to cost reporting periods and discharges occurring in a fiscal year, the percentage, estimated by the Secretary before the beginning of the period or fiscal year, by which the cost of the mix of goods and services (including personnel costs but excluding nonoperating costs) comprising routine, ancillary, and special care unit inpatient hospital services, based on an index of appropriately weighted indicators of changes in wages and prices which are representative of the mix of goods and services included in such inpatient hospital services, for the period or fiscal year will exceed the cost of such mix of goods and services for the preceding 12-month cost reporting period or fiscal year.
(iv) For purposes of subparagraphs (C) and (D), the “applicable percentage increase” is—(I) for 12-month cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal years 1986 through 1993, the applicable percentage increase specified in clause (ii),(II) for fiscal year 1994, the market basket percentage increase minus 2.3 percentage points (adjusted to exclude any portion of a cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1993 for which the applicable percentage increase is determined under subparagraph (I)),(III) for fiscal year 1995, the market basket percentage increase minus 2.2 percentage points, and(IV) for fiscal year 1996 and each subsequent fiscal year, the applicable percentage increase under clause (i).
(v) For purposes of clause (ii)(V)—(I) a hospital’s “update adjustment percentage” for a fiscal year is the percentage by which the hospital’s allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services recognized under this subchapter for the cost reporting period beginning in fiscal year 1990 exceeds the hospital’s target amount (as determined under subparagraph (A)) for such cost reporting period, increased for each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1994) by the sum of any of the hospital’s applicable reductions under subclause (V) for previous fiscal years; and(II) the “applicable reduction” with respect to a hospital for a fiscal year is the lesser of 1 percentage point or the percentage point difference between 10 percent and the hospital’s update adjustment percentage for the fiscal year.
(vi) For purposes of clause (ii)(VII) for a fiscal year, if a hospital’s allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services recognized under this subchapter for the most recent cost reporting period for which information is available—(I) is equal to, or exceeds, 110 percent of the hospital’s target amount (as determined under subparagraph (A)) for such cost reporting period, the applicable update factor specified under this clause is the market basket percentage;(II) exceeds 100 percent, but is less than 110 percent, of such target amount for the hospital, the applicable update factor specified under this clause is 0 percent or, if greater, the market basket percentage minus 0.25 percentage points for each percentage point by which such allowable operating costs (expressed as a percentage of such target amount) is less than 110 percent of such target amount;(III) is equal to, or less than 100 percent, but exceeds ⅔ of such target amount for the hospital, the applicable update factor specified under this clause is 0 percent or, if greater, the market basket percentage minus 2.5 percentage points; or(IV) does not exceed ⅔ of such target amount for the hospital, the applicable update factor specified under this clause is 0 percent.
(vii)(I) For purposes of clause (i)(XIX) for fiscal years 2005 and 2006, in a case of a subsection (d) hospital that does not submit data to the Secretary in accordance with subclause (II) with respect to such a fiscal year, the applicable percentage increase under such clause for such fiscal year shall be reduced by 0.4 percentage points. Such reduction shall apply only with respect to the fiscal year involved, and the Secretary shall not take into account such reduction in computing the applicable percentage increase under clause (i)(XIX) for a subsequent fiscal year.(II) For fiscal years 2005 and 2006, each subsection (d) hospital shall submit to the Secretary quality data (for a set of 10 indicators established by the Secretary as of November 1, 2003) that relate to the quality of care furnished by the hospital in inpatient settings in a form and manner, and at a time, specified by the Secretary for purposes of this clause, but with respect to fiscal year 2005, the Secretary shall provide for a 30-day grace period for the submission of data by a hospital.
(viii)(I) For purposes of clause (i) for fiscal year 2007 and each subsequent fiscal year, in the case of a subsection (d) hospital that does not submit, to the Secretary in accordance with this clause, data required to be submitted on measures selected under this clause with respect to such a fiscal year, the applicable percentage increase under clause (i) for such fiscal year shall be reduced by 2.0 percentage points (or, beginning with fiscal year 2015, by one-quarter of such applicable percentage increase (determined without regard to clause (ix), (xi), or (xii))). Such reduction shall apply only with respect to the fiscal year involved and the Secretary shall not take into account such reduction in computing the applicable percentage increase under clause (i) for a subsequent fiscal year, and the Secretary and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission shall carry out the requirements under section 5001(b) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.(II) Each subsection (d) hospital shall submit data on measures selected under this clause to the Secretary in a form and manner, and at a time, specified by the Secretary for purposes of this clause. The Secretary may require hospitals to submit data on measures that are not used for the determination of value-based incentive payments under subsection (o).(III) The Secretary shall expand, beyond the measures specified under clause (vii)(II) and consistent with the succeeding subclauses, the set of measures that the Secretary determines to be appropriate for the measurement of the quality of care (including medication errors) furnished by hospitals in inpatient settings.(IV) Effective for payments beginning with fiscal year 2007, in expanding the number of measures under subclause (III), the Secretary shall begin to adopt the baseline set of performance measures as set forth in the November 2005 report by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences under section 238(b) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.(V) Effective for payments for fiscal years 2008 through 2012, the Secretary shall add other measures that reflect consensus among affected parties and, to the extent feasible and practicable, shall include measures set forth by one or more national consensus building entities.(VI) For purposes of this clause and clause (vii), the Secretary may replace any measures or indicators in appropriate cases, such as where all hospitals are effectively in compliance or the measures or indicators have been subsequently shown not to represent the best clinical practice.(VII) The Secretary shall establish procedures for making information regarding measures submitted under this clause available to the public. Such procedures shall ensure that a hospital has the opportunity to review the data that are to be made public with respect to the hospital prior to such data being made public. The Secretary shall report quality measures of process, structure, outcome, patients’ perspectives on care, efficiency, and costs of care that relate to services furnished in inpatient settings in hospitals on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.(VIII) Effective for payments beginning with fiscal year 2013, with respect to quality measures for outcomes of care, the Secretary shall provide for such risk adjustment as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to maintain incentives for hospitals to treat patients with severe illnesses or conditions.(IX)(aa) Subject to item (bb), effective for payments beginning with fiscal year 2013, each measure specified by the Secretary under this clause shall be endorsed by the entity with a contract under section 1395aaa(a) of this title.(bb) In the case of a specified area or medical topic determined appropriate by the Secretary for which a feasible and practical measure has not been endorsed by the entity with a contract under section 1395aaa(a) of this title, the Secretary may specify a measure that is not so endorsed as long as due consideration is given to measures that have been endorsed or adopted by a consensus organization identified by the Secretary.(X) To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall, with input from consensus organizations and other stakeholders, take steps to ensure that the measures specified by the Secretary under this clause are coordinated and aligned with quality measures applicable to—(aa) physicians under section 1395w–4(k) of this title; and(bb) other providers of services and suppliers under this subchapter.(XI) The Secretary shall establish a process to validate measures specified under this clause as appropriate. Such process shall include the auditing of a number of randomly selected hospitals sufficient to ensure validity of the reporting program under this clause as a whole and shall provide a hospital with an opportunity to appeal the validation of measures reported by such hospital.(XII)(aa) With respect to a Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey (or a successor survey) conducted on or after January 1, 2020, such survey may not include questions about communication by hospital staff with an individual about such individual’s pain unless such questions take into account, as applicable, whether an individual experiencing pain was informed about risks associated with the use of opioids and about non-opioid alternatives for the treatment of pain.(bb) The Secretary shall not include on the Hospital Compare internet website any measures based on the questions appearing on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey in 2018 or 2019 about communication by hospital staff with an individual about such individual’s pain.
(ix)(I) For purposes of clause (i) for fiscal year 2015 and each subsequent fiscal year, in the case of an eligible hospital (as defined in subsection (n)(6)) that is not a meaningful EHR user (as defined in subsection (n)(3)) for an EHR reporting period for such fiscal year, three-quarters of the applicable percentage increase otherwise applicable under clause (i) (determined without regard to clause (viii), (xi), or (xii)) for such fiscal year shall be reduced by 33⅓ percent for fiscal year 2015, 66⅔ percent for fiscal year 2016, and 100 percent for fiscal year 2017 and each subsequent fiscal year. Such reduction shall apply only with respect to the fiscal year involved and the Secretary shall not take into account such reduction in computing the applicable percentage increase under clause (i) for a subsequent fiscal year.(II) The Secretary may, on a case-by-case basis (and, with respect to the application of subclause (I) for fiscal year 2017, for categories of subsection (d) hospitals, as established by the Secretary and posted on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services prior to December 15, 2015, an application for which must be submitted to the Secretary by not later than April 1, 2016), exempt an eligible hospital from the application of subclause (I) with respect to a fiscal year if the Secretary determines, subject to annual renewal, that requiring such hospital to be a meaningful EHR user during such fiscal year would result in a significant hardship, such as in the case of a hospital in a rural area without sufficient Internet access. The Secretary shall exempt an eligible hospital from the application of the payment adjustment under subclause (I) with respect to a fiscal year, subject to annual renewal, if the Secretary determines that compliance with the requirement for being a meaningful EHR user is not possible because the certified EHR technology used by such hospital is decertified under a program kept or recognized pursuant to section 300jj–11(c)(5) of this title. In no case may a hospital be granted an exemption under this subclause for more than 5 years.(III) For fiscal year 2015 and each subsequent fiscal year, a State in which hospitals are paid for services under section 1395f(b)(3) of this title shall adjust the payments to each subsection (d) hospital in the State that is not a meaningful EHR user (as defined in subsection (n)(3)) in a manner that is designed to result in an aggregate reduction in payments to hospitals in the State that is equivalent to the aggregate reduction that would have occurred if payments had been reduced to each subsection (d) hospital in the State in a manner comparable to the reduction under the previous provisions of this clause. The State shall report to the Secretary the methodology it will use to make the payment adjustment under the previous sentence.(IV) For purposes of this clause, the term “EHR reporting period” means, with respect to a fiscal year, any period (or periods) as specified by the Secretary.
(x)(I) The Secretary shall develop standard Internet website reports tailored to meet the needs of various stakeholders such as hospitals, patients, researchers, and policymakers. The Secretary shall seek input from such stakeholders in determining the type of information that is useful and the formats that best facilitate the use of the information.(II) The Secretary shall modify the Hospital Compare Internet website to make the use and navigation of that website readily available to individuals accessing it.
(xi)(I) For 2012 and each subsequent fiscal year, after determining the applicable percentage increase described in clause (i) and after application of clauses (viii) and (ix), such percentage increase shall be reduced by the productivity adjustment described in subclause (II).(II) The productivity adjustment described in this subclause, with respect to a percentage, factor, or update for a fiscal year, year, cost reporting period, or other annual period, is a productivity adjustment equal to the 10-year moving average of changes in annual economy-wide private nonfarm business multi-factor productivity (as projected by the Secretary for the 10-year period ending with the applicable fiscal year, year, cost reporting period, or other annual period).(III) The application of subclause (I) may result in the applicable percentage increase described in clause (i) being less than 0.0 for a fiscal year, and may result in payment rates under this section for a fiscal year being less than such payment rates for the preceding fiscal year.
(xii) After determining the applicable percentage increase described in clause (i), and after application of clauses (viii), (ix), and (xi), the Secretary shall reduce such applicable percentage increase—(I) for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011, by 0.25 percentage point;(II) for each of fiscal years 2012 and 2013, by 0.1 percentage point;(III) for fiscal year 2014, by 0.3 percentage point;(IV) for each of fiscal years 2015 and 2016, by 0.2 percentage point; and(V) for each of fiscal years 2017, 2018, and 2019, by 0.75 percentage point.
The application of this clause may result in the applicable percentage increase described in clause (i) being less than 0.0 for a fiscal year, and may result in payment rates under this section for a fiscal year being less than such payment rates for the preceding fiscal year.
(C) In the case of a hospital that is a sole community hospital (as defined in subsection (d)(5)(D)(iii)), subject to subparagraphs (I) and (L), the term “target amount” means—
(i) with respect to the first 12-month cost reporting period in which this subparagraph is applied to the hospital—(I) the allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in subsection (a)(4)) recognized under this subchapter for the hospital for the 12-month cost reporting period (in this subparagraph referred to as the “base cost reporting period”) preceding the first cost reporting period for which this subsection was in effect with respect to such hospital, increased (in a compounded manner) by—(II) the applicable percentage increases applied to such hospital under this paragraph for cost reporting periods after the base cost reporting period and up to and including such first 12-month cost reporting period,
(ii) with respect to a later cost reporting period beginning before fiscal year 1994, the target amount for the preceding 12-month cost reporting period, increased by the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (B)(iv) for discharges occurring in the fiscal year in which that later cost reporting period begins,
(iii) with respect to discharges occurring in fiscal year 1994, the target amount for the cost reporting period beginning in fiscal year 1993 increased by the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (B)(iv), or
(iv) with respect to discharges occurring in fiscal year 1995 and each subsequent fiscal year, the target amount for the preceding year increased by the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (B)(iv).
There shall be substituted for the base cost reporting period described in clause (i) a hospital’s cost reporting period (if any) beginning during fiscal year 1987 if such substitution results in an increase in the target amount for the hospital.
(D) For cost reporting periods ending on or before September 30, 1994
(i) with respect to the first 12-month cost reporting period in which this subparagraph is applied to the hospital—(I) the allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in subsection (a)(4)) recognized under this subchapter for the hospital for the 12-month cost reporting period (in this subparagraph referred to as the “base cost reporting period”) preceding the first cost reporting period for which this subsection was in effect with respect to such hospital, increased (in a compounded manner) by—(II) the applicable percentage increases applied to such hospital under this paragraph for cost reporting periods after the base cost reporting period and up to and including such first 12-month cost reporting period, or
(ii) with respect to a later cost reporting period beginning before fiscal year 1994, the target amount for the preceding 12-month cost reporting period, increased by the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (B)(iv) for discharges occurring in the fiscal year in which that later cost reporting period begins,
(iii) with respect to discharges occurring in fiscal year 1994, the target amount for the cost reporting period beginning in fiscal year 1993 increased by the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (B)(iv), and
(iv) with respect to discharges occurring during fiscal year 1998 through fiscal year 2026 and the portion of fiscal year 2027 beginning on October 1, 2026, and ending on December 31, 2026, the target amount for the preceding year increased by the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (B)(iv).
There shall be substituted for the base cost reporting period described in clause (i) a hospital’s cost reporting period (if any) beginning during fiscal year 1987 if such substitution results in an increase in the target amount for the hospital.
(E) In the case of a hospital described in clause (v) of subsection (d)(1)(B), the term “target amount” means—
(i) with respect to the first 12-month cost reporting period in which this subparagraph is applied to the hospital—(I) the allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in subsection (a)(4)) recognized under this subchapter for the hospital for the 12-month cost reporting period (in this subparagraph referred to as the “base cost reporting period”) preceding the first cost reporting period for which this subsection was in effect with respect to such hospital, increased (in a compounded manner) by—(II) the sum of the applicable percentage increases applied to such hospital under this paragraph for cost reporting periods after the base cost reporting period and up to and including such first 12-month cost reporting period, or
(ii) with respect to a later cost reporting period, the target amount for the preceding 12-month cost reporting period, increased by the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (B)(ii) for that later cost reporting period.
There shall be substituted for the base cost reporting period described in clause (i) a hospital’s cost reporting period (if any) beginning during fiscal year 1987 if such substitution results in an increase in the target amount for the hospital.
(F)
(i) In the case of a hospital (or unit described in the matter following clause (v) of subsection (d)(1)(B)) that received payment under this subsection for inpatient hospital services furnished during cost reporting periods beginning before October 1, 1990, that is within a class of hospital described in clause (iii), and that elects (in a form and manner determined by the Secretary) this subparagraph to apply to the hospital, the target amount for the hospital’s 12-month cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1998 is equal to the average described in clause (ii).
(ii) The average described in this clause for a hospital or unit shall be determined by the Secretary as follows:(I) The Secretary shall determine the allowable operating costs for inpatient hospital services for the hospital or unit for each of the 5 cost reporting periods for which the Secretary has the most recent settled cost reports as of August 5, 1997.(II) The Secretary shall increase the amount determined under subclause (I) for each cost reporting period by the applicable percentage increase under subparagraph (B)(ii) for each subsequent cost reporting period up to the cost reporting period described in clause (i).(III) The Secretary shall identify among such 5 cost reporting periods the cost reporting periods for which the amount determined under subclause (II) is the highest, and the lowest.(IV) The Secretary shall compute the averages of the amounts determined under subclause (II) for the 3 cost reporting periods not identified under subclause (III).
(iii) For purposes of this subparagraph, each of the following shall be treated as a separate class of hospital:(I) Hospitals described in clause (i) of subsection (d)(1)(B) and psychiatric units described in the matter following clause (v) of such subsection.(II) Hospitals described in clause (ii) of such subsection and rehabilitation units described in the matter following clause (v) of such subsection.(III) Hospitals described in clause (iii) of such subsection.(IV) Hospitals described in clause (iv) of such subsection.(V) Hospitals described in clause (v) of such subsection.
(G)
(i) In the case of a qualified long-term care hospital (as defined in clause (ii)) that elects (in a form and manner determined by the Secretary) this subparagraph to apply to the hospital, the target amount for the hospital’s 12-month cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1998 is equal to the allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in subsection (a)(4)) recognized under this subchapter for the hospital for the 12-month cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1996, increased by the applicable percentage increase for the cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1997.
(ii) In clause (i), a “qualified long-term care hospital” means, with respect to a cost reporting period, a hospital described in clause (iv) of subsection (d)(1)(B) during each of the 2 cost reporting periods for which the Secretary has the most recent settled cost reports as of August 5, 1997, for each of which—(I) the hospital’s allowable operating costs of inpatient hospital services recognized under this subchapter exceeded 115 percent of the hospital’s target amount, and(II) the hospital would have a disproportionate patient percentage of at least 70 percent (as determined by the Secretary under subsection (d)(5)(F)(vi)) if the hospital were a subsection (d) hospital.
(H)
(i) In the case of a hospital or unit that is within a class of hospital described in clause (iv), for a cost reporting period beginning during fiscal years 1998 through 2002, the target amount for such a hospital or unit may not exceed the amount as updated up to or for such cost reporting period under clause (ii).
(ii)(I) In the case of a hospital or unit that is within a class of hospital described in clause (iv), the Secretary shall estimate the 75th percentile of the target amounts for such hospitals within such class for cost reporting periods ending during fiscal year 1996, as adjusted under clause (iii).(II) The Secretary shall update the amount determined under subclause (I), for each cost reporting period after the cost reporting period described in such subclause and up to the first cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 1997, by a factor equal to the market basket percentage increase.(III) For cost reporting periods beginning during each of fiscal years 1999 through 2002, subject to subparagraph (J), the Secretary shall update such amount by a factor equal to the market basket percentage increase.
(iii) In applying clause (ii)(I) in the case of a hospital or unit, the Secretary shall provide for an appropriate adjustment to the labor-related portion of the amount determined under such subparagraph to take into account differences between average wage-related costs in the area of the hospital and the national average of such costs within the same class of hospital.
(iv) For purposes of this subparagraph, each of the following shall be treated as a separate class of hospital:(I) Hospitals described in clause (i) of subsection (d)(1)(B) and psychiatric units described in the matter following clause (v) of such subsection.(II) Hospitals described in clause (ii) of such subsection and rehabilitation units described in the matter following clause (v) of such subsection.(III) Hospitals described in clause (iv) of such subsection.
(I)
(i) Subject to subparagraph (L), for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2000, in the case of a sole community hospital there shall be substituted for the amount otherwise determined under subsection (d)(5)(D)(i), if such substitution results in a greater amount of payment under this section for the hospital—(I) with respect to discharges occurring in fiscal year 2001, 75 percent of the amount otherwise applicable to the hospital under subsection (d)(5)(D)(i) (referred to in this clause as the “subsection (d)(5)(D)(i) amount”) and 25 percent of the rebased target amount (as defined in clause (ii));(II) with respect to discharges occurring in fiscal year 2002, 50 percent of the subsection (d)(5)(D)(i) amount and 50 percent of the rebased target amount;(III) with respect to discharges occurring in fiscal year 2003, 25 percent of the subsection (d)(5)(D)(i) amount and 75 percent of the rebased target amount; and(IV) with respect to discharges occurring after fiscal year 2003, 100 percent of the rebased target amount.
(ii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the “rebased target amount” has the meaning given the term “target amount” in subparagraph (C) except that—(I) there shall be substituted for the base cost reporting period the 12-month cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1996;(II) any reference in subparagraph (C)(i) to the “first cost reporting period” described in such subparagraph is deemed a reference to the first cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 2000; and(III) applicable increase percentage shall only be applied under subparagraph (C)(iv) for discharges occurring in fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 2002.
(iii) In no case shall a hospital be denied treatment as a sole community hospital or payment (on the basis of a target rate as such as a hospital) because data are unavailable for any cost reporting period due to changes in ownership, changes in fiscal intermediaries, or other extraordinary circumstances, so long as data for at least one applicable base cost reporting period is available.
(J) For cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 2001, for a hospital described in subsection (d)(1)(B)(iv)—
(i) the limiting or cap amount otherwise determined under subparagraph (H) shall be increased by 2 percent; and
(ii) the target amount otherwise determined under subparagraph (A) shall be increased by 25 percent (subject to the limiting or cap amount determined under subparagraph (H), as increased by clause (i)).
(K)
(i) With respect to discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2006, in the case of a medicare-dependent, small rural hospital, for purposes of applying subparagraph (D)—(I) there shall be substituted for the base cost reporting period described in subparagraph (D)(i) the 12-month cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 2002; and(II) any reference in such subparagraph to the “first cost reporting period” described in such subparagraph is deemed a reference to the first cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 2006.
(ii) This subparagraph shall only apply to a hospital if the substitution described in clause (i)(I) results in an increase in the target amount under subparagraph (D) for the hospital.
(L)
(i) For cost reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2009, in the case of a sole community hospital there shall be substituted for the amount otherwise determined under subsection (d)(5)(D)(i) of this section, if such substitution results in a greater amount of payment under this section for the hospital, the subparagraph (L) rebased target amount.
(ii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “subparagraph (L) rebased target amount” has the meaning given the term “target amount” in subparagraph (C), except that—(I) there shall be substituted for the base cost reporting period the 12-month cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 2006;(II) any reference in subparagraph (C)(i) to the “first cost reporting period” described in such subparagraph is deemed a reference to the first cost reporting period beginning on or after January 1, 2009; and(III) the applicable percentage increase shall only be applied under subparagraph (C)(iv) for discharges occurring on or after January 1, 2009.
(4)
(A)
(i) The Secretary shall provide for an exception and adjustment to (and in the case of a hospital described in subsection (d)(1)(B)(iii), may provide an exemption from) the method under this subsection for determining the amount of payment to a hospital where events beyond the hospital’s control or extraordinary circumstances, including changes in the case mix of such hospital, create a distortion in the increase in costs for a cost reporting period (including any distortion in the costs for the base period against which such increase is measured). The Secretary may provide for such other exemptions from, and exceptions and adjustments to, such method as the Secretary deems appropriate, including the assignment of a new base period which is more representative, as determined by the Secretary, of the reasonable and necessary cost of inpatient services and including those which he deems necessary to take into account a decrease in the inpatient hospital services that a hospital provides and that are customarily provided directly by similar hospitals which results in a significant distortion in the operating costs of inpatient hospital services. The Secretary shall announce a decision on any request for an exemption, exception, or adjustment under this paragraph not later than 180 days after receiving a completed application from the intermediary for such exemption, exception, or adjustment, and shall include in such decision a detailed explanation of the grounds on which such request was approved or denied.
(ii) The payment reductions under paragraph (3)(B)(ii)(V) shall not be considered by the Secretary in making adjustments pursuant to clause (i). In making such reductions, the Secretary shall treat the applicable update factor described in paragraph (3)(B)(vi) for a fiscal year as being equal to the market basket percentage for that year.
(B) In determining under subparagraph (A) whether to assign a new base period which is more representative of the reasonable and necessary cost to a hospital of providing inpatient services, the Secretary shall take into consideration—
(i) changes in applicable technologies and medical practices, or differences in the severity of illness among patients, that increase the hospital’s costs;
(ii) whether increases in wages and wage-related costs for hospitals located in the geographic area in which the hospital is located exceed the average of the increases in such costs paid by hospitals in the United States; and
(iii) such other factors as the Secretary considers appropriate in determining increases in the hospital’s costs of providing inpatient services.
(C) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to payment of hospitals which is otherwise determined under paragraph (3) of section 1395f(b) of this title.
(5) In the case of any hospital having any cost reporting period of other than a 12-month period, the Secretary shall determine the 12-month period which shall be used for purposes of this section.
(6) In the case of any hospital which becomes subject to the taxes under section 3111 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, with respect to any or all of its employees, for part or all of a cost reporting period, and was not subject to such taxes with respect to any or all of its employees for all or part of the 12-month base cost reporting period referred to in subsection (b)(3)(A)(i), the Secretary shall provide for an adjustment by increasing the base period amount described in such subsection for such hospital by an amount equal to the amount of such taxes which would have been paid or accrued by such hospital for such base period if such hospital had been subject to such taxes for all of such base period with respect to all its employees, minus the amount of any such taxes actually paid or accrued for such base period.
(7)
(A) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in the case of a hospital or unit that is within a class of hospital described in subparagraph (B) which first receives payments under this section on or after October 1, 1997—
(i)(I) the amount of operating costs for such respective period, or(II) 110 percent of the national median (as estimated by the Secretary) of the target amount for hospitals in the same class as the hospital for cost reporting periods ending during fiscal year 1996, updated by the hospital market basket increase percentage to the fiscal year in which the hospital first received payments under this section, as adjusted under subparagraph (C); and
(ii) for purposes of computing the target amount for the subsequent cost reporting period, the target amount for the preceding cost reporting period is equal to the amount determined under clause (i) for such preceding period.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, each of the following shall be treated as a separate class of hospital:
(i) Hospitals described in clause (i) of subsection (d)(1)(B) and psychiatric units described in the matter following clause (v) of such subsection.
(ii) Hospitals described in clause (ii) of such subsection and rehabilitation units described in the matter following clause (v) of such subsection.
(iii) Hospitals described in clause (iv) of such subsection.
(C) In applying subparagraph (A)(i)(II) in the case of a hospital or unit, the Secretary shall provide for an appropriate adjustment to the labor-related portion of the amount determined under such subparagraph to take into account differences between average wage-related costs in the area of the hospital and the national average of such costs within the same class of hospital.
(c) Payment in accordance with State hospital reimbursement control system; amount of payment; discontinuance of payments
(1) The Secretary may provide, in his discretion, that payment with respect to services provided by a hospital in a State may be made in accordance with a hospital reimbursement control system in a State, rather than in accordance with the other provisions of this subchapter, if the chief executive officer of the State requests such treatment and if—
(A) the Secretary determines that the system, if approved under this subsection, will apply (i) to substantially all non-Federal acute care hospitals (as defined by the Secretary) in the State and (ii) to the review of at least 75 percent of all revenues or expenses in the State for inpatient hospital services and of revenues or expenses for inpatient hospital services provided under the State’s plan approved under subchapter XIX;
(B) the Secretary has been provided satisfactory assurances as to the equitable treatment under the system of all entities (including Federal and State programs) that pay hospitals for inpatient hospital services, of hospital employees, and of hospital patients;
(C) the Secretary has been provided satisfactory assurances that under the system, over 36-month periods (the first such period beginning with the first month in which this subsection applies to that system in the State), the amount of payments made under this subchapter under such system will not exceed the amount of payments which would otherwise have been made under this subchapter not using such system;
(D) the Secretary determines that the system will not preclude an eligible organization (as defined in section 1395mm(b) of this title) from negotiating directly with hospitals with respect to the organization’s rate of payment for inpatient hospital services; and
(E) the Secretary determines that the system requires hospitals to meet the requirement of section 1395cc(a)(1)(G) of this title and the system provides for the exclusion of certain costs in accordance with section 1395y(a)(14) of this title (except for such waivers thereof as the Secretary provides by regulation).
The Secretary cannot deny the application of a State under this subsection on the ground that the State’s hospital reimbursement control system is based on a payment methodology other than on the basis of a diagnosis-related group or on the ground that the amount of payments made under this subchapter under such system must be less than the amount of payments which would otherwise have been made under this subchapter not using such system. If the Secretary determines that the conditions described in subparagraph (C) are based on maintaining payment amounts at no more than a specified percentage increase above the payment amounts in a base period, the State has the option of applying such test (for inpatient hospital services under part A) on an aggregate payment basis or on the basis of the amount of payment per inpatient discharge or admission. If the Secretary determines that the conditions described in subparagraph (C) are based on maintaining aggregate payment amounts below a national average percentage increase in total payments under part A for inpatient hospital services, the Secretary cannot deny the application of a State under this subsection on the ground that the State’s rate of increase in such payments for such services must be less than such national average rate of increase.
(2) In determining under paragraph (1)(C) the amount of payment which would otherwise have been made under this subchapter for a State, the Secretary may provide for appropriate adjustment of such amount to take into account previous reductions effected in the amount of payments made under this subchapter in the State due to the operation of the hospital reimbursement control system in the State if the system has resulted in an aggregate rate of increase in operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in subsection (a)(4)) under this subchapter for hospitals in the State which is less than the aggregate rate of increase in such costs under this subchapter for hospitals in the United States.
(3) The Secretary shall discontinue payments under a system described in paragraph (1) if the Secretary—
(A) determines that the system no longer meets the requirements of subparagraphs (A), (D), and (E) of paragraph (1) and, if applicable, the requirements of paragraph (5), or
(B) has reason to believe that the assurances described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (1) (or, if applicable, in paragraph (5)) are not being (or will not be) met.
(4) The Secretary shall approve the request of a State under paragraph (1) with respect to a hospital reimbursement control system if—
(A) the requirements of subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E) of paragraph (1) have been met with respect to the system, and
(B) with respect to that system a waiver of certain requirements of this subchapter has been approved on or before (and which is in effect as of) April 20, 1983, pursuant to section 1395b–1(a) of this title or section 222(a) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972.
With respect to a State system described in this paragraph, the Secretary shall judge the effectiveness of such system on the basis of its rate of increase or inflation in inpatient hospital payments for individuals under this subchapter, as compared to the national rate of increase or inflation for such payments, with the State retaining the option to have the test applied on the basis of the aggregate payments under the State system as compared to aggregate payments which would have been made under the national system since October 1, 1984, to the most recent date for which annual data are available.
(5) The Secretary shall approve the request of a State under paragraph (1) with respect to a hospital reimbursement control system if—
(A) the requirements of subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E) of paragraph (1) have been met with respect to the system;
(B) the Secretary determines that the system—
(i) is operated directly by the State or by an entity designated pursuant to State law,
(ii) provides for payment of hospitals covered under the system under a methodology (which sets forth exceptions and adjustments, as well as any method for changes in the methodology) by which rates or amounts to be paid for hospital services during a specified period are established under the system prior to the defined rate period, and
(iii) hospitals covered under the system will make such reports (in lieu of cost and other reports, identified by the Secretary, otherwise required under this subchapter) as the Secretary may require in order to properly monitor assurances provided under this subsection;
(C) the State has provided the Secretary with satisfactory assurances that operation of the system will not result in any change in hospital admission practices which result in—
(i) a significant reduction in the proportion of patients (receiving hospital services covered under the system) who have no third-party coverage and who are unable to pay for hospital services,
(ii) a significant reduction in the proportion of individuals admitted to hospitals for inpatient hospital services for which payment is (or is likely to be) less than the anticipated charges for or costs of such services,
(iii) the refusal to admit patients who would be expected to require unusually costly or prolonged treatment for reasons other than those related to the appropriateness of the care available at the hospital, or
(iv) the refusal to provide emergency services to any person who is in need of emergency services if the hospital provides such services;
(D) any change by the State in the system which has the effect of materially reducing payments to hospitals can only take effect upon 60 days notice to the Secretary and to the hospitals the payment to which is likely to be materially affected by the change; and
(E) the State has provided the Secretary with satisfactory assurances that in the development of the system the State has consulted with local governmental officials concerning the impact of the system on public hospitals.
The Secretary shall respond to requests of States under this paragraph within 60 days of the date the request is submitted to the Secretary.
(6) If the Secretary determines that the assurances described in paragraph (1)(C) have not been met with respect to any 36-month period, the Secretary may reduce payments under this subchapter to hospitals under the system in an amount equal to the amount by which the payment under this subchapter under such system for such period exceeded the amount of payments which would otherwise have been made under this subchapter not using such system.
(7) In the case of a State which made a request under paragraph (5) before December 31, 1984, for the approval of a State hospital reimbursement control system and which request was approved—
(A) in applying paragraphs (1)(C) and (6), a reference to a “36-month period” is deemed a reference to a “48-month period”, and
(B) in order to allow the State the opportunity to provide the assurances described in paragraph (1)(C) for a 48-month period, the Secretary may not discontinue payments under the system, under the authority of paragraph (3)(A) because the Secretary has reason to believe that such assurances are not being (or will not be) met, before July 1, 1986.
(d) Inpatient hospital service payments on basis of prospective rates; Medicare Geographical Classification Review Board
(1)
(A) Notwithstanding section 1395f(b) of this title but subject to the provisions of section 1395e of this title, the amount of the payment with respect to the operating costs of inpatient hospital services (as defined in subsection (a)(4)) of a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in subparagraph (B)) for inpatient hospital discharges in a cost reporting period or in a fiscal year—
(i) beginning on or after October 1, 1983, and before October 1, 1984, is equal to the sum of—(I) the target percentage (as defined in subparagraph (C)) of the hospital’s target amount for the cost reporting period (as defined in subsection (b)(3)(A) of this section, but determined without the application of subsection (a)), and(II) the DRG percentage (as defined in subparagraph (C)) of the regional adjusted DRG prospective payment rate determined under paragraph (2) for such discharges;
(ii) beginning on or after October 1, 1984, and before October 1, 1987, is equal to the sum of—(I) the target percentage (as defined in subparagraph (C)) of the hospital’s target amount for the cost reporting period (as defined in subsection (b)(3)(A), but determined without the application of subsection (a)), and(II) the DRG percentage (as defined in subparagraph (C)) of the applicable combined adjusted DRG prospective payment rate determined under subparagraph (D) for such discharges; or
(iii) beginning on or after April 1, 1988, is equal to—(I) the national adjusted DRG prospective payment rate determined under paragraph (3) for such discharges, or(II) for discharges occurring during a fiscal year ending on or before September 30, 1996, the sum of 85 percent of the national adjusted DRG prospective payment rate determined under paragraph (3) for such discharges and 15 percent of the regional adjusted DRG prospective payment rate determined under such paragraph, but only if the average standardized amount (described in clause (i)(I) or clause (ii)(I) of paragraph (3)(D)) for hospitals within the region of, and in the same large urban or other area (or, for discharges occurring during a fiscal year ending on or before September 30, 1994, the same large urban or other area) as, the hospital is greater than the average standardized amount (described in the respective clause) for hospitals within the United States in that type of area for discharges occurring during such fiscal year.
(B) As used in this section, the term “subsection (d) hospital” means a hospital located in one of the fifty States or the District of Columbia other than—
(i) a psychiatric hospital (as defined in section 1395x(f) of this title),
(ii) a rehabilitation hospital (as defined by the Secretary),
(iii) a hospital whose inpatients are predominantly individuals under 18 years of age,
(iv) a hospital which has an average inpatient length of stay (as determined by the Secretary) of greater than 25 days,
(v)(I) a hospital that the Secretary has classified, at any time on or before December 31, 1990,3
3 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
(or, in the case of a hospital that, as of December 19, 1989, is located in a State operating a demonstration project under section 1395f(b) of this title, on or before December 31, 1991) for purposes of applying exceptions and adjustments to payment amounts under this subsection, as a hospital involved extensively in treatment for or research on cancer,(II) a hospital that was recognized as a comprehensive cancer center or clinical cancer research center by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health as of April 20, 1983, that is located in a State which, as of December 19, 1989, was not operating a demonstration project under section 1395f(b) of this title, that applied and was denied, on or before December 31, 1990, for classification as a hospital involved extensively in treatment for or research on cancer under this clause (as in effect on the day before August 5, 1997), that as of August 5, 1997, is licensed for less than 50 acute care beds, and that demonstrates for the 4-year period ending on December 31, 1996, that at least 50 percent of its total discharges have a principal finding of neoplastic disease, as defined in subparagraph (E), or(III) a hospital that was recognized as a clinical cancer research center by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health as of February 18, 1998, that has never been reimbursed for inpatient hospital services pursuant to a reimbursement system under a demonstration project under section 1395f(b) of this title, that is a freestanding facility organized primarily for treatment of and research on cancer and is not a unit of another hospital, that as of December 21, 2000, is licensed for 162 acute care beds, and that demonstrates for the 4-year period ending on June 30, 1999, that at least 50 percent of its total discharges have a principal finding of neoplastic disease, as defined in subparagraph (E), or
(vi) a hospital that first received payment under this subsection in 1986 which has an average inpatient length of stay (as determined by the Secretary) of greater than 20 days and that has 80 percent or more of its annual medicare inpatient discharges with a principal diagnosis that reflects a finding of neoplastic disease in the 12-month cost reporting period ending in fiscal year 1997;
and, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, does not include a psychiatric or rehabilitation unit of the hospital which is a distinct part of the hospital (as defined by the Secretary). A hospital that was classified by the Secretary on or before September 30, 1995, as a hospital described in clause (iv) (as in effect as of such date) shall continue to be so classified (or, in the case of a hospital described in clause (iv)(II), as so in effect, shall be classified under clause (vi) on and after the effective date of such clause (vi) and for cost reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2015, shall not be subject to subsection (m) as of the date of such classification) notwithstanding that it is located in the same building as, or on the same campus as, another hospital.
(C) For purposes of this subsection, for cost reporting periods beginning—
(i) on or after October 1, 1983, and before October 1, 1984, the “target percentage” is 75 percent and the “DRG percentage” is 25 percent;
(ii) on or after October 1, 1984, and before October 1, 1985, the “target percentage” is 50 percent and the “DRG percentage” is 50 percent;
(iii) on or after October 1, 1985, and before October 1, 1986, the “target percentage” is 45 percent and the “DRG percentage” is 55 percent; and
(iv) on or after October 1, 1986, and before October 1, 1987, the “target percentage” is 25 percent and the “DRG percentage” is 75 percent.
(D) For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii)(II), the “applicable combined adjusted DRG prospective payment rate” for discharges occurring—
(i) on or after October 1, 1984, and before October 1, 1986, is a combined rate consisting of 25 percent of the national adjusted DRG prospective payment rate, and 75 percent of the regional adjusted DRG prospective payment rate, determined under paragraph (3) for such discharges; and
(ii) on or after October 1, 1986, and before October 1, 1987, is a combined rate consisting of 50 percent of the national adjusted DRG prospective payment rate, and 50 percent of the regional adjusted DRG prospective payment rate, determined under paragraph (3) for such discharges.
(E) For purposes of subclauses (II) and (III) of subparagraph (B)(v) only, the term “principal finding of neoplastic disease” means the condition established after study to be chiefly responsible for occasioning the admission of a patient to a hospital, except that only discharges with ICD–9–CM principal diagnosis codes of 140 through 239, V58.0, V58.1, V66.1, V66.2, or 990 will be considered to reflect such a principal diagnosis.
(2) The Secretary shall determine a national adjusted DRG prospective payment rate, for each inpatient hospital discharge in fiscal year 1984 involving inpatient hospital services of a subsection (d) hospital in the United States, and shall determine a regional adjusted DRG prospective payment rate for such discharges in each region, for which payment may be made under part A of this subchapter. Each such rate shall be determined for hospitals located in urban or rural areas within the United States or within each such region, respectively, as follows:
(A)Determining allowable individual hospital costs for base period.—The Secretary shall determine the allowable operating costs per discharge of inpatient hospital services for the hospital for the most recent cost reporting period for which data are available.
(B)Updating for fiscal year 1984.—The Secretary shall update each amount determined under subparagraph (A) for fiscal year 1984 by—
(i) updating for fiscal year 1983 by the estimated average rate of change of hospital costs industry-wide between the cost reporting period used under such subparagraph and fiscal year 1983 and the most recent case-mix data available, and
(ii) projecting for fiscal year 1984 by the applicable percentage increase (as defined in subsection (b)(3)(B)) for fiscal year 1984.
(C)Standardizing amounts.—The Secretary shall standardize the amount updated under subparagraph (B) for each hospital by—
(i) excluding an estimate of indirect medical education costs (taking into account, for discharges occurring after September 30, 1986, the amendments made by section 9104(a) of the Medicare and Medicaid Budget Reconciliation Amendments of 1985), except that the Secretary shall not take into account any reduction in the amount of additional payments under paragraph (5)(B)(ii) resulting from the amendment made by section 4621(a)(1) of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 or any additional payments under such paragraph resulting from the application of section 111 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999, of section 302 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, or the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003,
(ii) adjusting for variations among hospitals by area in the average hospital wage level,
(iii) adjusting for variations in case mix among hospitals, and
(iv) for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1986, excluding an estimate of the additional payments to certain hospitals to be made under paragraph (5)(F), except that the Secretary shall not exclude additional payments under such paragraph made as a result of the enactment of section 6003(c) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989, the enactment of section 4002(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, the enactment of section 303 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, or the enactment of section 402(a)(1) 4
4 See References in Text note below.
of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.
(D)Computing urban and rural averages.—The Secretary shall compute an average of the standardized amounts determined under subparagraph (C) for the United States and for each region—
(i) for all subsection (d) hospitals located in an urban area within the United States or that region, respectively, and
(ii) for all subsection (d) hospitals located in a rural area within the United States or that region, respectively.
For purposes of this subsection, the term “region” means one of the nine census divisions, comprising the fifty States and the District of Columbia, established by the Bureau of the Census for statistical and reporting purposes; the term “urban area” means an area within a Metropolitan Statistical Area (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget) or within such similar area as the Secretary has recognized under subsection (a) by regulation; the term “large urban area” means, with respect to a fiscal year, such an urban area which the Secretary determines (in the publications described in subsection (e)(5) before the fiscal year) has a population of more than 1,000,000 (as determined by the Secretary based on the most recent available population data published by the Bureau of the Census); and the term “rural area” means any area outside such an area or similar area. A hospital located in a Metropolitan Statistical Area shall be deemed to be located in the region in which the largest number of the hospitals in the same Metropolitan Statistical Area are located, or, at the option of the Secretary, the region in which the majority of the inpatient discharges (with respect to which payments are made under this subchapter) from hospitals in the same Metropolitan Statistical Area are made.
(E)Reducing for value of outlier payments.—The Secretary shall reduce each of the average standardized amounts determined under subparagraph (D) by a proportion equal to the proportion (estimated by the Secretary) of the amount of payments under this subsection based on DRG prospective payment rates which are additional payments described in paragraph (5)(A) (relating to outlier payments).
(F)Maintaining budget neutrality.—The Secretary shall adjust each of such average standardized amounts as may be required under subsection (e)(1)(B) for that fiscal year.
(G)Computing drg-specific rates for urban and rural hospitals in the united states and in each region.—For each discharge classified within a diagnosis-related group, the Secretary shall establish a national DRG prospective payment rate and shall establish a regional DRG prospective payment rate for each region, each of which is equal—
(i) for hospitals located in an urban area in the United States or that region (respectively), to the product of—(I) the average standardized amount (computed under subparagraph (D), reduced under subparagraph (E), and adjusted under subparagraph (F)) for hospitals located in an urban area in the United States or that region, and(II) the weighting factor (determined under paragraph (4)(B)) for that diagnosis-related group; and
(ii) for hospitals located in a rural area in the United States or that region (respectively), to the product of—(I) the average standardized amount (computed under subparagraph (D), reduced under subparagraph (E), and adjusted under subparagraph (F)) for hospitals located in a rural area in the United States or that region, and(II) the weighting factor (determined under paragraph (4)(B)) for that diagnosis-related group.
(H)Adjusting for different area wage levels.—The Secretary shall adjust the proportion, (as estimated by the Secretary from time to time) of hospitals’ costs which are attributable to wages and wage-related costs, of the national and regional DRG prospective payment rates computed under subparagraph (G) for area differences in hospital wage levels by a factor (established by the Secretary) reflecting the relative hospital wage level in the geographic area of the hospital compared to the national average hospital wage level.
(3) The Secretary shall determine a national adjusted DRG prospective payment rate, for each inpatient hospital discharge in a fiscal year after fiscal year 1984 involving inpatient hospital services of a subsection (d) hospital in the United States, and shall determine, for fiscal years before fiscal year 1997, a regional adjusted DRG prospective payment rate for such discharges in each region for which payment may be made under part A of this subchapter. Each such rate shall be determined for hospitals located in large urban, other urban, or rural areas within the United States and within each such region, respectively, as follows:
(A)Updating previous standardized amounts.—
(i) For discharges occurring in a fiscal year beginning before October 1, 1987, the Secretary shall compute an average standardized amount for hospitals located in an urban area and for hospitals located in a rural area within the United States and for hospitals located in an urban area and for hospitals located in a rural area within each region, equal to the respective average standardized amount computed for the previous fiscal year under paragraph (2)(D) or under this subparagraph, increased for the fiscal year involved by the applicable percentage increase under subsection (b)(3)(B). With respect to discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1987, the Secretary shall compute urban and rural averages on the basis of discharge weighting rather than hospital weighting, making appropriate adjustments to ensure that computation on such basis does not result in total payments under this section that are greater or less than the total payments that would have been made under this section but for this sentence, and making appropriate changes in the manner of determining the reductions under subparagraph (C)(ii).
(ii) For discharges occurring in a fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 1987, and ending on or before September 30, 1994, the Secretary shall compute an average standardized amount for hospitals located in a large urban area, for hospitals located in a rural area, and for hospitals located in other urban areas, within the United States and within each region, equal to the respective average standardized amount computed for the previous fiscal year under this subparagraph increased by the applicable percentage increase under subsection (b)(3)(B)(i) with respect to hospitals located in the respective areas for the fiscal year involved.
(iii) For discharges occurring in the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 1994, the average standardized amount for hospitals located in a rural area shall be equal to the average standardized amount for hospitals located in an urban area. For discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1994, the Secretary shall adjust the ratio of the labor portion to non-labor portion of each average standardized amount to equal such ratio for the national average of all standardized amounts.
(iv)(I) Subject to subclause (II), for discharges occurring in a fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 1995, the Secretary shall compute an average standardized amount for hospitals located in a large urban area and for hospitals located in other areas within the United States and within each region equal to the respective average standardized amount computed for the previous fiscal year under this subparagraph increased by the applicable percentage increase under subsection (b)(3)(B)(i) with respect to hospitals located in the respective areas for the fiscal year involved.(II) For discharges occurring in a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2004), the Secretary shall compute a standardized amount for hospitals located in any area within the United States and within each region equal to the standardized amount computed for the previous fiscal year under this subparagraph for hospitals located in a large urban area (or, beginning with fiscal year 2005, for all hospitals in the previous fiscal year) increased by the applicable percentage increase under subsection (b)(3)(B)(i) for the fiscal year involved.
(v) Average standardized amounts computed under this paragraph shall be adjusted to reflect the most recent case-mix data available.
(vi) Insofar as the Secretary determines that the adjustments under paragraph (4)(C)(i) for a previous fiscal year (or estimates that such adjustments for a future fiscal year) did (or are likely to) result in a change in aggregate payments under this subsection during the fiscal year that are a result of changes in the coding or classification of discharges that do not reflect real changes in case mix, the Secretary may adjust the average standardized amounts computed under this paragraph for subsequent fiscal years so as to eliminate the effect of such coding or classification changes.
(B)Reducing for value of outlier payments.—The Secretary shall reduce each of the average standardized amounts determined under subparagraph (A) by a factor equal to the proportion of payments under this subsection (as estimated by the Secretary) based on DRG prospective payment amounts which are additional payments described in paragraph (5)(A) (relating to outlier payments).
(C)Maintaining budget neutrality for fiscal year 1985.—
(i) For discharges occurring in fiscal year 1985, the Secretary shall adjust each of such average standardized amounts as may be required under subsection (e)(1)(B) for that fiscal year.
(ii)Reducing for savings from amendment to indirect teaching adjustment for discharges after september 30, 1986.—For discharges occurring after September 30, 1986, the Secretary shall further reduce each of the average standardized amounts (in a proportion which takes into account the differing effects of the standardization effected under paragraph (2)(C)(i)) so as to provide for a reduction in the total of the payments (attributable to this paragraph) made for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1986, of an amount equal to the estimated reduction in the payment amounts under paragraph (5)(B) that would have resulted from the enactment of the amendments made by section 9104 of the Medicare and Medicaid Budget Reconciliation Amendments of 1985 and by section 4003(a)(1) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 if the factor described in clause (ii)(II) of paragraph (5)(B) (determined without regard to amendments made by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) were applied for discharges occurring on or after such date instead of the factor described in clause (ii) of that paragraph.
(D)Computing drg-specific rates for hospitals.—For each discharge classified within a diagnosis-related group, the Secretary shall establish for the fiscal year a national DRG prospective payment rate and shall establish, for fiscal years before fiscal year 1997, a regional DRG prospective payment rate for each region which is equal—
(i) for fiscal years before fiscal year 2004, for hospitals located in a large urban area in the United States or that region (respectively), to the product of—(I) the average standardized amount (computed under subparagraph (A), reduced under subparagraph (B), and adjusted or reduced under subparagraph (C)) for the fiscal year for hospitals located in such a large urban area in the United States or that region, and(II) the weighting factor (determined under paragraph (4)(B)) for that diagnosis-related group;
(ii) for fiscal years before fiscal year 2004, for hospitals located in other areas in the United States or that region (respectively), to the product of—(I) the average standardized amount (computed under subparagraph (A), reduced under subparagraph (B), and adjusted or reduced under subparagraph (C)) for the fiscal year for hospitals located in other areas in the United States or that region, and(II) the weighting factor (determined under paragraph (4)(B)) for that diagnosis-related group; and
(iii) for a fiscal year beginning after fiscal year 2003, for hospitals located in all areas, to the product of—(I) the applicable standardized amount (computed under subparagraph (A)), reduced under subparagraph (B), and adjusted or reduced under subparagraph (C) for the fiscal year; and(II) the weighting factor (determined under paragraph (4)(B)) for that diagnosis-related group.
(E)Adjusting for different area wage levels.—
(i)In general.—Except as provided in clause (ii), (iii), or (iv), the Secretary shall adjust the proportion, (as estimated by the Secretary from time to time) of hospitals’ costs which are attributable to wages and wage-related costs, of the DRG prospective payment rates computed under subparagraph (D) for area differences in hospital wage levels by a factor (established by the Secretary) reflecting the relative hospital wage level in the geographic area of the hospital compared to the national average hospital wage level. Not later than October 1, 1990, and October 1, 1993 (and at least every 12 months thereafter), the Secretary shall update the factor under the preceding sentence on the basis of a survey conducted by the Secretary (and updated as appropriate) of the wages and wage-related costs of subsection (d) hospitals in the United States. Not less often than once every 3 years the Secretary (through such survey or otherwise) shall measure the earnings and paid hours of employment by occupational category and shall exclude data with respect to the wages and wage-related costs incurred in furnishing skilled nursing facility services. Any adjustments or updates made under this subparagraph for a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1991) shall be made in a manner that assures that the aggregate payments under this subsection in the fiscal year are not greater or less than those that would have been made in the year without such adjustment. The Secretary shall apply the previous sentence for any period as if the amendments made by section 403(a)(1) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, the amendments made by section 10324(a)(1) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the amendments made by section 9831(a) of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 had not been enacted.
(ii)Alternative proportion to be adjusted beginning in fiscal year 2005.—For discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2004, the Secretary shall substitute “62 percent” for the proportion described in the first sentence of clause (i), unless the application of this clause would result in lower payments to a hospital than would otherwise be made.
(iii)Floor on area wage index for hospitals in frontier states.—(I)In general.—Subject to subclause (IV), for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2010, the area wage index applicable under this subparagraph to any hospital which is located in a frontier State (as defined in subclause (II)) may not be less than 1.00.(II)Frontier state defined.—In this clause, the term “frontier State” means a State in which at least 50 percent of the counties in the State are frontier counties.(III)Frontier county defined.—In this clause, the term “frontier county” means a county in which the population per square mile is less than 6.(IV)Limitation.—This clause shall not apply to any hospital located in a State that receives a non-labor related share adjustment under paragraph (5)(H).
(iv)Floor on area wage index for hospitals in all-urban states.—(I)In general.—For discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2021, the area wage index applicable under this subparagraph to any hospital in an all-urban State (as defined in subclause (IV)) may not be less than the minimum area wage index for the fiscal year for hospitals in that State, as established under subclause (II).(II)Minimum area wage index.—For purposes of subclause (I), the Secretary shall establish a minimum area wage index for a fiscal year for hospitals in each all-urban State using the methodology described in section 412.64(h)(4)(vi) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect for fiscal year 2018.(III)Waiving budget neutrality.—Pursuant to the fifth sentence of clause (i), this clause shall not be applied in a budget neutral manner.(IV)All-urban state defined.—In this clause, the term “all-urban State” means a State in which there are no rural areas (as defined in paragraph (2)(D)) or a State in which there are no hospitals classified as rural under this section.
(4)
(A) The Secretary shall establish a classification of inpatient hospital discharges by diagnosis-related groups and a methodology for classifying specific hospital discharges within these groups.
(B) For each such diagnosis-related group the Secretary shall assign an appropriate weighting factor which reflects the relative hospital resources used with respect to discharges classified within that group compared to discharges classified within other groups.
(C)
(i) The Secretary shall adjust the classifications and weighting factors established under subparagraphs (A) and (B), for discharges in fiscal year 1988 and at least annually thereafter, to reflect changes in treatment patterns, technology (including a new medical service or technology under paragraph (5)(K)), and other factors which may change the relative use of hospital resources.
(ii) For discharges in fiscal year 1990, the Secretary shall reduce the weighting factor for each diagnosis-related group by 1.22 percent.
(iii) Any such adjustment under clause (i) for discharges in a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1991) or payments under paragraph (5)(M) (beginning with fiscal year 2021) shall be made in a manner that assures that the aggregate payments under this subsection for discharges in the fiscal year are not greater or less than those that would have been made for discharges in the year without such adjustment or payments under paragraph (5)(M).
(iv)(I) For discharges occurring during the emergency period described in section 1320b–5(g)(1)(B) of this title, in the case of a discharge of an individual diagnosed with COVID–19, the Secretary shall increase the weighting factor that would otherwise apply to the diagnosis-related group to which the discharge is assigned by 20 percent. The Secretary shall identify a discharge of such an individual through the use of diagnosis codes, condition codes, or other such means as may be necessary.(II) Any adjustment under subclause (I) shall not be taken into account in applying budget neutrality under clause (iii) 5
5 So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.
(III) In the case of a State for which the Secretary has waived all or part of this section under the authority of section 1315a of this title, nothing in this section shall preclude such State from implementing an adjustment similar to the adjustment under subclause (I).
(D)
(i) For discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2008, the diagnosis-related group to be assigned under this paragraph for a discharge described in clause (ii) shall be a diagnosis-related group that does not result in higher payment based on the presence of a secondary diagnosis code described in clause (iv).
(ii) A discharge described in this clause is a discharge which meets the following requirements:(I) The discharge includes a condition identified by a diagnosis code selected under clause (iv) as a secondary diagnosis.(II) But for clause (i), the discharge would have been classified to a diagnosis-related group that results in a higher payment based on the presence of a secondary diagnosis code selected under clause (iv).(III) At the time of admission, no code selected under clause (iv) was present.
(iii) As part of the information required to be reported by a hospital with respect to a discharge of an individual in order for payment to be made under this subsection, for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2007, the information shall include the secondary diagnosis of the individual at admission.
(iv) By not later than October 1, 2007, the Secretary shall select diagnosis codes associated with at least two conditions, each of which codes meets all of the following requirements (as determined by the Secretary):(I) Cases described by such code have a high cost or high volume, or both, under this subchapter.(II) The code results in the assignment of a case to a diagnosis-related group that has a higher payment when the code is present as a secondary diagnosis.(III) The code describes such conditions that could reasonably have been prevented through the application of evidence-based guidelines.
The Secretary may from time to time revise (through addition or deletion of codes) the diagnosis codes selected under this clause so long as there are diagnosis codes associated with at least two conditions selected for discharges occurring during any fiscal year.
(v) In selecting and revising diagnosis codes under clause (iv), the Secretary shall consult with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other appropriate entities.
(vi) Any change resulting from the application of this subparagraph shall not be taken into account in adjusting the weighting factors under subparagraph (C)(i) or in applying budget neutrality under subparagraph (C)(iii).
(5)
(A)
(i) For discharges occurring during fiscal years ending on or before September 30, 1997, the Secretary shall provide for an additional payment for a subsection (d) hospital for any discharge in a diagnosis-related group, the length of stay of which exceeds the mean length of stay for discharges within that group by a fixed number of days, or exceeds such mean length of stay by some fixed number of standard deviations, whichever is the fewer number of days.
(ii) For cases which are not included in clause (i), a subsection (d) hospital may request additional payments in any case where charges, adjusted to cost, exceed a fixed multiple of the applicable DRG prospective payment rate, or exceed such other fixed dollar amount, whichever is greater, or, for discharges in fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 1994, exceed the sum of the applicable DRG prospective payment rate plus any amounts payable under subparagraphs (B) and (F) plus a fixed dollar amount determined by the Secretary.
(iii) The amount of such additional payment under clauses (i) and (ii) shall be determined by the Secretary and shall (except as payments under clause (i) are required to be reduced to take into account the requirements of clause (v)) approximate the marginal cost of care beyond the cutoff point applicable under clause (i) or (ii).
(iv) The total amount of the additional payments made under this subparagraph for discharges in a fiscal year may not be less than 5 percent nor more than 6 percent of the total payments projected or estimated to be made based on DRG prospective payment rates for discharges in that year.
(v) The Secretary shall provide that—(I) the day outlier percentage for fiscal year 1995 shall be 75 percent of the day outlier percentage for fiscal year 1994;(II) the day outlier percentage for fiscal year 1996 shall be 50 percent of the day outlier percentage for fiscal year 1994; and(III) the day outlier percentage for fiscal year 1997 shall be 25 percent of the day outlier percentage for fiscal year 1994.
(vi) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “day outlier percentage” means, for a fiscal year, the percentage of the total additional payments made by the Secretary under this subparagraph for discharges in that fiscal year which are additional payments under clause (i).
(B) The Secretary shall provide for an additional payment amount for subsection (d) hospitals with indirect costs of medical education, in an amount computed in the same manner as the adjustment for such costs under regulations (in effect as of January 1, 1983) under subsection (a)(2), except as follows:
(i) The amount of such additional payment shall be determined by multiplying (I) the sum of the amount determined under paragraph (1)(A)(ii)(II) (or, if applicable, the amount determined under paragraph (1)(A)(iii)) and, for cases qualifying for additional payment under subparagraph (A)(i), the amount paid to the hospital under subparagraph (A), by (II) the indirect teaching adjustment factor described in clause (ii).
(ii) For purposes of clause (i)(II), the indirect teaching adjustment factor is equal to c × (((1+r) to the nth power) −1), where “r” is the ratio of the hospital’s full-time equivalent interns and residents to beds and “n” equals .405. Subject to clause (ix), for discharges occurring—(I) on or after October 1, 1988, and before October 1, 1997, “c” is equal to 1.89;(II) during fiscal year 1998, “c” is equal to 1.72;(III) during fiscal year 1999, “c” is equal to 1.6;(IV) during fiscal year 2000, “c” is equal to 1.47;(V) during fiscal year 2001, “c” is equal to 1.54;(VI) during fiscal year 2002, “c” is equal to 1.6;(VII) on or after October 1, 2002, and before April 1, 2004, “c” is equal to 1.35;(VIII) on or after April 1, 2004, and before October 1, 2004, “c” is equal to 1.47;(IX) during fiscal year 2005, “c” is equal to 1.42;(X) during fiscal year 2006, “c” is equal to 1.37;(XI) during fiscal year 2007, “c” is equal to 1.32; and(XII) on or after October 1, 2007, “c” is equal to 1.35.
(iii) In determining such adjustment the Secretary shall not distinguish between those interns and residents who are employees of a hospital and those interns and residents who furnish services to a hospital but are not employees of such hospital.
(iv)(I) Effective for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1997, and before July 1, 2010, all the time spent by an intern or resident in patient care activities under an approved medical residency training program at an entity in a nonhospital setting shall be counted towards the determination of full-time equivalency if the hospital incurs all, or substantially all, of the costs for the training program in that setting.(II) Effective for discharges occurring on or after July 1, 2010, all the time spent by an intern or resident in patient care activities in a nonprovider setting shall be counted towards the determination of full-time equivalency if a hospital incurs the costs of the stipends and fringe benefits of the intern or resident during the time the intern or resident spends in that setting. If more than one hospital incurs these costs, either directly or through a third party, such hospitals shall count a proportional share of the time, as determined by written agreement between the hospitals, that a resident spends training in that setting.
(v) In determining the adjustment with respect to a hospital for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1997, the total number of full-time equivalent interns and residents in the fields of allopathic and osteopathic medicine in either a hospital or nonhospital setting may not exceed the number (or, 130 percent of such number in the case of a hospital located in a rural area) of such full-time equivalent interns and residents in the hospital with respect to the hospital’s most recent cost reporting period ending on or before December 31, 1996. Rules similar to the rules of subsection (h)(4)(F)(ii) shall apply for purposes of this clause. The provisions of subsections (h)(4)(H)(vi), (h)(7), (h)(8), (h)(9), and (h)(10) shall apply with respect to the first sentence of this clause in the same manner as they apply with respect to subsection (h)(4)(F)(i).
(vi) For purposes of clause (ii)—(I) “r” may not exceed the ratio of the number of interns and residents, subject to the limit under clause (v), with respect to the hospital for its most recent cost reporting period to the hospital’s available beds (as defined by the Secretary) during that cost reporting period, and(II) for the hospital’s cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1997, subject to the limits described in clauses (iv) and (v), the total number of full-time equivalent residents for payment purposes shall equal the average of the actual full-time equivalent resident count for the cost reporting period and the preceding two cost reporting periods.
In the case of the first cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 1997, subclause (II) shall be applied by using the average for such period and the preceding cost reporting period.
(vii) If any cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 1997, is not equal to twelve months, the Secretary shall make appropriate modifications to ensure that the average full-time equivalent residency count pursuant to subclause (II) of clause (vi) is based on the equivalent of full twelve-month cost reporting periods.
(viii) Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (2)(F)(iv) and (4)(H) of subsection (h) shall apply for purposes of clauses (v) and (vi).
(ix) For discharges occurring on or after July 1, 2005, insofar as an additional payment amount under this subparagraph is attributable to resident positions redistributed to a hospital under subsection (h)(7)(B), in computing the indirect teaching adjustment factor under clause (ii) the adjustment shall be computed in a manner as if “c” were equal to 0.66 with respect to such resident positions.
(x) For discharges occurring on or after July 1, 2011, insofar as an additional payment amount under this subparagraph is attributable to resident positions distributed to a hospital under subsection (h)(8)(B), the indirect teaching adjustment factor shall be computed in the same manner as provided under clause (ii) with respect to such resident positions.
(xi)(I) The provisions of subparagraph (K) of subsection (h)(4) shall apply under this subparagraph in the same manner as they apply under such subsection.(II) In determining the hospital’s number of full-time equivalent residents for purposes of this subparagraph, all the time spent by an intern or resident in an approved medical residency training program in non-patient care activities, such as didactic conferences and seminars, as such time and activities are defined by the Secretary, that occurs in the hospital shall be counted toward the determination of full-time equivalency if the hospital—(aa) is recognized as a subsection (d) hospital;(bb) is recognized as a subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospital;(cc) is reimbursed under a reimbursement system authorized under section 1395f(b)(3) of this title; or(dd) is a provider-based hospital outpatient department.(III) In determining the hospital’s number of full-time equivalent residents for purposes of this subparagraph, all the time spent by an intern or resident in an approved medical residency training program in research activities that are not associated with the treatment or diagnosis of a particular patient, as such time and activities are defined by the Secretary, shall not be counted toward the determination of full-time equivalency.
(xii) For discharges occurring on or after July 1, 2023, insofar as an additional payment amount under this subparagraph is attributable to resident positions distributed to a hospital under subsection (h)(9), the indirect teaching adjustment factor shall be computed in the same manner as provided under clause (ii) with respect to such resident positions.
(xiii) For discharges occurring on or after July 1, 2026, insofar as an additional payment amount under this subparagraph is attributable to resident positions distributed to a hospital under subsection (h)(10), the indirect teaching adjustment factor shall be computed in the same manner as provided under clause (ii) with respect to such resident positions.
(C)
(i) The Secretary shall provide for such exceptions and adjustments to the payment amounts established under this subsection (other than under paragraph (9)) as the Secretary deems appropriate to take into account the special needs of regional and national referral centers (including those hospitals of 275 or more beds located in rural areas). A hospital which is classified as a rural hospital may appeal to the Secretary to be classified as a rural referral center under this clause on the basis of criteria (established by the Secretary) which shall allow the hospital to demonstrate that it should be so reclassified by reason of certain of its operating characteristics being similar to those of a typical urban hospital located in the same census region and which shall not require a rural osteopathic hospital to have more than 3,000 discharges in a year in order to be classified as a rural referral center. Such characteristics may include wages, scope of services, service area, and the mix of medical specialties. The Secretary shall publish the criteria not later than
(ii) The Secretary shall provide, under clause (i), for the classification of a rural hospital as a regional referral center if the hospital has a case mix index equal to or greater than the median case mix index for hospitals (other than hospitals with approved teaching programs) located in an urban area in the same region (as defined in paragraph (2)(D)), has at least 5,000 discharges a year or, if less, the median number of discharges in urban hospitals in the region in which the hospital is located (or, in the case of a rural osteopathic hospital, meets the criterion established by the Secretary under clause (i) with respect to the annual number of discharges for such hospitals), and meets any other criteria established by the Secretary under clause (i).
(D)
(i) For any cost reporting period beginning on or after April 1, 1990, with respect to a subsection (d) hospital which is a sole community hospital, payment under paragraph (1)(A) shall be—(I) an amount based on 100 percent of the hospital’s target amount for the cost reporting period, as defined in subsection (b)(3)(C), or(II) the amount determined under paragraph (1)(A)(iii),
whichever results in greater payment to the hospital.
(ii) In the case of a sole community hospital that experiences, in a cost reporting period compared to the previous cost reporting period, a decrease of more than 5 percent in its total number of inpatient cases due to circumstances beyond its control, the Secretary shall provide for such adjustment to the payment amounts under this subsection (other than under paragraph (9)) as may be necessary to fully compensate the hospital for the fixed costs it incurs in the period in providing inpatient hospital services, including the reasonable cost of maintaining necessary core staff and services.
(iii) For purposes of this subchapter, the term “sole community hospital” means any hospital—(I) that the Secretary determines is located more than 35 road miles from another hospital,(II) that, by reason of factors such as the time required for an individual to travel to the nearest alternative source of appropriate inpatient care (in accordance with standards promulgated by the Secretary), location, weather conditions, travel conditions, or absence of other like hospitals (as determined by the Secretary), is the sole source of inpatient hospital services reasonably available to individuals in a geographic area who are entitled to benefits under part A, or(III) that is located in a rural area and designated by the Secretary as an essential access community hospital under section 1395i–4(i)(1) of this title as in effect on September 30, 1997.
(iv) The Secretary shall promulgate a standard for determining whether a hospital meets the criteria for classification as a sole community hospital under clause (iii)(II) because of the time required for an individual to travel to the nearest alternative source of appropriate inpatient care.
(v) If the Secretary determines that, in the case of a hospital located in a rural area and designated by the Secretary as an essential access community hospital under section 1395i–4(i)(1) of this title as in effect on September 30, 1997, the hospital has incurred increases in reasonable costs during a cost reporting period as a result of becoming a member of a rural health network (as defined in section 1395i–4(d) of this title) in the State in which it is located, and in incurring such increases, the hospital will increase its costs for subsequent cost reporting periods, the Secretary shall increase the hospital’s target amount under subsection (b)(3)(C) to account for such incurred increases.
(E)
(i) The Secretary shall estimate the amount of reimbursement made for services described in section 1395y(a)(14) of this title with respect to which payment was made under part B in the base reporting periods referred to in paragraph (2)(A) and with respect to which payment is no longer being made.
(ii) The Secretary shall provide for an adjustment to the payment for subsection (d) hospitals in each fiscal year so as appropriately to reflect the net amount described in clause (i).
(F)
(i) Subject to subsection (r), for discharges occurring on or after May 1, 1986, the Secretary shall provide, in accordance with this subparagraph, for an additional payment amount for each subsection (d) hospital which—(I) serves a significantly disproportionate number of low-income patients (as defined in clause (v)), or(II) is located in an urban area, has 100 or more beds, and can demonstrate that its net inpatient care revenues (excluding any of such revenues attributable to this subchapter or State plans approved under subchapter XIX), during the cost reporting period in which the discharges occur, for indigent care from State and local government sources exceed 30 percent of its total of such net inpatient care revenues during the period.
(ii) Subject to clause (ix), the amount of such payment for each discharge shall be determined by multiplying (I) the sum of the amount determined under paragraph (1)(A)(ii)(II) (or, if applicable, the amount determined under paragraph (1)(A)(iii)) and, for cases qualifying for additional payment under subparagraph (A)(i), the amount paid to the hospital under subparagraph (A) for that discharge, by (II) the disproportionate share adjustment percentage established under clause (iii) or (iv) for the cost reporting period in which the discharge occurs.
(iii) The disproportionate share adjustment percentage for a cost reporting period for a hospital described in clause (i)(II) is equal to 35 percent.
(iv) The disproportionate share adjustment percentage for a cost reporting period for a hospital that is not described in clause (i)(II) and that—(I) is located in an urban area and has 100 or more beds or is described in the second sentence of clause (v), is equal to the percent determined in accordance with the applicable formula described in clause (vii);(II) is located in an urban area and has less than 100 beds, is equal to 5 percent or, subject to clause (xiv) and for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001, is equal to the percent determined in accordance with clause (xiii);(III) is located in a rural area and is not described in subclause (IV) or (V) or in the second sentence of clause (v), is equal to 4 percent or, subject to clause (xiv) and for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001, is equal to the percent determined in accordance with clause (xii);(IV) is located in a rural area, is classified as a rural referral center under subparagraph (C), and is classified as a sole community hospital under subparagraph (D), is equal to 10 percent or, if greater, the percent determined in accordance with the applicable formula described in clause (viii) or, subject to clause (xiv) and for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001, the greater of the percentages determined under clause (x) or (xi);(V) is located in a rural area, is classified as a rural referral center under subparagraph (C), and is not classified as a sole community hospital under subparagraph (D), is equal to the percent determined in accordance with the applicable formula described in clause (viii) or, subject to clause (xiv) and for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001, is equal to the percent determined in accordance with clause (xi); or(VI) is located in a rural area, is classified as a sole community hospital under subparagraph (D), and is not classified as a rural referral center under subparagraph (C), is 10 percent or, subject to clause (xiv) and for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001, is equal to the percent determined in accordance with clause (x).
(v) In this subparagraph, a hospital “serves a significantly disproportionate number of low income patients” for a cost reporting period if the hospital has a disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)) for that period which equals, or exceeds—(I) 15 percent, if the hospital is located in an urban area and has 100 or more beds,(II) 30 percent (or 15 percent, for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001), if the hospital is located in a rural area and has more than 100 beds, or is located in a rural area and is classified as a sole community hospital under subparagraph (D),(III) 40 percent (or 15 percent, for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001), if the hospital is located in an urban area and has less than 100 beds, or(IV) 45 percent (or 15 percent, for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001), if the hospital is located in a rural area and is not described in subclause (II).
A hospital located in a rural area and with 500 or more beds also “serves a significantly disproportionate number of low income patients” for a cost reporting period if the hospital has a disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)) for that period which equals or exceeds a percentage specified by the Secretary.
(vi) In this subparagraph, the term “disproportionate patient percentage” means, with respect to a cost reporting period of a hospital, the sum of—(I) the fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which is the number of such hospital’s patient days for such period which were made up of patients who (for such days) were entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter and were entitled to supplementary security income benefits (excluding any State supplementation) under subchapter XVI of this chapter, and the denominator of which is the number of such hospital’s patient days for such fiscal year which were made up of patients who (for such days) were entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter, and(II) the fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which is the number of the hospital’s patient days for such period which consist of patients who (for such days) were eligible for medical assistance under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX, but who were not entitled to benefits under part A of this subchapter, and the denominator of which is the total number of the hospital’s patient days for such period.
In determining under subclause (II) the number of the hospital’s patient days for such period which consist of patients who (for such days) were eligible for medical assistance under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX, the Secretary may, to the extent and for the period the Secretary determines appropriate, include patient days of patients not so eligible but who are regarded as such because they receive benefits under a demonstration project approved under subchapter XI.
(vii) The formula used to determine the disproportionate share adjustment percentage for a cost reporting period for a hospital described in clause (iv)(I) is—(I) in the case of such a hospital with a disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)) greater than 20.2—(II) in the case of any other such hospital—
(a) for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 1990, and on or before December 31, 1990, (P−20.2)(.65) + 5.62,
(b) for discharges occurring on or after January 1, 1991, and on or before September 30, 1993, (P−20.2)(.7) + 5.62,
(c) for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1993, and on or before September 30, 1994, (P−20.2)(.8) + 5.88, and
(d) for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1994, (P−20.2)(.825) + 5.88; or
(a) for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 1990, and on or before December 31, 1990, (P−15)(.6) + 2.5,
(b) for discharges occurring on or after January 1, 1991, and on or before September 30, 1993, (P−15)(.6) + 2.5,6
6 So in original. Probably should be followed by “and”.
(c) for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1993, (P−15)(.65) + 2.5,
where “P” is the hospital’s disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)).
(viii) Subject to clause (xiv), the formula used to determine the disproportionate share adjustment percentage for a cost reporting period for a hospital described in clause (iv)(IV) or (iv)(V) is the percentage determined in accordance with the following formula: (P−30)(.6) + 4.0, where “P” is the hospital’s disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)).
(ix) In the case of discharges occurring—(I) during fiscal year 1998, the additional payment amount otherwise determined under clause (ii) shall be reduced by 1 percent;(II) during fiscal year 1999, such additional payment amount shall be reduced by 2 percent;(III) during fiscal years 2000 and 2001, such additional payment amount shall be reduced by 3 percent and 2 percent, respectively;(IV) during fiscal year 2002, such additional payment amount shall be reduced by 3 percent; and(V) during fiscal year 2003 and each subsequent fiscal year, such additional payment amount shall be reduced by 0 percent.
(x) Subject to clause (xiv), for purposes of clause (iv)(VI) (relating to sole community hospitals), in the case of a hospital for a cost reporting period with a disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)) that—(I) is less than 19.3, the disproportionate share adjustment percentage is determined in accordance with the following formula: (P−15)(.65) + 2.5;(II) is equal to or exceeds 19.3, but is less than 30.0, such adjustment percentage is equal to 5.25 percent; or(III) is equal to or exceeds 30, such adjustment percentage is equal to 10 percent,
where “P” is the hospital’s disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)).
(xi) Subject to clause (xiv), for purposes of clause (iv)(V) (relating to rural referral centers), in the case of a hospital for a cost reporting period with a disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)) that—(I) is less than 19.3, the disproportionate share adjustment percentage is determined in accordance with the following formula: (P−15)(.65) + 2.5;(II) is equal to or exceeds 19.3, but is less than 30.0, such adjustment percentage is equal to 5.25 percent; or(III) is equal to or exceeds 30, such adjustment percentage is determined in accordance with the following formula: (P−30)(.6) + 5.25,
where “P” is the hospital’s disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)).
(xii) Subject to clause (xiv), for purposes of clause (iv)(III) (relating to small rural hospitals generally), in the case of a hospital for a cost reporting period with a disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)) that—(I) is less than 19.3, the disproportionate share adjustment percentage is determined in accordance with the following formula: (P−15)(.65) + 2.5; or(II) is equal to or exceeds 19.3, such adjustment percentage is equal to 5.25 percent,
where “P” is the hospital’s disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)).
(xiii) Subject to clause (xiv), for purposes of clause (iv)(II) (relating to urban hospitals with less than 100 beds), in the case of a hospital for a cost reporting period with a disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)) that—(I) is less than 19.3, the disproportionate share adjustment percentage is determined in accordance with the following formula: (P−15)(.65) + 2.5; or(II) is equal to or exceeds 19.3, such adjustment percentage is equal to 5.25 percent,
where “P” is the hospital’s disproportionate patient percentage (as defined in clause (vi)).
(xiv)(I) In the case of discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2004, subject to subclause (II), there shall be substituted for the disproportionate share adjustment percentage otherwise determined under clause (iv) (other than subclause (I)) or under clause (viii), (x), (xi), (xii), or (xiii), the disproportionate share adjustment percentage determined under clause (vii) (relating to large, urban hospitals).(II) Under subclause (I), the disproportionate share adjustment percentage shall not exceed 12 percent for a hospital that is not classified as a rural referral center under subparagraph (C) or, in the case of discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2006, as a medicare-dependent, small rural hospital under subparagraph (G)(iv).
(G)
(i) For any cost reporting period beginning on or after April 1, 1990, and before October 1, 1994, or discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1997, and before January 1, 2027, in the case of a subsection (d) hospital which is a medicare-dependent, small rural hospital, payment under paragraph (1)(A) shall be equal to the sum of the amount determined under clause (ii) and the amount determined under paragraph (1)(A)(iii).
(ii) The amount determined under this clause is—(I) for discharges occurring during the 36-month period beginning with the first day of the cost reporting period that begins on or after April 1, 1990, the amount by which the hospital’s target amount for the cost reporting period (as defined in subsection (b)(3)(D)) exceeds the amount determined under paragraph (1)(A)(iii); and(II) for discharges occurring during any subsequent cost reporting period (or portion thereof) and before October 1, 1994, or discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1997, and before January 1, 2027, 50 percent (or 75 percent in the case of discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2006) of the amount by which the hospital’s target amount for the cost reporting period or for discharges in the fiscal year (as defined in subsection (b)(3)(D)) exceeds the amount determined under paragraph (1)(A)(iii).
(iii) In the case of a medicare dependent, small rural hospital that experiences, in a cost reporting period compared to the previous cost reporting period, a decrease of more than 5 percent in its total number of inpatient cases due to circumstances beyond its control, the Secretary shall provide for such adjustment to the payment amounts under this subsection (other than under paragraph (9)) as may be necessary to fully compensate the hospital for the fixed costs it incurs in the period in providing inpatient hospital services, including the reasonable cost of maintaining necessary core staff and services.
(iv) The term “medicare-dependent, small rural hospital” means, with respect to any cost reporting period to which clause (i) applies, any hospital—(I) that is located in—(aa) a rural area; or(bb) a State with no rural area (as defined in paragraph (2)(D)) and satisfies any of the criteria in subclause (I), (II), or (III) of paragraph (8)(E)(ii),(II) that has not more than 100 beds,(III) that is not classified as a sole community hospital under subparagraph (D), and(IV) for which not less than 60 percent of its inpatient days or discharges during the cost reporting period beginning in fiscal year 1987, or two of the three most recently audited cost reporting periods for which the Secretary has a settled cost report, were attributable to inpatients entitled to benefits under part A.
Subclause (I)(bb) shall apply for purposes of payment under clause (ii) only for discharges of a hospital occurring on or after the effective date of a determination of medicare-dependent small rural hospital status made by the Secretary with respect to the hospital after February 9, 2018. For purposes of applying subclause (II) of paragraph (8)(E)(ii) under subclause (I)(bb), such subclause (II) shall be applied by inserting “as of January 1, 2018,” after “such State” each place it appears.
(H) The Secretary may provide for such adjustments to the payment amounts under this subsection as the Secretary deems appropriate to take into account the unique circumstances of hospitals located in Alaska and Hawaii.
(I)
(i) The Secretary shall provide by regulation for such other exceptions and adjustments to such payment amounts under this subsection as the Secretary deems appropriate.
(ii) In making adjustments under clause (i) for transfer cases (as defined by the Secretary) in a fiscal year, not taking in account the effect of subparagraph (J), the Secretary may make adjustments to each of the average standardized amounts determined under paragraph (3) to assure that the aggregate payments made under this subsection for such fiscal year are not greater or lesser than those that would have otherwise been made in such fiscal year.
(J)
(i) The Secretary shall treat the term “transfer case” (as defined in subparagraph (I)(ii)) as including the case of a qualified discharge (as defined in clause (ii)), which is classified within a diagnosis-related group described in clause (iii), and which occurs on or after October 1, 1998. In the case of a qualified discharge for which a substantial portion of the costs of care are incurred in the early days of the inpatient stay (as defined by the Secretary), in no case may the payment amount otherwise provided under this subsection exceed an amount equal to the sum of—(I) 50 percent of the amount of payment under this subsection for transfer cases (as established under subparagraph (I)(i)), and(II) 50 percent of the amount of payment which would have been made under this subsection with respect to the qualified discharge if no transfer were involved.
(ii) For purposes of clause (i), subject to clause (iii), the term “qualified discharge” means a discharge classified with a diagnosis-related group (described in clause (iii)) of an individual from a subsection (d) hospital, if upon such discharge the individual—(I) is admitted as an inpatient to a hospital or hospital unit that is not a subsection (d) hospital for the provision of inpatient hospital services;(II) is admitted to a skilled nursing facility;(III) is provided home health services from a home health agency, if such services relate to the condition or diagnosis for which such individual received inpatient hospital services from the subsection (d) hospital, and if such services are provided within an appropriate period (as determined by the Secretary);(IV) for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2018, is provided hospice care by a hospice program; or(V) for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2000, the individual receives post discharge services described in clause (iv)(I).
(iii) Subject to clause (iv), a diagnosis-related group described in this clause is—(I) 1 of 10 diagnosis-related groups selected by the Secretary based upon a high volume of discharges classified within such groups and a disproportionate use of post discharge services described in clause (ii); and(II) a diagnosis-related group specified by the Secretary under clause (iv)(II).
(iv) The Secretary shall include in the proposed rule published under subsection (e)(5)(A) for fiscal year 2001, a description of the effect of this subparagraph. The Secretary shall include in the proposed rule published for fiscal year 2019, a description of the effect of clause (ii)(IV). The Secretary may include in the proposed rule (and in the final rule published under paragraph (6)) for fiscal year 2001 or a subsequent fiscal year, a description of—(I) post-discharge services not described in subclauses (I), (II), (III), and, in the case of proposed and final rules for fiscal year 2019 and subsequent fiscal years, (IV) of clause (ii), the receipt of which results in a qualified discharge; and(II) diagnosis-related groups described in clause (iii)(I) in addition to the 10 selected under such clause.
(K)
(i) Effective for discharges beginning on or after October 1, 2001, the Secretary shall establish a mechanism to recognize the costs of new medical services and technologies under the payment system established under this subsection. Such mechanism shall be established after notice and opportunity for public comment (in the publications required by subsection (e)(5) for a fiscal year or otherwise). Such mechanism shall be modified to meet the requirements of clause (viii).
(ii) The mechanism established pursuant to clause (i) shall—(I) apply to a new medical service or technology if, based on the estimated costs incurred with respect to discharges involving such service or technology, the DRG prospective payment rate otherwise applicable to such discharges under this subsection is inadequate (applying a threshold specified by the Secretary that is the lesser of 75 percent of the standardized amount (increased to reflect the difference between cost and charges) or 75 percent of one standard deviation for the diagnosis-related group involved);(II) provide for the collection of data with respect to the costs of a new medical service or technology described in subclause (I) for a period of not less than two years and not more than three years beginning on the date on which an inpatient hospital code is issued with respect to the service or technology;(III) provide for additional payment to be made under this subsection with respect to discharges involving a new medical service or technology described in subclause (I) that occur during the period described in subclause (II) in an amount that adequately reflects the estimated average cost of such service or technology; and(IV) provide that discharges involving such a service or technology that occur after the close of the period described in subclause (II) will be classified within a new or existing diagnosis-related group with a weighting factor under paragraph (4)(B) that is derived from cost data collected with respect to discharges occurring during such period.
(iii) For purposes of clause (ii)(II), the term “inpatient hospital code” means any code that is used with respect to inpatient hospital services for which payment may be made under this subsection and includes an alphanumeric code issued under the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (“ICD–9–CM”) and its subsequent revisions.
(iv) For purposes of clause (ii)(III), the term “additional payment” means, with respect to a discharge for a new medical service or technology described in clause (ii)(I), an amount that exceeds the prospective payment rate otherwise applicable under this subsection to discharges involving such service or technology that would be made but for this subparagraph.
(v) The requirement under clause (ii)(III) for an additional payment may be satisfied by means of a new-technology group (described in subparagraph (L)), an add-on payment, a payment adjustment, or any other similar mechanism for increasing the amount otherwise payable with respect to a discharge under this subsection. The Secretary may not establish a separate fee schedule for such additional payment for such services and technologies, by utilizing a methodology established under subsection (a) or (h) of section 1395m of this title to determine the amount of such additional payment, or by other similar mechanisms or methodologies.
(vi) For purposes of this subparagraph and subparagraph (L), a medical service or technology will be considered a “new medical service or technology” if the service or technology meets criteria established by the Secretary after notice and an opportunity for public comment.
(vii) Under the mechanism under this subparagraph, the Secretary shall provide for the addition of new diagnosis and procedure codes in April 1 of each year, but the addition of such codes shall not require the Secretary to adjust the payment (or diagnosis-related group classification) under this subsection until the fiscal year that begins after such date.
(viii) The mechanism established pursuant to clause (i) shall be adjusted to provide, before publication of a proposed rule, for public input regarding whether a new service or technology represents an advance in medical technology that substantially improves the diagnosis or treatment of individuals entitled to benefits under part A as follows:(I) The Secretary shall make public and periodically update a list of all the services and technologies for which an application for additional payment under this subparagraph is pending.(II) The Secretary shall accept comments, recommendations, and data from the public regarding whether the service or technology represents a substantial improvement.(III) The Secretary shall provide for a meeting at which organizations representing hospitals, physicians, such individuals, manufacturers, and any other interested party may present comments, recommendations, and data to the clinical staff of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services before publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding whether service or technology represents a substantial improvement.
(ix) Before establishing any add-on payment under this subparagraph with respect to a new technology, the Secretary shall seek to identify one or more diagnosis-related groups associated with such technology, based on similar clinical or anatomical characteristics and the cost of the technology. Within such groups the Secretary shall assign an eligible new technology into a diagnosis-related group where the average costs of care most closely approximate the costs of care of using the new technology. No add-on payment under this subparagraph shall be made with respect to such new technology and this clause shall not affect the application of paragraph (4)(C)(iii).
(L)
(i) In establishing the mechanism under subparagraph (K), the Secretary may establish new-technology groups into which a new medical service or technology will be classified if, based on the estimated average costs incurred with respect to discharges involving such service or technology, the DRG prospective payment rate otherwise applicable to such discharges under this subsection is inadequate.
(ii) Such groups—(I) shall not be based on the costs associated with a specific new medical service or technology; but(II) shall, in combination with the applicable standardized amounts and the weighting factors assigned to such groups under paragraph (4)(B), reflect such cost cohorts as the Secretary determines are appropriate for all new medical services and technologies that are likely to be provided as inpatient hospital services in a fiscal year.
(iii) The methodology for classifying specific hospital discharges within a diagnosis-related group under paragraph (4)(A) or a new-technology group shall provide that a specific hospital discharge may not be classified within both a diagnosis-related group and a new-technology group.
(M)
(i) For cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2020, in the case of a subsection (d) hospital that furnishes an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant to an individual during such a period, payment to such hospital for hematopoietic stem cell acquisition shall be made on a reasonable cost basis. The items included in such hematopoietic stem cell acquisition shall be specified by the Secretary through rulemaking.
(ii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant” means, with respect to an individual, the intravenous infusion of hematopoietic cells derived from bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cells, or cord blood, but not including embryonic stem cells, of a donor to an individual that are or may be used to restore hematopoietic function in such individual having an inherited or acquired deficiency or defect.
(6) The Secretary shall provide for publication in the Federal Register, on or before the August 1 before each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1984), of a description of the methodology and data used in computing the adjusted DRG prospective payment rates under this subsection, including any adjustments required under subsection (e)(1)(B).
(7) There shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1395oo of this title or otherwise of—
(A) the determination of the requirement, or the proportional amount, of any adjustment effected pursuant to subsection (e)(1) or the determination of the applicable percentage increase under paragraph (12)(A)(ii),
(B) the establishment of diagnosis-related groups, of the methodology for the classification of discharges within such groups, and of the appropriate weighting factors thereof under paragraph (4), including the selection and revision of codes under paragraph (4)(D), and
(C) the determination of whether services provided prior to a patient’s inpatient admission are related to the admission (as described in subsection (a)(4)).
(8)
(A) In the case of any hospital which is located in an area which is, at any time after April 20, 1983, reclassified from an urban to a rural area, payments to such hospital for the first two cost reporting periods for which such reclassification is effective shall be made as follows:
(i) For the first such cost reporting period, payment shall be equal to the amount payable to such hospital for such reporting period on the basis of the rural classification, plus an amount equal to two-thirds of the amount (if any) by which—(I) the amount which would have been payable to such hospital for such reporting period on the basis of an urban classification, exceeds(II) the amount payable to such hospital for such reporting period on the basis of the rural classification.
(ii) For the second such cost reporting period, payment shall be equal to the amount payable to such hospital for such reporting period on the basis of the rural classification, plus an amount equal to one-third of the amount (if any) by which—(I) the amount which would have been payable to such hospital for such reporting period on the basis of an urban classification, exceeds(II) the amount payable to such hospital for such reporting period on the basis of the rural classification.
(B)
(i) For purposes of this subsection, the Secretary shall treat a hospital located in a rural county adjacent to one or more urban areas as being located in the urban metropolitan statistical area to which the greatest number of workers in the county commute, if the rural county would otherwise be considered part of an urban area, under the standards for designating Metropolitan Statistical Areas (and for designating New England County Metropolitan Areas) described in clause (ii), if the commuting rates used in determining outlying counties (or, for New England, similar recognized areas) were determined on the basis of the aggregate number of resident workers who commute to (and, if applicable under the standards, from) the central county or counties of all contiguous Metropolitan Statistical Areas (or New England County Metropolitan Areas).
(ii) The standards described in this clause for cost reporting periods beginning in a fiscal year—(I) before fiscal year 2003, are the standards published in the Federal Register on January 3, 1980, or, at the election of the hospital with respect to fiscal years 2001 and 2002, standards so published on March 30, 1990; and(II) after fiscal year 2002, are the standards published in the Federal Register by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget based on the most recent available decennial population data.
Subparagraphs (C) and (D) shall not apply with respect to the application of subclause (I).
(C)
(i) If the application of subparagraph (B) or a decision of the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board or the Secretary under paragraph (10), by treating hospitals located in a rural county or counties as being located in an urban area, or by treating hospitals located in one urban area as being located in another urban area—(I) reduces the wage index for that urban area (as applied under this subsection) by 1 percentage point or less, the Secretary, in calculating such wage index under this subsection, shall exclude those hospitals so treated, or(II) reduces the wage index for that urban area by more than 1 percentage point (as applied under this subsection), the Secretary shall calculate and apply such wage index under this subsection separately to hospitals located in such urban area (excluding all the hospitals so treated) and to the hospitals so treated (as if such hospitals were located in such urban area).
(ii) If the application of subparagraph (B) or a decision of the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board or the Secretary under paragraph (10), by treating hospitals located in a rural county or counties as not being located in the rural area in a State, reduces the wage index for that rural area (as applied under this subsection), the Secretary shall calculate and apply such wage index under this subsection as if the hospitals so treated had not been excluded from calculation of the wage index for that rural area.
(iii) The application of subparagraph (B) or a decision of the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board or the Secretary under paragraph (10) may not result in the reduction of any county’s wage index to a level below the wage index for rural areas in the State in which the county is located.
(iv) The application of subparagraph (B) or a decision of the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board or of the Secretary under paragraph (10) may not result in a reduction in an urban area’s wage index if—(I) the urban area has a wage index below the wage index for rural areas in the State in which it is located; or(II) the urban area is located in a State that is composed of a single urban area.
(v) This subparagraph shall apply with respect to discharges occurring in a fiscal year only if the Secretary uses a method for making adjustments to the DRG prospective payment rate for area differences in hospital wage levels under paragraph (3)(E) for the fiscal year that is based on the use of Metropolitan Statistical Area classifications.
(D) The Secretary shall make a proportional adjustment in the standardized amounts determined under paragraph (3) to assure that the provisions of subparagraphs (B) and (C) or a decision of the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board or the Secretary under paragraph (10) do not result in aggregate payments under this section that are greater or less than those that would otherwise be made.
(E)
(i) For purposes of this subsection, not later than 60 days after the receipt of an application (in a form and manner determined by the Secretary) from a subsection (d) hospital described in clause (ii), the Secretary shall treat the hospital as being located in the rural area (as defined in paragraph (2)(D)) of the State in which the hospital is located.
(ii) For purposes of clause (i), a subsection (d) hospital described in this clause is a subsection (d) hospital that is located in an urban area (as defined in paragraph (2)(D)) and satisfies any of the following criteria:(I) The hospital is located in a rural census tract of a metropolitan statistical area (as determined under the most recent modification of the Goldsmith Modification, originally published in the Federal Register on February 27, 1992 (57 Fed. Reg. 6725)).(II) The hospital is located in an area designated by any law or regulation of such State as a rural area (or is designated by such State as a rural hospital).(III) The hospital would qualify as a rural, regional, or national referral center under paragraph (5)(C) or as a sole community hospital under paragraph (5)(D) if the hospital were located in a rural area.(IV) The hospital meets such other criteria as the Secretary may specify.
(9)
(A) Notwithstanding section 1395f(b) of this title but subject to the provisions of section 1395e of this title, the amount of the payment with respect to the operating costs of inpatient hospital services of a subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospital for inpatient hospital discharges is equal to the sum of—
(i) the applicable Puerto Rico percentage (specified in subparagraph (E)) of the Puerto Rico adjusted DRG prospective payment rate (determined under subparagraph (B) or (C)) for such discharges,
(ii) the applicable Federal percentage (specified in subparagraph (E)) of—(I) for discharges beginning in a fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 1997, and before October 1, 2003, the discharge-weighted average of—(aa) the national adjusted DRG prospective payment rate (determined under paragraph (3)(D)) for hospitals located in a large urban area,(bb) such rate for hospitals located in other urban areas, and(cc) such rate for hospitals located in a rural area,(II) for discharges in a fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 2003, the national DRG prospective payment rate determined under paragraph (3)(D)(iii) for hospitals located in any area for such discharges, adjusted in the manner provided in paragraph (3)(E) for different area wage levels.
for such discharges, adjusted in the manner provided in paragraph (3)(E) for different area wage levels; and
As used in this section, the term “subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospital” means a hospital that is located in Puerto Rico and that would be a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in paragraph (1)(B)) if it were located in one of the 50 States.
(B) The Secretary shall determine a Puerto Rico adjusted DRG prospective payment rate, for each inpatient hospital discharge in fiscal year 1988 involving inpatient hospital services of a subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospital for which payment may be made under part A of this subchapter. Such rate shall be determined for such hospitals located in urban or rural areas within Puerto Rico, as follows:
(i) The Secretary shall determine the target amount (as defined in subsection (b)(3)(A)) for the hospital for the cost reporting period beginning in fiscal year 1987 and increase such amount by prorating the applicable percentage increase (as defined in subsection (b)(3)(B)) to update the amount to the midpoint in fiscal year 1988.
(ii) The Secretary shall standardize the amount determined under clause (i) for each hospital by—(I) excluding an estimate of indirect medical education costs,(II) adjusting for variations among hospitals by area in the average hospital wage level,(III) adjusting for variations in case mix among hospitals, and(IV) excluding an estimate of the additional payments to certain subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospitals to be made under subparagraph (D)(iii) (relating to disproportionate share payments).
(iii) The Secretary shall compute a discharge weighted average of the standardized amounts determined under clause (ii) for all hospitals located in an urban area and for all hospitals located in a rural area (as such terms are defined in paragraph (2)(D)).
(iv) The Secretary shall reduce the average standardized amount by a proportion equal to the proportion (estimated by the Secretary) of the amount of payments under this paragraph which are additional payments described in subparagraph (D)(i) (relating to outlier payments).
(v) For each discharge classified within a diagnosis-related group for hospitals located in an urban or rural area, respectively, the Secretary shall establish a Puerto Rico DRG prospective payment rate equal to the product of—(I) the average standardized amount (computed under clause (iii) and reduced under clause (iv)) for hospitals located in an urban or rural area, respectively, and(II) the weighting factor (determined under paragraph (4)(B)) for that diagnosis-related group.
(vi) The Secretary shall adjust the proportion (as estimated by the Secretary from time to time) of hospitals’ costs which are attributable to wages and wage-related costs, of the Puerto Rico DRG prospective payment rate computed under clause (v) for area differences in hospital wage levels by a factor (established by the Secretary) reflecting the relative hospital wage level in the geographic area of the hospital compared to the Puerto Rican average hospital wage level.
(C) The Secretary shall determine a Puerto Rico adjusted DRG prospective payment rate, for each inpatient hospital discharge after fiscal year 1988 involving inpatient hospital services of a subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospital for which payment may be made under part A of this subchapter. Such rate shall be determined for hospitals located in urban or rural areas within Puerto Rico as follows:
(i)(I) For discharges in a fiscal year after fiscal year 1988 and before fiscal year 2004, the Secretary shall compute an average standardized amount for hospitals located in an urban area and for hospitals located in a rural area equal to the respective average standardized amount computed for the previous fiscal year under subparagraph (B)(iii) or under this clause, increased for fiscal year 1989 by the applicable percentage increase under subsection (b)(3)(B), and adjusted for subsequent fiscal years in accordance with the final determination of the Secretary under subsection (e)(4), and adjusted to reflect the most recent case-mix data available.(II) For discharges occurring in a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2004), the Secretary shall compute an average standardized amount for hospitals located in any area of Puerto Rico that is equal to the average standardized amount computed under subclause (I) for fiscal year 2003 for hospitals in a large urban area (or, beginning with fiscal year 2005, for all hospitals in the previous fiscal year) increased by the applicable percentage increase under subsection (b)(3)(B) for the fiscal year involved.
(ii) The Secretary shall reduce each of the average standardized amounts (or for fiscal year 2004 and thereafter, the average standardized amount) by a proportion equal to the proportion (estimated by the Secretary) of the amount of payments under this paragraph which are additional payments described in subparagraph (D)(i) (relating to outlier payments).
(iii) For each discharge classified within a diagnosis-related group for hospitals located in an urban or rural area, respectively, the Secretary shall establish a Puerto Rico DRG prospective payment rate equal to the product of—(I) the average standardized amount (computed under clause (i) and reduced under clause (ii)), and(II) the weighting factor (determined under paragraph (4)(B)) for that diagnosis-related group.
(iv)(I) The Secretary shall adjust the proportion (as estimated by the Secretary from time to time) of hospitals’ costs which are attributable to wages and wage-related costs, of the Puerto Rico DRG prospective payment rate computed under clause (iii) for area differences in hospital wage levels by a factor (established by the Secretary) reflecting the relative hospital wage level in the geographic area of the hospital compared to the Puerto Rico average hospital wage level. The second and third sentences of paragraph (3)(E)(i) shall apply to subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospitals under this clause in the same manner as they apply to subsection (d) hospitals under such paragraph and, for purposes of this clause, any reference in such paragraph to a subsection (d) hospital is deemed a reference to a subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospital.(II) For discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2004, the Secretary shall substitute “62 percent” for the proportion described in the first sentence of clause (i), unless the application of this subclause would result in lower payments to a hospital than would otherwise be made.
(D) The following provisions of paragraph (5) shall apply to subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospitals receiving payment under this paragraph in the same manner and to the extent as they apply to subsection (d) hospitals receiving payment under this subsection:
(i) Subparagraph (A) (relating to outlier payments).
(ii) Subparagraph (B) (relating to payments for indirect medical education costs), except that for this purpose the sum of the amount determined under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and the amount paid to the hospital under clause (i) of this subparagraph shall be substituted for the sum referred to in paragraph (5)(B)(i)(I).
(iii) Subparagraph (F) (relating to disproportionate share payments), except that for this purpose the sum described in clause (ii) of this subparagraph shall be substituted for the sum referred to in paragraph (5)(F)(ii)(I).
(iv) Subparagraph (H) (relating to exceptions and adjustments).
(E) For purposes of subparagraph (A), for discharges occurring—
(i) on or after October 1, 1987, and before October 1, 1997, the applicable Puerto Rico percentage is 75 percent and the applicable Federal percentage is 25 percent;
(ii) on or after October 1, 1997, and before April 1, 2004, the applicable Puerto Rico percentage is 50 percent and the applicable Federal percentage is 50 percent;
(iii) on or after April 1, 2004, and before October 1, 2004, the applicable Puerto Rico percentage is 37.5 percent and the applicable Federal percentage is 62.5 percent;
(iv) on or after October 1, 2004, and before January 1, 2016, the applicable Puerto Rico percentage is 25 percent and the applicable Federal percentage is 75 percent; and
(v) on or after January 1, 2016, the applicable Puerto Rico percentage is 0 percent and the applicable Federal percentage is 100 percent.
(10)
(A) There is hereby established the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board (hereinafter in this paragraph referred to as the “Board”).
(B)
(i) The Board shall be composed of 5 members appointed by the Secretary without regard to the provisions of title 5, governing appointments in the competitive service. Two of such members shall be representative of subsection (d) hospitals located in a rural area under paragraph (2)(D). At least 1 member shall be knowledgeable in the field of analyzing costs with respect to the provision of inpatient hospital services.
(ii) The Secretary shall make initial appointments to the Board as provided in this paragraph within 180 days after December 19, 1989.
(C)
(i) The Board shall consider the application of any subsection (d) hospital requesting that the Secretary change the hospital’s geographic classification for purposes of determining for a fiscal year—(I) the hospital’s average standardized amount under paragraph (2)(D), or(II) the factor used to adjust the DRG prospective payment rate for area differences in hospital wage levels that applies to such hospital under paragraph (3)(E).
(ii) A hospital requesting a change in geographic classification under clause (i) for a fiscal year shall submit its application to the Board not later than the first day of the 13-month period ending on September 30 of the preceding fiscal year.
(iii)(I) The Board shall render a decision on an application submitted under clause (i) not later than 180 days after the deadline referred to in clause (ii).(II) Appeal of decisions of the Board shall be subject to the provisions of section 557b 7
7 So in original. Probably should be section “557(b)”.
of title 5. The Secretary shall issue a decision on such an appeal not later than 90 days after the date on which the appeal is filed. The decision of the Secretary shall be final and shall not be subject to judicial review.
(D)
(i) The Secretary shall publish guidelines to be utilized by the Board in rendering decisions on applications submitted under this paragraph, and shall include in such guidelines the following:(I) Guidelines for comparing wages, taking into account (to the extent the Secretary determines appropriate) occupational mix, in the area in which the hospital is classified and the area in which the hospital is applying to be classified.(II) Guidelines for determining whether the county in which the hospital is located should be treated as being a part of a particular Metropolitan Statistical Area.(III) Guidelines for considering information provided by an applicant with respect to the effects of the hospital’s geographic classification on access to inpatient hospital services by medicare beneficiaries.(IV) Guidelines for considering the appropriateness of the criteria used to define New England County Metropolitan Areas.
(ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), if the Secretary uses a method for making adjustments to the DRG prospective payment rate for area differences in hospital wage levels under paragraph (3)(E) that is not based on the use of Metropolitan Statistical Area classifications, the Secretary may revise the guidelines published under clause (i) to the extent such guidelines are used to determine the appropriateness of the geographic area in which the hospital is determined to be located for purposes of making such adjustments.
(iii) Under the guidelines published by the Secretary under clause (i), in the case of a hospital which has ever been classified by the Secretary as a rural referral center under paragraph (5)(C), the Board may not reject the application of the hospital under this paragraph on the basis of any comparison between the average hourly wage of the hospital and the average hourly wage of hospitals in the area in which it is located.
(iv) The Secretary shall publish the guidelines described in clause (i) by July 1, 1990.
(v) Any decision of the Board to reclassify a subsection (d) hospital for purposes of the adjustment factor described in subparagraph (C)(i)(II) for fiscal year 2001 or any fiscal year thereafter shall be effective for a period of 3 fiscal years, except that the Secretary shall establish procedures under which a subsection (d) hospital may elect to terminate such reclassification before the end of such period.
(vi) Such guidelines shall provide that, in making decisions on applications for reclassification for the purposes described in clause (v) for fiscal year 2003 and any succeeding fiscal year, the Board shall base any comparison of the average hourly wage for the hospital with the average hourly wage for hospitals in an area on—(I) an average of the average hourly wage amount for the hospital from the most recently published hospital wage survey data of the Secretary (as of the date on which the hospital applies for reclassification) and such amount from each of the two immediately preceding surveys; and(II) an average of the average hourly wage amount for hospitals in such area from the most recently published hospital wage survey data of the Secretary (as of the date on which the hospital applies for reclassification) and such amount from each of the two immediately preceding surveys.
(E)
(i) The Board shall have full power and authority to make rules and establish procedures, not inconsistent with the provisions of this subchapter or regulations of the Secretary, which are necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this paragraph. In the course of any hearing the Board may administer oaths and affirmations. The provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of section 405 of this title with respect to subpenas shall apply to the Board to the same extent as such provisions apply to the Secretary with respect to subchapter II.
(ii) The Board is authorized to engage such technical assistance and to receive such information as may be required to carry out its functions, and the Secretary shall, in addition, make available to the Board such secretarial, clerical, and other assistance as the Board may require to carry out its functions.
(F)
(i) Each member of the Board who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for grade GS–18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5 for each day (including travel time) during which such member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Board. Each member of the Board who is an officer or employee of the United States shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for service as an officer or employee of the United States.
(ii) Members of the Board shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Board.
(11)Additional payments for managed care enrollees.—
(A)In general.—For portions of cost reporting periods occurring on or after January 1, 1998, the Secretary shall provide for an additional payment amount for each applicable discharge of any subsection (d) hospital that has an approved medical residency training program.
(B)Applicable discharge.—For purposes of this paragraph, the term “applicable discharge” means the discharge of any individual who is enrolled under a risk-sharing contract with an eligible organization under section 1395mm of this title and who is entitled to benefits under part A or any individual who is enrolled with a Medicare+ÐChoice organization under part C.
(C)Determination of amount.—The amount of the payment under this paragraph with respect to any applicable discharge shall be equal to the applicable percentage (as defined in subsection (h)(3)(D)(ii)) of the estimated average per discharge amount that would otherwise have been paid under paragraph (5)(B) if the individuals had not been enrolled as described in subparagraph (B).
(D)Special rule for hospitals under reimbursement system.—The Secretary shall establish rules for the application of this paragraph to a hospital reimbursed under a reimbursement system authorized under section 1395f(b)(3) of this title in the same manner as it would apply to the hospital if it were not reimbursed under such section.
(12)Payment adjustment for low-volume hospitals.—
(A)In general.—In addition to any payments calculated under this section for a subsection (d) hospital, for discharges occurring during a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2005), the Secretary shall provide for an additional payment amount to each low-volume hospital (as defined in subparagraph (C)(i)) for discharges occurring during that fiscal year that is equal to the applicable percentage increase (determined under subparagraph (B) or (D) for the hospital involved) in the amount paid to such hospital under this section for such discharges (determined without regard to this paragraph).
(B)Applicable percentage increase.—For discharges occurring in fiscal years 2005 through 2010 and for discharges occurring during the portion of fiscal year 2027 beginning on January 1, 2027, and ending on September 30, 2027, and in fiscal year 2028 and subsequent fiscal years, the Secretary shall determine an applicable percentage increase for purposes of subparagraph (A) as follows:
(i) The Secretary shall determine the empirical relationship for subsection (d) hospitals between the standardized cost-per-case for such hospitals and the total number of discharges of such hospitals and the amount of the additional incremental costs (if any) that are associated with such number of discharges.
(ii) The applicable percentage increase shall be determined based upon such relationship in a manner that reflects, based upon the number of such discharges for a subsection (d) hospital, such additional incremental costs.
(iii) In no case shall the applicable percentage increase exceed 25 percent.
(C)Definitions.—
(i)Low-volume hospital.—For purposes of this paragraph, the term “low-volume hospital” means, for a fiscal year or portion of a fiscal year, a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in paragraph (1)(B)) that the Secretary determines is located more than 25 road miles (or, with respect to fiscal years 2011 through 2026 and the portion of fiscal year 2027 beginning on October 1, 2026, and ending on December 31, 2026, 15 road miles) from another subsection (d) hospital and has—(I) with respect to each of fiscal years 2005 through 2010, less than 800 discharges during the fiscal year;(II) with respect to each of fiscal years 2011 through 2018, less than 1,600 discharges of individuals entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A during the fiscal year or portion of fiscal year;(III) with respect to each of fiscal years 2019 through 2026 and the portion of fiscal year 2027 beginning on October 1, 2026, and ending on December 31, 2026, less than 3,800 discharges during the fiscal year; and(IV) with respect to the portion of fiscal year 2027 beginning on January 1, 2027, and ending on September 30, 2027, and fiscal year 2028 and each subsequent fiscal year, less than 800 discharges during the fiscal year.
(ii)Discharge.—For purposes of subparagraphs (B) and (D) and clause (i), the term “discharge” means an inpatient acute care discharge of an individual regardless (except as provided in clause (i)(II) and subparagraph (D)(i)) of whether the individual is entitled to benefits under part A.
(iii)Treatment of indian health service and non-indian health service facilities.—For purposes of determining whether—(I) a subsection (d) hospital of the Indian Health Service (whether operated by such Service or by an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as those terms are defined in section 1603 of title 25)), or(II) a subsection (d) hospital other than a hospital of the Indian Health Service meets the mileage criterion under clause (i) with respect to fiscal year 2011 or a succeeding fiscal year, the Secretary shall apply the policy described in the regulation at part 8
8 So in original. Probably should be “section”.
412.101(e) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on March 23, 2018).
(D)Temporary applicable percentage increase.—For discharges occurring in fiscal years 2011 through 2026 or during the portion of fiscal year 2027 beginning on October 1, 2026, and ending on December 31, 2026, the Secretary shall determine an applicable percentage increase for purposes of subparagraph (A) using a continuous linear sliding scale ranging from 25 percent for low-volume hospitals—
(i) with respect to each of fiscal years 2011 through 2018, with 200 or fewer discharges of individuals entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A in the fiscal year or the portion of fiscal year to 0 percent for low-volume hospitals with greater than 1,600 discharges of such individuals in the fiscal year or the portion of fiscal year or portion of fiscal year; 9
9 So in original.
and
(ii) with respect to each of fiscal years 2019 through 2026 and the portion of fiscal year 2027 beginning on October 1, 2026, and ending on December 31, 2026, with 500 or fewer discharges in the fiscal year to 0 percent for low-volume hospitals with greater than 3,800 discharges in the fiscal year.
(13)
(A) In order to recognize commuting patterns among geographic areas, the Secretary shall establish a process through application or otherwise for an increase of the wage index applied under paragraph (3)(E) for subsection (d) hospitals located in a qualifying county described in subparagraph (B) in the amount computed under subparagraph (D) based on out-migration of hospital employees who reside in that county to any higher wage index area.
(B) The Secretary shall establish criteria for a qualifying county under this subparagraph based on the out-migration referred to in subparagraph (A) and differences in the area wage indices. Under such criteria the Secretary shall, utilizing such data as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, establish—
(i) a threshold percentage, established by the Secretary, of the weighted average of the area wage index or indices for the higher wage index areas involved;
(ii) a threshold (of not less than 10 percent) for minimum out-migration to a higher wage index area or areas; and
(iii) a requirement that the average hourly wage of the hospitals in the qualifying county equals or exceeds the average hourly wage of all the hospitals in the area in which the qualifying county is located.
(C) For purposes of this paragraph, the term “higher wage index area” means, with respect to a county, an area with a wage index that exceeds that of the county.
(D) The increase in the wage index under subparagraph (A) for a qualifying county shall be equal to the percentage of the hospital employees residing in the qualifying county who are employed in any higher wage index area multiplied by the sum of the products, for each higher wage index area of—
(i) the difference between—(I) the wage index for such higher wage index area, and(II) the wage index of the qualifying county; and
(ii) the number of hospital employees residing in the qualifying county who are employed in such higher wage index area divided by the total number of hospital employees residing in the qualifying county who are employed in any higher wage index area.
(E) The process under this paragraph may be based upon the process used by the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board under paragraph (10). As the Secretary determines to be appropriate to carry out such process, the Secretary may require hospitals (including subsection (d) hospitals and other hospitals) and critical access hospitals, as required under section 1395cc(a)(1)(T) of this title, to submit data regarding the location of residence, or the Secretary may use data from other sources.
(F) A wage index increase under this paragraph shall be effective for a period of 3 fiscal years, except that the Secretary shall establish procedures under which a subsection (d) hospital may elect to waive the application of such wage index increase.
(G) A hospital in a county that has a wage index increase under this paragraph for a period and that has not waived the application of such an increase under subparagraph (F) is not eligible for reclassification under paragraph (8) or (10) during that period.
(H) Any increase in a wage index under this paragraph for a county shall not be taken into account for purposes of—
(i) computing the wage index for portions of the wage index area (not including the county) in which the county is located; or
(ii) applying any budget neutrality adjustment with respect to such index under paragraph (8)(D).
(I) The thresholds described in subparagraph (B), data on hospital employees used under this paragraph, and any determination of the Secretary under the process described in subparagraph (E) shall be final and shall not be subject to judicial review.
(e) Proportional adjustments in applicable percentage increases
(1)
(A) For cost reporting periods of hospitals beginning in fiscal year 1984 or fiscal year 1985, the Secretary shall provide for such proportional adjustment in the applicable percentage increase (otherwise applicable to the periods under subsection (b)(3)(B)) as may be necessary to assure that—
(i) the aggregate payment amounts otherwise provided under subsection (d)(1)(A)(i)(I) for that fiscal year for operating costs of inpatient hospital services of hospitals (excluding payments made under section 1395cc(a)(1)(F) of this title),
are not greater or less than—
(ii) the target percentage (as defined in subsection (d)(1)(C)) of the payment amounts which would have been payable for such services for those same hospitals for that fiscal year under this section under the law as in effect before April 20, 1983 (excluding payments made under section 1395cc(a)(1)(F) of this title);
except that the adjustment made under this subparagraph shall apply only to subsection (d) hospitals and shall not apply for purposes of making computations under subsection (d)(2)(B)(ii) or subsection (d)(3)(A).
(B) For discharges occurring in fiscal year 1984 or fiscal year 1985, the Secretary shall provide under subsections (d)(2)(F) and (d)(3)(C) for such equal proportional adjustment in each of the average standardized amounts otherwise computed for that fiscal year as may be necessary to assure that—
(i) the aggregate payment amounts otherwise provided under subsection (d)(1)(A)(i)(II) and (d)(5) for that fiscal year for operating costs of inpatient hospital services of hospitals (excluding payments made under section 1395cc(a)(1)(F) of this title),
are not greater or less than—
(ii) the DRG percentage (as defined in subsection (d)(1)(C)) of the payment amounts which would have been payable for such services for those same hospitals for that fiscal year under this section under the law as in effect before April 20, 1983 (excluding payments made under section 1395cc(a)(1)(F) of this title).
(C) For discharges occurring in fiscal year 1988, the Secretary shall provide for such equal proportional adjustment in each of the average standardized amounts otherwise computed under subsection (d)(3) for that fiscal year as may be necessary to assure that—
(i) the aggregate payment amounts otherwise provided under subsections (d)(1)(A)(iii), (d)(5), and (d)(9) for that fiscal year for operating costs of inpatient hospital services of subsection (d) hospitals and subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospitals,
are not greater or less than—
(ii) the payment amounts that would have been payable for such services for those same hospitals for that fiscal year but for the enactment of the amendments made by section 9304 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986.
(2) Repealed. Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4022(b)(1)(A)(i), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 354.
(3) Repealed. Pub. L. 109–432, div. B, title I, § 106(c)(2), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2983.
(4)
(A) Taking into consideration the recommendations of the Commission, the Secretary shall recommend for each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1988) an appropriate change factor for inpatient hospital services for discharges in that fiscal year which will take into account amounts necessary for the efficient and effective delivery of medically appropriate and necessary care of high quality. The appropriate change factor may be different for all large urban subsection (d) hospitals, other urban subsection (d) hospitals, urban subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospitals, rural subsection (d) hospitals, and rural subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospitals, and all other hospitals and units not paid under subsection (d), and may vary among such other hospitals and units.
(B) In addition to the recommendation made under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Commission under paragraph (2)(B), recommend for each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1992) other appropriate changes in each existing reimbursement policy under this subchapter under which payments to an institution are based upon prospectively determined rates.
(5) The Secretary shall cause to have published in the Federal Register, not later than—
(A) the April 1 before each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1986), the Secretary’s proposed recommendations under paragraph (4) for that fiscal year for public comment, and
(B) the August 1 before such fiscal year after such consideration of public comment on the proposal as is feasible in the time available, the Secretary’s final recommendations under such paragraph for that year.
The Secretary shall include in the publication referred to in subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year the report of the Commission’s recommendations submitted under paragraph (3) for that fiscal year. To the extent that the Secretary’s recommendations under paragraph (4) differ from the Commission’s recommendations for that fiscal year, the Secretary shall include in the publication referred to in subparagraph (A) an explanation of the Secretary’s grounds for not following the Commission’s recommendations.
(f) Reporting of costs of hospitals receiving payments on basis of prospective rates
(1)
(A) The Secretary shall maintain a system for the reporting of costs of hospitals receiving payments computed under subsection (d).
(B)
(i) Subject to clause (ii), the Secretary shall place into effect a standardized electronic cost reporting format for hospitals under this subchapter.
(ii) The Secretary may delay or waive the implementation of such format in particular instances where such implementation would result in financial hardship (in particular with respect to hospitals with a small percentage of inpatients entitled to benefits under this subchapter).
(2) If the Secretary determines, based upon information supplied by a quality improvement organization under part B of subchapter XI, that a hospital, in order to circumvent the payment method established under subsection (b) or (d) of this section, has taken an action that results in the admission of individuals entitled to benefits under part A unnecessarily, unnecessary multiple admissions of the same such individuals, or other inappropriate medical or other practices with respect to such individuals, the Secretary may—
(A) deny payment (in whole or in part) under part A with respect to inpatient hospital services provided with respect to such an unnecessary admission (or subsequent admission of the same individual), or
(B) require the hospital to take other corrective action necessary to prevent or correct the inappropriate practice.
(3) The provisions of subsections (c) through (g) of section 1320a–7 of this title shall apply to determinations made under paragraph (2) in the same manner as they apply to exclusions effected under section 1320a–7(b)(13) of this title.
(g) Prospective payment for capital-related costs; return on equity capital for hospitals
(1)
(A) Notwithstanding section 1395x(v) of this title, instead of any amounts that are otherwise payable under this subchapter with respect to the reasonable costs of subsection (d) hospitals and subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospitals for capital-related costs of inpatient hospital services, the Secretary shall, for hospital cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1991, provide for payments for such costs in accordance with a prospective payment system established by the Secretary. Aggregate payments made under subsection (d) and this subsection during fiscal years 1992 through 1995 shall be reduced in a manner that results in a reduction (as estimated by the Secretary) in the amount of such payments equal to a 10 percent reduction in the amount of payments attributable to capital-related costs that would otherwise have been made during such fiscal year had the amount of such payments been based on reasonable costs (as defined in section 1395x(v) of this title). For discharges occurring after September 30, 1993, the Secretary shall reduce by 7.4 percent the unadjusted standard Federal capital payment rate (as described in 42 CFR 412.308(c), as in effect on August 10, 1993) and shall (for hospital cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1993) redetermine which payment methodology is applied to the hospital under such system to take into account such reduction. In addition to the reduction described in the preceding sentence, for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1997, the Secretary shall apply the budget neutrality adjustment factor used to determine the Federal capital payment rate in effect on September 30, 1995 (as described in section 412.352 of title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations), to (i) the unadjusted standard Federal capital payment rate (as described in section 412.308(c) of that title, as in effect on September 30, 1997), and (ii) the unadjusted hospital-specific rate (as described in section 412.328(e)(1) of that title, as in effect on September 30, 1997), and, for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1997, and before October 1, 2002, reduce the rates described in clauses (i) and (ii) by 2.1 percent.
(B) Such system—
(i) shall provide for (I) a payment on a per discharge basis, and (II) an appropriate weighting of such payment amount as relates to the classification of the discharge;
(ii) may provide for an adjustment to take into account variations in the relative costs of capital and construction for the different types of facilities or areas in which they are located;
(iii) may provide for such exceptions (including appropriate exceptions to reflect capital obligations) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, and
(iv) may provide for suitable adjustment to reflect hospital occupancy rate.
(C) In this paragraph, the term “capital-related costs” has the meaning given such term by the Secretary under subsection (a)(4) as of September 30, 1987, and does not include a return on equity capital.
(2)
(A) The Secretary shall provide that the amount which is allowable, with respect to reasonable costs of inpatient hospital services for which payment may be made under this subchapter, for a return on equity capital for hospitals shall, for cost reporting periods beginning on or after April 20, 1983, be equal to amounts otherwise allowable under regulations in effect on March 1, 1983, except that the rate of return to be recognized shall be equal to the applicable percentage (described in subparagraph (B)) of the average of the rates of interest, for each of the months any part of which is included in the reporting period, on obligations issued for purchase by the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.
(B) In this paragraph, the “applicable percentage” is—
(i) 75 percent, for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 1987,
(ii) 50 percent, for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 1988,
(iii) 25 percent, for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 1989, and
(iv) 0 percent, for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1989.
(3)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in determining the amount of the payments that may be made under this subchapter with respect to all the capital-related costs of inpatient hospital services of a subsection (d) hospital and a subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospital, the Secretary shall reduce the amounts of such payments otherwise established under this subchapter by—
(i) 3.5 percent for payments attributable to portions of cost reporting periods occurring during fiscal year 1987,
(ii) 7 percent for payments attributable to portions of cost reporting periods or discharges (as the case may be) occurring during fiscal year 1988 on or after October 1, 1987, and before January 1, 1988,
(iii) 12 percent for payments attributable to portions of cost reporting periods or discharges (as the case may be) in fiscal year 1988, occurring on or after January 1, 1988,
(iv) 15 percent for payments attributable to portions of cost reporting periods or discharges (as the case may be) occurring during fiscal year 1989, and
(v) 15 percent for payments attributable to portions of cost reporting periods or discharges (as the case may be) occurring during the period beginning January 1, 1990, and ending September 30, 1991.
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to payments with respect to the capital-related costs of any hospital that is a sole community hospital (as defined in subsection (d)(5)(D)(iii)) or a critical access hospital (as defined in section 1395x(mm)(1) of this title).
(4) In determining the amount of the payments that are attributable to portions of cost reporting periods occurring during fiscal years 1998 through 2002 and that may be made under this subchapter with respect to capital-related costs of inpatient hospital services of a hospital which is described in clause (i), (ii), or (iv) of subsection (d)(1)(B) or a unit described in the matter after clause (v) of such subsection, the Secretary shall reduce the amounts of such payments otherwise determined under this subchapter by 15 percent.
(h) Payments for direct graduate medical education costs
(1) Substitution of special payment rules
(2) Determination of hospital-specific approved FTE resident amountsThe Secretary shall determine, for each hospital with an approved medical residency training program, an approved FTE resident amount for each cost reporting period beginning on or after July 1, 1985, as follows:
(A) Determining allowable average cost per FTE resident in a hospital’s base period
(B) Updating to the first cost reporting period
(i) In general
(ii) Exception
(C) Amount for first cost reporting period
(D) Amount for subsequent cost reporting periods
(i) In general
(ii) Freeze in update for fiscal years 1994 and 1995
(iii) Floor for locality adjusted national average per resident amount
(iv) Adjustment in rate of increase for hospitals with FTE approved amount above 140 percent of locality adjusted national average per resident amount(I) Freeze for fiscal years 2001 and 2002 and 2004 through 2013(II) 2 percent decrease in update for fiscal years 2003, 2004, and 2005(III) No adjustment below 140 percent
(E) Determination of locality adjusted national average per resident amountThe Secretary shall determine a locality adjusted national average per resident amount with respect to a cost reporting period of a hospital beginning during a fiscal year as follows:
(i) Determining hospital single per resident amount
(ii) Standardizing per resident amounts
(iii) Computing of weighted average
(iv) Computing national average per resident amount
(v) Adjusting for localityThe Secretary shall compute the product of—(I) the national average per resident amount computed under clause (iv) for the hospital, and(II) the geographic index value average (described and applied under clause (ii)) for the fee schedule area in which the hospital is located.
(vi) Computing locality adjusted amountThe locality adjusted national per resident amount for a hospital for—(I) the cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 2001 is the product computed under clause (v); or(II) each subsequent cost reporting period is equal to the locality adjusted national per resident amount for the hospital for the previous cost reporting period (as determined under this clause) updated, through the midpoint of the period, by projecting the estimated percentage change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers during the 12-month period ending at that midpoint.
(F) Treatment of certain hospitals
(i) In the case of a hospital that did not have an approved medical residency training program or was not participating in the program under this subchapter for a cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 1984, the Secretary shall, for the first such period for which it has such a residency training program and is participating under this subchapter, provide for such approved FTE resident amount as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, based on approved FTE resident amounts for comparable programs.
(ii) In applying this subparagraph in the case of a hospital that trains residents and has not entered into a GME affiliation agreement (as defined by the Secretary for purposes of paragraph (4)(H)(ii)), on or after December 27, 2020, the Secretary shall not establish an FTE resident amount until such time as the Secretary determines that the hospital has trained at least 1.0 full-time-equivalent resident in an approved medical residency training program in a cost reporting period.
(iii) In applying this subparagraph for cost reporting periods beginning on or after December 27, 2020, in the case of a hospital that, as of such date, has an approved FTE resident amount based on the training in an approved medical residency program or programs of—(I) less than 1.0 full-time-equivalent resident in any cost reporting period beginning before October 1, 1997, as determined by the Secretary; or(II) no more than 3.0 full-time-equivalent residents in any cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 1997, and before December 27, 2020, as determined by the Secretary,
in lieu of such FTE resident amount the Secretary shall, in accordance with the methodology described in section 413.77(e) of title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), establish a new FTE resident amount if the hospital trains at least 1.0 full-time-equivalent resident (in the case of a hospital described in subclause (I)) or more than 3.0 full-time-equivalent residents (in the case of a hospital described in subclause (II)) in a cost reporting period beginning on or after such date and before the date that is 5 years after such date.
(iv) For purposes of carrying out this subparagraph for cost reporting periods beginning on or after December 27, 2020, a hospital shall report full-time-equivalent residents on its cost report for a cost reporting period if the hospital trains at least 1.0 full-time-equivalent residents 9 in an approved medical residency training program or programs in such period.
(v) As appropriate, the Secretary may consider information from any cost reporting period necessary to establish a new FTE resident amount as described in clause (iii).
(3) Hospital payment amount per resident
(A) In generalThe payment amount, for a hospital cost reporting period beginning on or after July 1, 1985, is equal to the product of—
(i) the aggregate approved amount (as defined in subparagraph (B)) for that period, and
(ii) the hospital’s medicare patient load (as defined in subparagraph (C)) for that period.
(B) Aggregate approved amountAs used in subparagraph (A), the term “aggregate approved amount” means, for a hospital cost reporting period, the product of—
(i) the hospital’s approved FTE resident amount (determined under paragraph (2)) for that period, and
(ii) the weighted average number of full-time-equivalent residents (as determined under paragraph (4)) in the hospital’s approved medical residency training programs in that period.
The Secretary shall reduce the aggregate approved amount to the extent payment is made under subsection (k) for residents included in the hospital’s count of full-time equivalent residents.
(C) Medicare patient load
(D) Payment for managed care enrollees
(i) In generalFor portions of cost reporting periods occurring on or after January 1, 1998, the Secretary shall provide for an additional payment amount under this subsection for services furnished to individuals who are enrolled under a risk-sharing contract with an eligible organization under section 1395mm of this title and who are entitled to part A or with a Medicare+Choice organization under part C. The amount of such a payment shall equal, subject to clause (iii), the applicable percentage of the product of—(I) the aggregate approved amount (as defined in subparagraph (B)) for that period; and(II) the fraction of the total number of inpatient-bed days (as established by the Secretary) during the period which are attributable to such enrolled individuals.
(ii) Applicable percentageFor purposes of clause (i), the applicable percentage is—(I) 20 percent in 1998,(II) 40 percent in 1999,(III) 60 percent in 2000,(IV) 80 percent in 2001, and(V) 100 percent in 2002 and subsequent years.
(iii) Proportional reduction for nursing and allied health education
(iv) Special rule for hospitals under reimbursement system
(4) Determination of full-time-equivalent residents
(A) Rules
(B) Adjustment for part-year or part-time residents
(C) Weighting factors for certain residentsSubject to subparagraph (D), such rules shall provide, in calculating the number of full-time-equivalent residents in an approved residency program—
(i) before July 1, 1986, for each resident the weighting factor is 1.00,
(ii) on or after July 1, 1986, for a resident who is in the resident’s initial residency period (as defined in paragraph (5)(F)), the weighting factor is 1.00,
(iii) on or after July 1, 1986, and before July 1, 1987, for a resident who is not in the resident’s initial residency period (as defined in paragraph (5)(F)), the weighting factor is .75, and
(iv) on or after July 1, 1987, for a resident who is not in the resident’s initial residency period (as defined in paragraph (5)(F)), the weighting factor is .50.
(D) Foreign medical graduates required to pass FMGEMS examination
(i) In generalExcept as provided in clause (ii), such rules shall provide that, in the case of an individual who is a foreign medical graduate (as defined in paragraph (5)(D)), the individual shall not be counted as a resident on or after July 1, 1986, unless—(I) the individual has passed the FMGEMS examination (as defined in paragraph (5)(E)), or(II) the individual has previously received certification from, or has previously passed the examination of, the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.
(ii) Transition for current FMGSOn or after July 1, 1986, but before July 1, 1987, in the case of a foreign medical graduate who—(I) has served as a resident before July 1, 1986, and is serving as a resident after that date, but(II) has not passed the FMGEMS examination or a previous examination of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates before July 1, 1986,
 the individual shall be counted as a resident at a rate equal to one-half of the rate at which the individual would otherwise be counted.
(E) Counting time spent in outpatient settingsSubject to subparagraphs (J) and (K), such rules shall provide that only time spent in activities relating to patient care shall be counted and that—
(i) effective for cost reporting periods beginning before July 1, 2010, all the time; 10
10 So in original. The semicolon probably should not appear.
so spent by a resident under an approved medical residency training program shall be counted towards the determination of full-time equivalency, without regard to the setting in which the activities are performed, if the hospital incurs all, or substantially all, of the costs for the training program in that setting; and
(ii) effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after July 1, 2010, all the time so spent by a resident shall be counted towards the determination of full-time equivalency, without regard to the setting in which the activities are performed, if a hospital incurs the costs of the stipends and fringe benefits of the resident during the time the resident spends in that setting. If more than one hospital incurs these costs, either directly or through a third party, such hospitals shall count a proportional share of the time, as determined by written agreement between the hospitals, that a resident spends training in that setting.
Any hospital claiming under this subparagraph for time spent in a nonprovider setting shall maintain and make available to the Secretary records regarding the amount of such time and such amount in comparison with amounts of such time in such base year as the Secretary shall specify.
(F) Limitation on number of residents in allopathic and osteopathic medicine
(i) In general
(ii) Counting primary care residents on certain approved leaves of absence in base year FTE count(I) In general(II) Limitation to 3 FTE residents for any hospital
(G) Counting interns and residents for FY 1998 and subsequent years
(i) In general
(ii) Adjustment for short periods
(iii) Transition rule for 1998
(H) Special rules for application of subparagraphs (F) and (G)
(i) New facilities(I) The Secretary shall, consistent with the principles of subparagraphs (F) and (G) and subject to paragraphs (7), (8), (9), and (10), prescribe rules for the application of such subparagraphs in the case of medical residency training programs established on or after January 1, 1995. In promulgating such rules for purposes of subparagraph (F), the Secretary shall give special consideration to facilities that meet the needs of underserved rural areas.(II) In applying this clause in the case of a hospital that, on or after December 27, 2020, begins training residents in a new approved medical residency training program or programs (as defined by the Secretary), the Secretary shall not determine a limitation applicable to the hospital under subparagraph (F) until such time as the Secretary determines that the hospital has trained at least 1.0 full-time-equivalent resident in such new approved medical residency training program or programs in a cost reporting period.(III) In applying this clause in the case of a hospital that, as of December 27, 2020, has a limitation under subparagraph (F), based on a cost reporting period beginning before October 1, 1997, of less than 1.0 full-time-equivalent resident, the Secretary shall adjust the limitation in the manner applicable to a new approved medical residency training program if the Secretary determines the hospital begins training at least 1.0 full-time-equivalent residents 9 in a program year beginning on or after such date and before the date that is 5 years after such date.(IV) In applying this clause in the case of a hospital that, as of December 27, 2020, has a limitation under subparagraph (F), based on a cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 1997, and before such date, of no more than 3.0 full-time-equivalent residents, the Secretary shall adjust the limitation in the manner applicable to a new approved medical residency training program if the Secretary determines the hospital begins training more than 3.0 full-time-equivalent residents in a program year beginning on or after such date and before the date that is 5 years after such date.(V) An adjustment to the limitation applicable to a hospital made pursuant to subclause (III) or (IV) shall be made in a manner consistent with the methodology, as appropriate, in section 413.79(e) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation). As appropriate, the Secretary may consider information from any cost reporting periods necessary to make such an adjustment to the limitation.
(ii) Aggregation
(iii) Data collection
(iv) Training programs in rural areas(I) Cost reporting periods beginning before October 1, 2022(II) Cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2022
(v) Special provider agreementIf an entity enters into a provider agreement pursuant to section 1395cc(a) of this title to provide hospital services on the same physical site previously used by Medicare Provider No. 05–0578—(I) the limitation on the number of total full time equivalent residents under subparagraph (F) and clauses (v) and (vi)(I) of subsection (d)(5)(B) applicable to such provider shall be equal to the limitation applicable under such provisions to Provider No. 05–0578 for its cost reporting period ending on June 30, 2006; and(II) the provisions of subparagraph (G) and subsection (d)(5)(B)(vi)(II) shall not be applicable to such provider for the first three cost reporting years in which such provider trains residents under any approved medical residency training program.
(vi) Redistribution of residency slots after a hospital closes(I) In general(II) Priority for hospitals in certain areasSubject to the succeeding provisions of this clause, in determining for which hospitals the increase in the otherwise applicable resident limit is provided under such process, the Secretary shall distribute the increase to hospitals in the following priority order (with preference given within each category to hospitals that are members of the same affiliated group (as defined by the Secretary under clause (ii)) as the closed hospital):(aa) First, to hospitals located in the same core-based statistical area as, or a core-based statistical area contiguous to, the hospital that closed.(bb) Second, to hospitals located in the same State as the hospital that closed.(cc) Third, to hospitals located in the same region of the country as the hospital that closed.(dd) Fourth, only if the Secretary is not able to distribute the increase to hospitals described in item (cc), to qualifying hospitals in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (8).(III) Requirement hospital likely to fill position within certain time period(IV) Limitation(V) Administration
(J)12
12 So in original. No subpar. (I) has been enacted.
Treatment of certain nonprovider and didactic activities
(K) Treatment of certain other activities
(5) Definitions and special rulesAs used in this subsection:
(A) Approved medical residency training program
(B) Consumer price index
(C) Direct graduate medical education costs
(D) Foreign medical graduateThe term “foreign medical graduate” means a resident who is not a graduate of—
(i) a school of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education of the American Medical Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges (or approved by such Committee as meeting the standards necessary for such accreditation),
(ii) a school of osteopathy accredited by the American Osteopathic Association, or approved by such Association as meeting the standards necessary for such accreditation, or
(iii) a school of dentistry or podiatry which is accredited (or meets the standards for accreditation) by an organization recognized by the Secretary for such purpose.
(E) FMGEMS examination
(F) Initial residency periodThe term “initial residency period” means the period of board eligibility, except that—
(i) except as provided in clause (ii), in no case shall the initial period of residency exceed an aggregate period of formal training of more than five years for any individual, and
(ii) a period, of not more than two years, during which an individual is in a geriatric residency or fellowship program or a preventive medicine residency or fellowship program which meets such criteria as the Secretary may establish, shall be treated as part of the initial residency period, but shall not be counted against any limitation on the initial residency period.
Subject to subparagraph (G)(v), the initial residency period shall be determined, with respect to a resident, as of the time the resident enters the residency training program.
(G) Period of board eligibility
(i) General rule
(ii) Application of 1985–1986 directory
(iii) Changes in period of board eligibilityOn or after July 1, 1989, if the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education, in its Directory of Residency Training Programs—(I) increases the minimum number of years of formal training necessary to satisfy the requirements for a specialty, above the period specified in its 1985–1986 Directory, the Secretary may increase the period of board eligibility for that specialty, but not to exceed the period of board eligibility specified in that later Directory, or(II) decreases the minimum number of years of formal training necessary to satisfy the requirements for a specialty, below the period specified in its 1985–1986 Directory, the Secretary may decrease the period of board eligibility for that specialty, but not below the period of board eligibility specified in that later Directory.
(iv) Special rule for certain primary care combined residency programs(I) In the case of a resident enrolled in a combined medical residency training program in which all of the individual programs (that are combined) are for training a primary care resident (as defined in subparagraph (H)), the period of board eligibility shall be the minimum number of years of formal training required to satisfy the requirements for initial board eligibility in the longest of the individual programs plus one additional year.(II) A resident enrolled in a combined medical residency training program that includes an obstetrics and gynecology program shall qualify for the period of board eligibility under subclause (I) if the other programs such resident combines with such obstetrics and gynecology program are for training a primary care resident.
(v) Child neurology training programs
(H) Primary care resident
(I) Resident
(J) Adjustments for certain family practice residency programs
(i) In generalIn the case of an approved medical residency training program (meeting the requirements of clause (ii)) of a hospital which received funds from the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State or an instrumentality of such a State or political subdivision (other than payments under this subchapter or a State plan under subchapter XIX) for the program during the cost reporting period that began during fiscal year 1984, the Secretary shall—(I) provide for an average amount under paragraph (2)(A) that takes into account the Secretary’s estimate of the amount that would have been recognized as reasonable under this subchapter if the hospital had not received such funds, and(II) reduce the payment amount otherwise provided under this subsection in an amount equal to the proportion of such program funds received during the cost reporting period involved that is allocable to this subchapter.
(ii) Additional requirementsA hospital’s approved medical residency program meets the requirements of this clause if—(I) the program is limited to training for family and community medicine;(II) the program is the only approved medical residency program of the hospital; and(III) the average amount determined under paragraph (2)(A) for the hospital (as determined without regard to the increase in such amount described in clause (i)(I)) does not exceed $10,000.
(K) Nonprovider setting that is primarily engaged in furnishing patient care
(6) Incentive payment under plans for voluntary reduction in number of residents
(A) In generalIn the case of a voluntary residency reduction plan for which an application is approved under subparagraph (B), subject to subparagraph (F), each hospital which is part of the qualifying entity submitting the plan shall be paid an applicable hold harmless percentage (as specified in subparagraph (E)) of the sum of—
(i) the amount (if any) by which—(I) the amount of payment which would have been made under this subsection if there had been a 5-percent reduction in the number of full-time equivalent residents in the approved medical education training programs of the hospital as of June 30, 1997, exceeds(II) the amount of payment which is made under this subsection, taking into account the reduction in such number effected under the reduction plan; and
(ii) the amount of the reduction in payment under subsection (d)(5)(B) for the hospital that is attributable to the reduction in number of residents effected under the plan below 95 percent of the number of full-time equivalent residents in such programs of the hospital as of June 30, 1997.
The determination of the amounts under clauses (i) and (ii) for any year shall be made on the basis of the provisions of this subchapter in effect on the application deadline date for the first calendar year to which the reduction plan applies.
(B) Approval of plan applicationsThe Secretary may not approve the application of an qualifying entity unless—
(i) the application is submitted in a form and manner specified by the Secretary and by not later than November 1, 1999,13
13 So in original. The comma probably should be a semicolon.
(ii) the application provides for the operation of a plan for the reduction in the number of full-time equivalent residents in the approved medical residency training programs of the entity consistent with the requirements of subparagraph (D);
(iii) the entity elects in the application the period of residency training years (not greater than 5) over which the reduction will occur;
(iv) the entity will not reduce the proportion of its residents in primary care (to the total number of residents) below such proportion as in effect as of the applicable time described in subparagraph (D)(v); and
(v) the Secretary determines that the application and the entity and such plan meet such other requirements as the Secretary specifies in regulations.
(C) Qualifying entityFor purposes of this paragraph, any of the following may be a qualifying entity:
(i) Individual hospitals operating one or more approved medical residency training programs.
(ii) Two or more hospitals that operate such programs and apply for treatment under this paragraph as a single qualifying entity.
(iii) A qualifying consortium (as described in section 4628 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997).
(D) Residency reduction requirements
(i) Individual hospital applicantsIn the case of a qualifying entity described in subparagraph (C)(i), the number of full-time equivalent residents in all the approved medical residency training programs operated by or through the entity shall be reduced as follows:(I) If the base number of residents exceeds 750 residents, by a number equal to at least 20 percent of such base number.(II) Subject to subclause (IV), if the base number of residents exceeds 600 but is less than 750 residents, by 150 residents.(III) Subject to subclause (IV), if the base number of residents does not exceed 600 residents, by a number equal to at least 25 percent of such base number.(IV) In the case of a qualifying entity which is described in clause (v) and which elects treatment under this subclause, by a number equal to at least 20 percent of the base number.
(ii) Joint applicantsIn the case of a qualifying entity described in subparagraph (C)(ii), the number of full-time equivalent residents in the aggregate for all the approved medical residency training programs operated by or through the entity shall be reduced as follows:(I) Subject to subclause (II), by a number equal to at least 25 percent of the base number.(II) In the case of such a qualifying entity which is described in clause (v) and which elects treatment under this subclause, by a number equal to at least 20 percent of the base number.
(iii) Consortia
(iv) Manner of reduction
(v) Entities providing assurance of increase in primary care residentsAn entity is described in this clause if—(I) the base number of residents for the entity is less than 750 or the entity is described in subparagraph (C)(ii); and(II) the entity represents in its application under subparagraph (B) that it will increase the number of full-time equivalent residents in primary care by at least 20 percent (from such number included in the base number of residents) by not later than the 5th residency training year in which the application under subparagraph (B) is effective.
 If a qualifying entity fails to comply with the representation described in subclause (II) by the end of such 5th residency training year, the entity shall be subject to repayment of all amounts paid under this paragraph, in accordance with procedures established to carry out subparagraph (F).
(vi) “Base number of residents” defined
(E) Applicable hold harmless percentageFor purposes of subparagraph (A), the “applicable hold harmless percentage” for the—
(i) first and second residency training years in which the reduction plan is in effect, 100 percent,
(ii) third such year, 75 percent,
(iii) fourth such year, 50 percent, and
(iv) fifth such year, 25 percent.
(F) Penalty for noncompliance
(i) In general
(ii) Increase in number of residents in subsequent years
(G) Treatment of rotating residents
(7) Redistribution of unused resident positions
(A) Reduction in limit based on unused positions
(i) Programs subject to reduction(I) In general(II) Exception for small rural hospitals
(ii) Reference resident level(I) In general(II) Use of most recent accounting period to recognize expansion of existing programs(III) Expansions under newly approved programs
(iii) Affiliation
(B) Redistribution
(i) In general
(ii) Considerations in redistribution
(iii) Priority for rural and small urban areasIn determining for which hospitals and residency training programs an increase in the otherwise applicable resident limit is provided under clause (i), the Secretary shall distribute the increase to programs of hospitals located in the following priority order:(I) First, to hospitals located in rural areas (as defined in subsection (d)(2)(D)(ii)).(II) Second, to hospitals located in urban areas that are not large urban areas (as defined for purposes of subsection (d)).(III) Third, to other hospitals in a State if the residency training program involved is in a specialty for which there are not other residency training programs in the State.
 Increases of residency limits within the same priority category under this clause shall be determined by the Secretary.
(iv) Limitation
(v) Application of locality adjusted national average per resident amount
(vi) Construction
(C) Resident level and limit definedIn this paragraph:
(i) Resident level
(ii) Otherwise applicable resident limit
(D) Adjustment based on settled cost reportIn the case of a hospital with a dual accredited osteopathic and allopathic family practice program for which—
(i) the otherwise applicable resident limit was reduced under subparagraph (A)(i)(I); and
(ii) such reduction was based on a reference resident level that was determined using a cost report and where a revised or corrected notice of program reimbursement was issued for such cost report between September 1, 2006 and September 15, 2006, whether as a result of an appeal or otherwise, and the reference resident level under such settled cost report is higher than the level used for the reduction under subparagraph (A)(i)(I);
the Secretary shall apply subparagraph (A)(i)(I) using the higher resident reference level and make any necessary adjustments to such reduction. Any such necessary adjustments shall be effective for portions of cost reporting periods occurring on or after July 1, 2005.
(E) Judicial review
(8) Distribution of additional residency positions
(A) Reductions in limit based on unused positions
(i) In general
(ii) ExceptionsThis subparagraph shall not apply to—(I) a hospital located in a rural area (as defined in subsection (d)(2)(D)(ii)) with fewer than 250 acute care inpatient beds;(II) a hospital that was part of a qualifying entity which had a voluntary residency reduction plan approved under paragraph (6)(B) or under the authority of section 402 of Public Law 90–248, if the hospital demonstrates to the Secretary that it has a specified plan in place for filling the unused positions by not later than 2 years after March 23, 2010; or(III) a hospital described in paragraph (4)(H)(v).
(B) Distribution
(i) In general
(ii) RequirementsSubject to clause (iii), a hospital that receives an increase in the otherwise applicable resident limit under this subparagraph shall ensure, during the 5-year period beginning on the date of such increase, that—(I) the number of full-time equivalent primary care residents, as defined in paragraph (5)(H) (as determined by the Secretary), excluding any additional positions under subclause (II), is not less than the average number of full-time equivalent primary care residents (as so determined) during the 3 most recent cost reporting periods ending prior to March 23, 2010; and(II) not less than 75 percent of the positions attributable to such increase are in a primary care or general surgery residency (as determined by the Secretary).
 The Secretary may determine whether a hospital has met the requirements under this clause during such 5-year period in such manner and at such time as the Secretary determines appropriate, including at the end of such 5-year period.
(iii) Redistribution of positions if hospital no longer meets certain requirementsIn the case where the Secretary determines that a hospital described in clause (ii) does not meet either of the requirements under subclause (I) or (II) of such clause, the Secretary shall—(I) reduce the otherwise applicable resident limit of the hospital by the amount by which such limit was increased under this paragraph; and(II) provide for the distribution of positions attributable to such reduction in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph.
(C) Considerations in redistributionIn determining for which hospitals the increase in the otherwise applicable resident limit is provided under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall take into account—
(i) the demonstration likelihood of the hospital filling the positions made available under this paragraph within the first 3 cost reporting periods beginning on or after July 1, 2011, as determined by the Secretary; and
(ii) whether the hospital has an accredited rural training track (as described in paragraph (4)(H)(iv)).
(D) Priority for certain areasIn determining for which hospitals the increase in the otherwise applicable resident limit is provided under subparagraph (B), subject to subparagraph (E), the Secretary shall distribute the increase to hospitals based on the following factors:
(i) Whether the hospital is located in a State with a resident-to-population ratio in the lowest quartile (as determined by the Secretary).
(ii) Whether the hospital is located in a State, a territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia that is among the top 10 States, territories, or Districts in terms of the ratio of—(I) the total population of the State, territory, or District living in an area designated (under such section 332(a)(1)(A) 4) as a health professional shortage area (as of March 23, 2010); to(II) the total population of the State, territory, or District (as determined by the Secretary based on the most recent available population data published by the Bureau of the Census).
(iii) Whether the hospital is located in a rural area (as defined in subsection (d)(2)(D)(ii)).
(E) Reservation of positions for certain hospitals
(i) In generalSubject to clause (ii), the Secretary shall reserve the positions available for distribution under this paragraph as follows:(I) 70 percent of such positions for distribution to hospitals described in clause (i) of subparagraph (D).(II) 30 percent of such positions for distribution to hospitals described in clause (ii) and (iii) of such subparagraph.
(ii) Exception if positions not redistributed by July 1, 2011
(F) Limitation
(G) Application of per resident amounts for primary care and nonprimary care
(H) DefinitionsIn this paragraph:
(i) Reference resident level
(ii) Resident level
(iii) Otherwise applicable resident limit
(I) Affiliation
(9) Distribution of additional residency positions
(A) Additional residency positions
(i) In general
(ii) Number available for distribution(I) Total number available(II) Annual limit
(iii) Process for distributing positions(I) Rounds of applications(II) Timing
(B) DistributionFor purposes of providing an increase in the otherwise applicable resident limit under subparagraph (A), the following shall apply:
(i) Considerations in distribution
(ii) Minimum distribution for certain categories of hospitalsWith respect to the aggregate number of such positions available for distribution under this paragraph, the Secretary shall distribute not less than 10 percent of such aggregate number to each of the following categories of hospitals:(I) Hospitals that are located in a rural area (as defined in subsection (d)(2)(D)) or are treated as being located in a rural area pursuant to subsection (d)(8)(E).(II) Hospitals in which the reference resident level of the hospital (as specified in subparagraph (F)(iii)) is greater than the otherwise applicable resident limit.(III) Hospitals in States with—(aa) new medical schools that received “Candidate School” status from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or that received “Pre-Accreditation” status from the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation on or after January 1, 2000, and that have achieved or continue to progress toward “Full Accreditation” status (as such term is defined by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education) or toward “Accreditation” status (as such term is defined by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation); or(bb) additional locations and branch campuses established on or after January 1, 2000, by medical schools with “Full Accreditation” status (as such term is defined by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education) or “Accreditation” status (as such term is defined by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation).(IV) Hospitals that serve areas designated as health professional shortage areas under section 254e(a)(1)(A) of this title, as determined by the Secretary.
(C) Limitations
(i) In general
(ii) Prohibition on distribution to hospitals without an increase agreement
(D) Application of per resident amounts for primary care and nonprimary care
(E) Permitting facilities to apply aggregation rules
(F) DefinitionsIn this paragraph:
(i) Otherwise applicable resident limit
(ii) Qualifying hospital
(iii) Reference resident level
(iv) Resident level
(10) Distribution of additional residency positions in psychiatry and psychiatry subspecialties
(A) Additional residency positions
(i) In general
(ii) Number available for distribution
(iii) Distribution for psychiatry or psychiatry subspecialty residencies
(iv) Timing
(B) DistributionFor purposes of providing an increase in the otherwise applicable resident limit under subparagraph (A), the following shall apply:
(i) Considerations in distribution
(ii) Minimum distribution for certain categories of hospitalsWith respect to the aggregate number of such positions available for distribution under this paragraph, the Secretary shall distribute not less than 10 percent of such aggregate number to each of the following categories of hospitals:(I) Hospitals that are located in a rural area (as defined in section 1395ww(d)(2)(D) of this title) or are treated as being located in a rural area pursuant to section 1395ww(d)(8)(E) of this title.(II) Hospitals in which the reference resident level of the hospital (as specified in subparagraph (F)(iii)) is greater than the otherwise applicable resident limit.(III) Hospitals in States with—(aa) new medical schools that received “Candidate School” status from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or that received “Pre-Accreditation” status from the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation on or after January 1, 2000, and that have achieved or continue to progress toward “Full Accreditation” status (as such term is defined by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education) or toward “Accreditation” status (as such term is defined by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation); or(bb) additional locations and branch campuses established on or after January 1, 2000, by medical schools with “Full Accreditation” status (as such term is defined by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education) or “Accreditation” status (as such term is defined by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation).(IV) Hospitals that serve areas designated as health professional shortage areas under section 254e(a)(1)(A) of this title, as determined by the Secretary.
(iii) Pro rata application
(C) Requirements
(i) Limitation
(ii) Prohibition on distribution to hospitals without an increase agreement
(iii) Requirement for hospitals to expand programs
(D) Application of per resident amounts for nonprimary care
(E) Permitting facilities to apply aggregation rules
(F) DefinitionsIn this paragraph:
(i) Otherwise applicable resident limit
(ii) Psychiatry or psychiatry subspecialty residency
(iii) Qualifying hospital
(iv) Reference resident level
(v) Resident level
(i) Avoiding duplicative payments to hospitals participating in rural demonstration programs
(j) Prospective payment for inpatient rehabilitation services
(1) Payment during transition period
(A) In generalNotwithstanding section 1395f(b) of this title, but subject to the provisions of section 1395e of this title, the amount of the payment with respect to the operating and capital costs of inpatient hospital services of a rehabilitation hospital or a rehabilitation unit (in this subsection referred to as a “rehabilitation facility”), other than a facility making an election under subparagraph (F) in a cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 2000, and before October 1, 2002, is equal to the sum of—
(i) the TEFRA percentage (as defined in subparagraph (C)) of the amount that would have been paid under part A with respect to such costs if this subsection did not apply, and
(ii) the prospective payment percentage (as defined in subparagraph (C)) of the product of (I) the per unit payment rate established under this subsection for the fiscal year in which the payment unit of service occurs, and (II) the number of such payment units occurring in the cost reporting period.
(B) Fully implemented system
(C) TEFRA and prospective payment percentages specifiedFor purposes of subparagraph (A), for a cost reporting period beginning—
(i) on or after October 1, 2000, and before October 1, 2001, the “TEFRA percentage” is 66⅔ percent and the “prospective payment percentage” is 33⅓ percent; and
(ii) on or after October 1, 2001, and before October 1, 2002, the “TEFRA percentage” is 33⅓ percent and the “prospective payment percentage” is 66⅔ percent.
(D) Payment unit
(E) Construction relating to transfer authority
(F) Election to apply full prospective payment system
(2) Patient case mix groups
(A) EstablishmentThe Secretary shall establish—
(i) classes of patient discharges of rehabilitation facilities by functional-related groups (each in this subsection referred to as a “case mix group”), based on impairment, age, comorbidities, and functional capability of the patient and such other factors as the Secretary deems appropriate to improve the explanatory power of functional independence measure-function related groups; and
(ii) a method of classifying specific patients in rehabilitation facilities within these groups.
(B) Weighting factors
(C) Adjustments for case mix
(i) In general
(ii) Adjustment
(D) Data collection
(3) Payment rate
(A) In generalThe Secretary shall determine a prospective payment rate for each payment unit for which such rehabilitation facility is entitled to receive payment under this subchapter. Subject to subparagraph (B), such rate for payment units occurring during a fiscal year shall be based on the average payment per payment unit under this subchapter for inpatient operating and capital costs of rehabilitation facilities using the most recent data available (as estimated by the Secretary as of the date of establishment of the system) adjusted—
(i) by updating such per-payment-unit amount to the fiscal year involved by the weighted average of the applicable percentage increases provided under subsection (b)(3)(B)(ii) (for cost reporting periods beginning during the fiscal year) covering the period from the midpoint of the period for such data through the midpoint of fiscal year 2000 and by an increase factor (described in subparagraph (C)) specified by the Secretary for subsequent fiscal years up to the fiscal year involved;
(ii) by reducing such rates by a factor equal to the proportion of payments under this subsection (as estimated by the Secretary) based on prospective payment amounts which are additional payments described in paragraph (4) (relating to outlier and related payments);
(iii) for variations among rehabilitation facilities by area under paragraph (6);
(iv) by the weighting factors established under paragraph (2)(B); and
(v) by such other factors as the Secretary determines are necessary to properly reflect variations in necessary costs of treatment among rehabilitation facilities.
(B) Budget neutral rates
(C) Increase factor
(i) In general
(ii) Productivity and other adjustmentSubject to clause (iii), after establishing the increase factor described in clause (i) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reduce such increase factor—(I) for fiscal year 2012 and each subsequent fiscal year, by the productivity adjustment described in subsection (b)(3)(B)(xi)(II); and(II) for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2019, by the other adjustment described in subparagraph (D).
 The application of this clause may result in the increase factor under this subparagraph being less than 0.0 for a fiscal year, and may result in payment rates under this subsection for a fiscal year being less than such payment rates for the preceding fiscal year.
(iii) Special rule for fiscal year 2018
(D) Other adjustmentFor purposes of subparagraph (C)(ii)(II), the other adjustment described in this subparagraph is—
(i) for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011, 0.25 percentage point;
(ii) for each of fiscal years 2012 and 2013, 0.1 percentage point;
(iii) for fiscal year 2014, 0.3 percentage point;
(iv) for each of fiscal years 2015 and 2016, 0.2 percentage point; and
(v) for each of fiscal years 2017, 2018, and 2019, 0.75 percentage point.
(4) Outlier and special payments
(A) Outliers
(i) In general
(ii) Payment based on marginal cost of care
(iii) Total payments
(B) Adjustment
(5) Publication
(6) Area wage adjustment
(7) Quality reporting
(A) Reduction in update for failure to report
(i) In general
(ii) Special rule
(B) Noncumulative application
(C) Submission of quality data
(D) Quality measures
(i) In general
(ii) Exception
(iii) Time frame
(E) Public availability of data submitted
(i) In general
(ii) Public recognition of rehabilitation innovation centers
(iii) Rehabilitation innovation centers defined
(iv) Rehabilitation facility described(I) In generalSubject to subclause (II), a rehabilitation facility described in this clause is a rehabilitation facility that—(aa) is classified as a rehabilitation facility under the IRF Rate Setting File for the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2019 (83 Fed. Reg. 38514), or any successor regulations that contain such information;(bb) holds at least one Federal rehabilitation research and training designation for research projects on traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research at the Department of Health and Human Services, based on such data submitted to the Secretary by a facility, in a form, manner, and time frame specified by the Secretary;(cc) submits to the Secretary a description of the clinical research enterprise of the facility and a summary of research activities of the facility that are supported by Federal agencies;(dd) has a minimum Medicare estimated average weight per discharge of 1.20 for the most recent fiscal year for which such information is available according to the IRF Rate Setting File described in item (aa), or any successor regulations that contain such information; and(ee) has a minimum teaching status of 0.075 for the most recent fiscal year for which such information is available according to the IRF Rate Setting File described in item (aa), or any successor regulations that contain such information.(II) Waiver
(v) Applicable date definedFor purposes of clauses (iii) and (iv), the term “applicable date” means—(I) with respect to the initial publication of a list under clause (ii), January 5, 2023; and(II) with respect to the publication of an updated list under clause (ii), a date specified by the Secretary that is not more than one year prior to the date of such publication.
(vi) Implementation
(vii) Nonapplication of Paperwork Reduction Act
(F) Submission of additional data
(i) In general
(ii) Standardized patient assessment data
(iii) Submission
(G) Non-duplication
(8) Limitation on reviewThere shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1395ff of this title, 1395oo of this title, or otherwise of the establishment of—
(A) case mix groups, of the methodology for the classification of patients within such groups, and of the appropriate weighting factors thereof under paragraph (2),
(B) the prospective payment rates under paragraph (3),
(C) outlier and special payments under paragraph (4), and
(D) area wage adjustments under paragraph (6).
(k) Payment to nonhospital providers
(1) In general
(2) Qualified nonhospital providersFor purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified nonhospital providers” means—
(A) a Federally 15
15 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.
qualified health center, as defined in section 1395x(aa)(4) of this title;
(B) a rural health clinic, as defined in section 1395x(aa)(2) of this title;
(C) Medicare+Choice organizations; and
(D) such other providers (other than hospitals) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(l) Payment for nursing and allied health education for managed care enrollees
(1) In general
(2) Payment amountThe additional payment amount under this subsection for each hospital for portions of cost reporting periods occurring in a year shall be an amount specified by the Secretary in a manner consistent with the following:
(A) Determination of managed care enrollee payment ratio for graduate medical education payments
(B) Application to fee-for-service nursing and allied health education payments
(i) In general
(ii) Exception to annual limitation for each of 2010 through 2019
(C) Application to hospitalThe amount of payment under this subsection to a hospital for portions of cost reporting periods occurring in a year is equal to the total amount of payments determined under subparagraph (B) for the year multiplied by the ratio of—
(i) the product of (I) the Secretary’s estimate of the ratio of the amount of payments made under section 1395x(v) of this title to the hospital for nursing and allied health education activities for the hospital’s cost reporting period ending in the second preceding fiscal year, to the hospital’s total inpatient days for such period, and (II) the total number of inpatient days (as established by the Secretary) for such period which are attributable to services furnished to individuals who are enrolled under a risk sharing contract with an eligible organization under section 1395mm of this title and who are entitled to benefits under part A or who are enrolled with a Medicare+Choice organization under part C; to
(ii) the sum of the products determined under clause (i) for such cost reporting periods.
(m) Prospective payment for long-term care hospitals
(1) Reference to establishment and implementation of system
(2) Update for rate year 2008
(3) Implementation for rate year 2010 and subsequent years
(A) In generalSubject to subparagraph (C), in implementing the system described in paragraph (1) for rate year 2010 and each subsequent rate year, any annual update to a standard Federal rate for discharges for the hospital during the rate year, shall be reduced—
(i) for rate year 2012 and each subsequent rate year, by the productivity adjustment described in subsection (b)(3)(B)(xi)(II); and
(ii) for each of rate years 2010 through 2019, by the other adjustment described in paragraph (4).
(B) Special rule
(C) Additional special rule
(4) Other adjustmentFor purposes of paragraph (3)(A)(ii), the other adjustment described in this paragraph is—
(A) for rate year 2010, 0.25 percentage point;
(B) for rate year 2011, 0.50 percentage point;
(C) for each of the rate years beginning in 2012 and 2013, 0.1 percentage point;
(D) for rate year 2014, 0.3 percentage point;
(E) for each of rate years 2015 and 2016, 0.2 percentage point; and
(F) for each of rate years 2017, 2018, and 2019, 0.75 percentage point.
(5) Quality reporting
(A) Reduction in update for failure to report
(i) In general
(ii) Special rule
(B) Noncumulative application
(C) Submission of quality data
(D) Quality measures
(i) In general
(ii) Exception
(iii) Time frame
(iv) Additional quality measures
(E) Public availability of data submitted
(F) Submission of additional data
(i) In general
(ii) Standardized patient assessment data
(iii) Submission
(G) Non-duplication
(6) Application of site neutral IPPS payment rate in certain cases
(A) General application of site neutral IPPS payment amount for discharges failing to meet applicable criteria
(i) In general
(ii) Exception for certain discharges meeting criteriaClause (i) shall not apply (and payment shall be made to a long-term care hospital without regard to this paragraph) for a discharge if—(I) the discharge meets the ICU criterion under clause (iii) or the ventilator criterion under clause (iv); and(II) the discharge does not have a principal diagnosis relating to a psychiatric diagnosis or to rehabilitation.
(iii) Intensive care unit (ICU) criterion(I) In general(II) Determining ICU days
(iv) Ventilator criterionThe criterion specified in this clause (in this paragraph referred to as the “ventilator criterion”), for a discharge from a long-term care hospital, is that—(I) the stay in the long-term care hospital ending with such discharge was immediately preceded by a discharge from a stay in a subsection (d) hospital; and(II) the individual discharged was assigned to a Medicare-Severity-Long-Term-Care-Diagnosis-Related-Group (MS–LTC–DRG) based on the receipt of ventilator services of at least 96 hours.
(B) Applicable site neutral payment rate defined
(i) In generalIn this paragraph, the term “applicable site neutral payment rate” means—(I) for discharges in cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal years 2016 through 2019, the blended payment rate specified in clause (iii); and(II) for discharges in cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 2020 or a subsequent fiscal year, the site neutral payment rate (as defined in clause (ii)).
(ii) Site neutral payment rate definedSubject to clause (iv), in this paragraph, the term “site neutral payment rate” means the lower of—(I) the IPPS comparable per diem amount determined under paragraph (d)(4) of section 412.529 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, including any applicable outlier payments under section 412.525 of such title; or(II) 100 percent of the estimated cost for the services involved.
(iii) Blended payment rateThe blended payment rate specified in this clause, for a long-term care hospital for inpatient hospital services for a discharge, is comprised of—(I) half of the site neutral payment rate (as defined in clause (ii)) for the discharge; and(II) half of the payment rate that would otherwise be applicable to such discharge without regard to this paragraph, as determined by the Secretary.
(iv) Adjustment
(C) Limiting payment for all hospital discharges to site neutral payment rate for hospitals failing to meet applicable LTCH discharge thresholds
(i) Notice of LTCH discharge payment percentage
(ii) LimitationFor cost reporting periods beginning during or after fiscal year 2020, if the Secretary determines for a long-term care hospital that its LTCH discharge payment percentage for the period is not at least 50 percent—(I) the Secretary shall inform the hospital of such fact; and(II) subject to clause (iii), for all discharges in the hospital in each succeeding cost reporting period, the payment amount under this subsection shall be the payment amount that would apply under subsection (d) for the discharge if the hospital were a subsection (d) hospital.
(iii) Process for reinstatement
(iv) LTCH discharge payment percentageIn this subparagraph, the term “LTCH discharge payment percentage” means, with respect to a long-term care hospital for a cost reporting period beginning during or after fiscal year 2020, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of—(I) the number of Medicare fee-for-service discharges for such hospital and period for which payment is not made at the site neutral payment rate, to(II) the total number of Medicare fee-for-service discharges for such hospital and period.
(D) Inclusion of subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospitals
(E) Temporary exception for certain severe wound discharges from certain long-term care hospitals
(i) In generalIn the case of a discharge occurring prior to January 1, 2017, subparagraph (A)(i) shall not apply (and payment shall be made to a long-term care hospital without regard to this paragraph) if such discharge—(I) is from a long-term care hospital that is—(aa) identified by the last sentence of subsection (d)(1)(B); and(bb) located in a rural area (as defined in subsection (d)(2)(D)) or treated as being so located pursuant to subsection (d)(8)(E); and(II) the individual discharged has a severe wound.
(ii) Severe wound defined
(F) Temporary exception for certain spinal cord specialty hospitalsFor discharges in cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal years 2018 and 2019, subparagraph (A)(i) shall not apply (and payment shall be made to a long-term care hospital without regard to this paragraph) if such discharge is from a long-term care hospital that meets each of the following requirements:
(i) Not-for-profit
(ii) Primarily providing treatment for catastrophic spinal cord or acquired brain injuries or other paralyzing neuromuscular conditions
(iii) Significant out-of-state admissions(I) In general(II) Implementation(III) Non-application of Paperwork Reduction Act
(G) Additional temporary exception for certain severe wound discharges from certain long-term care hospitals
(i) In generalFor a discharge occurring in a cost reporting period beginning during fiscal year 2018, subparagraph (A)(i) shall not apply (and payment shall be made to a long-term care hospital without regard to this paragraph) if such discharge—(I) is from a long-term care hospital identified by the last sentence of subsection (d)(1)(B);(II) is classified under MS–LTCH–DRG 602, 603, 539, or 540; and(III) is with respect to an individual treated by a long-term care hospital for a severe wound.
(ii) Severe wound defined
(iii) Wound defined
(7) Treatment of high cost outlier payments
(A) Adjustment to the standard Federal payment rate for estimated high cost outlier payments
(B) Limitation on high cost outlier payment amounts
(C) Waiver of budget neutrality
(D) No effect on site neutral high cost outlier payment rate
(n) Incentives for adoption and meaningful use of certified EHR technology
(1) In general
(2) Payment amount
(A) In generalSubject to the succeeding subparagraphs of this paragraph, the applicable amount specified in this subparagraph for an eligible hospital for a payment year is equal to the product of the following:
(i) Initial amountThe sum of—(I) the base amount specified in subparagraph (B); plus(II) the discharge related amount specified in subparagraph (C) for a 12-month period selected by the Secretary with respect to such payment year.
(ii) Medicare share
(iii) Transition factor
(B) Base amount
(C) Discharge related amountThe discharge related amount specified in this subparagraph for a 12-month period selected by the Secretary shall be determined as the sum of the amount, estimated based upon total discharges for the eligible hospital (regardless of any source of payment) for the period, for each discharge up to the 23,000th discharge as follows:
(i) For the first through 1,149th discharge, $0.
(ii) For the 1,150th through the 23,000th discharge, $200.
(iii) For any discharge greater than the 23,000th, $0.
(D) Medicare shareThe Medicare share specified under this subparagraph for an eligible hospital for a period selected by the Secretary for a payment year is equal to the fraction—
(i) the numerator of which is the sum (for such period and with respect to the eligible hospital) of—(I) the estimated number of inpatient-bed-days (as established by the Secretary) which are attributable to individuals with respect to whom payment may be made under part A; and(II) the estimated number of inpatient-bed-days (as so established) which are attributable to individuals who are enrolled with a Medicare Advantage organization under part C; and
(ii) the denominator of which is the product of—(I) the estimated total number of inpatient-bed-days with respect to the eligible hospital during such period; and(II) the estimated total amount of the eligible hospital’s charges during such period, not including any charges that are attributable to charity care (as such term is used for purposes of hospital cost reporting under this subchapter), divided by the estimated total amount of the hospital’s charges during such period.
Insofar as the Secretary determines that data are not available on charity care necessary to calculate the portion of the formula specified in clause (ii)(II), the Secretary shall use data on uncompensated care and may adjust such data so as to be an appropriate proxy for charity care including a downward adjustment to eliminate bad debt data from uncompensated care data. In the absence of the data necessary, with respect to a hospital, for the Secretary to compute the amount described in clause (ii)(II), the amount under such clause shall be deemed to be 1. In the absence of data, with respect to a hospital, necessary to compute the amount described in clause (i)(II), the amount under such clause shall be deemed to be 0.
(E) Transition factor specified
(i) In generalSubject to clause (ii), the transition factor specified in this subparagraph for an eligible hospital for a payment year is as follows:(I) For the first payment year for such hospital, 1.(II) For the second payment year for such hospital, ¾.(III) For the third payment year for such hospital, ½.(IV) For the fourth payment year for such hospital, ¼.(V) For any succeeding payment year for such hospital, 0.
(ii) Phase down for eligible hospitals first adopting EHR after 2013
(F) Form of payment
(G) Payment year defined
(i) In general
(ii) First, second, etc. payment year
(3) Meaningful EHR user
(A) In generalFor purposes of paragraph (1), an eligible hospital shall be treated as a meaningful EHR user for an EHR reporting period for a payment year (or, for purposes of subsection (b)(3)(B)(ix), for an EHR reporting period under such subsection for a fiscal year) if each of the following requirements are met:
(i) Meaningful use of certified EHR technology
(ii) Information exchange
(iii) Reporting on measures using EHR
The Secretary shall seek to improve the use of electronic health records and health care quality over time.
(B) Reporting on measures
(i) SelectionThe Secretary shall select measures for purposes of subparagraph (A)(iii) but only consistent with the following:(I) The Secretary shall provide preference to clinical quality measures that have been selected for purposes of applying subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii) or that have been endorsed by the entity with a contract with the Secretary under section 1395aaa(a) of this title.(II) Prior to any measure (other than a clinical quality measure that has been selected for purposes of applying subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii)) being selected under this subparagraph, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register such measure and provide for a period of public comment on such measure.
(ii) Limitations
(iii) Coordination of reporting of information
(C) Demonstration of meaningful use of certified EHR technology and information exchange
(i) In generalAn eligible hospital may satisfy the demonstration requirement of clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) through means specified by the Secretary, which may include—(I) an attestation;(II) the submission of claims with appropriate coding (such as a code indicating that inpatient care was documented using certified EHR technology);(III) a survey response;(IV) reporting under subparagraph (A)(iii); and(V) other means specified by the Secretary.
(ii) Use of part D data
(4) Application
(A) Limitations on reviewThere shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1395ff of this title, section 1395oo of this title, or otherwise, of—
(i) the methodology and standards for determining payment amounts under this subsection and payment adjustments under subsection (b)(3)(B)(ix), including selection of periods under paragraph (2) for determining, and making estimates or using proxies of, discharges under paragraph (2)(C) and inpatient-bed-days, hospital charges, charity charges, and Medicare share under paragraph (2)(D);
(ii) the methodology and standards for determining a meaningful EHR user under paragraph (3), including selection of measures under paragraph (3)(B), specification of the means of demonstrating meaningful EHR use under paragraph (3)(C), and the hardship exception under subsection (b)(3)(B)(ix)(II); and
(iii) the specification of EHR reporting periods under paragraph (6)(B) 16
16 So in original. Probably should be “(6)(A)”.
and the selection of the form of payment under paragraph (2)(F).
(B) Posting on website
(5) Certified EHR technology defined
(6) DefinitionsFor purposes of this subsection:
(A) EHR reporting period
(B) Eligible hospital
(o) Hospital value-based purchasing program
(1) Establishment
(A) In general
(B) Program to begin in fiscal year 2013
(C) Applicability of Program to hospitals
(i) In general
(ii) ExclusionsThe term “hospital” shall not include, with respect to a fiscal year, a hospital—(I) that is subject to the payment reduction under subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii)(I) for such fiscal year;(II) for which, during the performance period for such fiscal year, the Secretary has cited deficiencies that pose immediate jeopardy to the health or safety of patients;(III) for which there are not a minimum number (as determined by the Secretary) of measures that apply to the hospital for the performance period for such fiscal year; or(IV) for which there are not a minimum number (as determined by the Secretary) of cases for the measures that apply to the hospital for the performance period for such fiscal year.
(iii) Independent analysis
(iv) Exemption
(2) Measures
(A) In general
(B) Requirements
(i) For fiscal year 2013For value-based incentive payments made with respect to discharges occurring during fiscal year 2013, the Secretary shall ensure the following:(I) Conditions or proceduresMeasures are selected under subparagraph (A) that cover at least the following 5 specific conditions or procedures:(aa) Acute myocardial infarction (AMI).(bb) Heart failure.(cc) Pneumonia.(dd) Surgeries, as measured by the Surgical Care Improvement Project (formerly referred to as “Surgical Infection Prevention” for discharges occurring before July 2006).(ee) Healthcare-associated infections, as measured by the prevention metrics and targets established in the HHS Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections (or any successor plan) of the Department of Health and Human Services.(II) HCAHPS
(ii) Inclusion of efficiency measures
(iii) HCAHPS pain questions
(C) Limitations
(i) Time requirement for prior reporting and notice
(ii) Measure not applicable unless hospital furnishes services appropriate to the measure
(D) Replacing measures
(3) Performance standards
(A) Establishment
(B) Achievement and improvement
(C) Timing
(D) Considerations in establishing standardsIn establishing performance standards with respect to measures under this paragraph, the Secretary shall take into account appropriate factors, such as—
(i) practical experience with the measures involved, including whether a significant proportion of hospitals failed to meet the performance standard during previous performance periods;
(ii) historical performance standards;
(iii) improvement rates; and
(iv) the opportunity for continued improvement.
(4) Performance period
(5) Hospital performance score
(A) In general
(B) Application
(i) Appropriate distribution
(ii) Higher of achievement or improvement
(iii) Weights
(iv) No minimum performance standard
(v) Reflection of measures applicable to the hospital
(6) Calculation of value-based incentive payments
(A) In general
(B) Value-based incentive payment amountThe value-based incentive payment amount for each discharge of a hospital in a fiscal year shall be equal to the product of—
(i) the base operating DRG payment amount (as defined in paragraph (7)(D)) for the discharge for the hospital for such fiscal year; and
(ii) the value-based incentive payment percentage specified under subparagraph (C) for the hospital for such fiscal year.
(C) Value-based incentive payment percentage
(i) In general
(ii) RequirementsIn specifying the value-based incentive payment percentage for each hospital for a fiscal year under clause (i), the Secretary shall ensure that—(I) such percentage is based on the hospital performance score of the hospital under paragraph (5); and(II) the total amount of value-based incentive payments under this paragraph to all hospitals in such fiscal year is equal to the total amount available for value-based incentive payments for such fiscal year under paragraph (7)(A), as estimated by the Secretary.
(7) Funding for value-based incentive payments
(A) Amount
(B) Adjustment to payments
(i) In general
(ii) No effect on other payments
(C) Applicable percent definedFor purposes of subparagraph (B), the term “applicable percent” means—
(i) with respect to fiscal year 2013, 1.0 percent;
(ii) with respect to fiscal year 2014, 1.25 percent;
(iii) with respect to fiscal year 2015, 1.5 percent;
(iv) with respect to fiscal year 2016, 1.75 percent; and
(v) with respect to fiscal year 2017 and succeeding fiscal years, 2 percent.
(D) Base operating DRG payment amount defined
(i) In generalExcept as provided in clause (ii), in this subsection, the term “base operating DRG payment amount” means, with respect to a hospital for a fiscal year—(I) the payment amount that would otherwise be made under subsection (d) (determined without regard to subsection (q)) for a discharge if this subsection did not apply; reduced by(II) any portion of such payment amount that is attributable to—(aa) payments under paragraphs (5)(A), (5)(B), (5)(F), and (12) of subsection (d); and(bb) such other payments under subsection (d) determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(ii) Special rules for certain hospitals(I) Sole community hospitals and medicare-dependent, small rural hospitals(II) Hospitals paid under section 1395f
(8) Announcement of net result of adjustments
(9) No effect in subsequent fiscal years
(10) Public reporting
(A) Hospital specific information
(i) In generalThe Secretary shall make information available to the public regarding the performance of individual hospitals under the Program, including—(I) the performance of the hospital with respect to each measure that applies to the hospital;(II) the performance of the hospital with respect to each condition or procedure; and(III) the hospital performance score assessing the total performance of the hospital.
(ii) Opportunity to review and submit corrections
(iii) Website
(B) Aggregate informationThe Secretary shall periodically post on the Hospital Compare Internet website aggregate information on the Program, including—
(i) the number of hospitals receiving value-based incentive payments under paragraph (6) and the range and total amount of such value-based incentive payments; and
(ii) the number of hospitals receiving less than the maximum value-based incentive payment available to the hospital for the fiscal year involved and the range and amount of such payments.
(11) Implementation
(A) Appeals
(B) Limitation on reviewExcept as provided in subparagraph (A), there shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1395ff of this title, section 1395oo of this title, or otherwise of the following:
(i) The methodology used to determine the amount of the value-based incentive payment under paragraph (6) and the determination of such amount.
(ii) The determination of the amount of funding available for such value-based incentive payments under paragraph (7)(A) and the payment reduction under paragraph (7)(B)(i).
(iii) The establishment of the performance standards under paragraph (3) and the performance period under paragraph (4).
(iv) The measures specified under subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii) and the measures selected under paragraph (2).
(v) The methodology developed under paragraph (5) that is used to calculate hospital performance scores and the calculation of such scores.
(vi) The validation methodology specified in subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii)(XI).
(C) Consultation with small hospitals
(12) Promulgation of regulations
(p) Adjustment to hospital payments for hospital acquired conditions
(1) In general
(2) Applicable hospitals
(A) In general
(B) Criteria described
(i) In general
(ii) Risk adjustment
(C) Exemption
(3) Hospital acquired conditions
(4) Applicable period
(5) Reporting to hospitals
(6) Reporting hospital specific information
(A) In general
(B) Opportunity to review and submit corrections
(C) Website
(7) Limitations on reviewThere shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1395ff of this title, section 1395oo of this title, or otherwise of the following:
(A) The criteria described in paragraph (2)(A).
(B) The specification of hospital acquired conditions under paragraph (3).
(C) The specification of the applicable period under paragraph (4).
(D) The provision of reports to applicable hospitals under paragraph (5) and the information made available to the public under paragraph (6).
(q) Hospital readmissions reduction program
(1) In generalWith respect to payment for discharges from an applicable hospital (as defined in paragraph (5)(C)) occurring during a fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 2012, in order to account for excess readmissions in the hospital, the Secretary shall make payments (in addition to the payments described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii)) for such a discharge to such hospital under subsection (d) (or section 1395f(b)(3) of this title, as the case may be) in an amount equal to the product of—
(A) the base operating DRG payment amount (as defined in paragraph (2)) for the discharge; and
(B) the adjustment factor (described in paragraph (3)(A)) for the hospital for the fiscal year.
(2) Base operating DRG payment amount defined
(A) In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), in this subsection, the term “base operating DRG payment amount” means, with respect to a hospital for a fiscal year—
(i) the payment amount that would otherwise be made under subsection (d) (determined without regard to subsection (o)) for a discharge if this subsection did not apply; reduced by
(ii) any portion of such payment amount that is attributable to payments under paragraphs (5)(A), (5)(B), (5)(F), and (12) of subsection (d).
(B) Special rules for certain hospitals
(i) Sole community hospitals and medicare-dependent, small rural hospitals
(ii) Hospitals paid under section 1395f of this title
(3) Adjustment factor
(A) In generalFor purposes of paragraph (1), subject to subparagraph (D), the adjustment factor under this paragraph for an applicable hospital for a fiscal year is equal to the greater of—
(i) the ratio described in subparagraph (B) for the hospital for the applicable period (as defined in paragraph (5)(D)) for such fiscal year; or
(ii) the floor adjustment factor specified in subparagraph (C).
(B) RatioThe ratio described in this subparagraph for a hospital for an applicable period is equal to 1 minus the ratio of—
(i) the aggregate payments for excess readmissions (as defined in paragraph (4)(A)) with respect to an applicable hospital for the applicable period; and
(ii) the aggregate payments for all discharges (as defined in paragraph (4)(B)) with respect to such applicable hospital for such applicable period.
(C) Floor adjustment factorFor purposes of subparagraph (A), the floor adjustment factor specified in this subparagraph for—
(i) fiscal year 2013 is 0.99;
(ii) fiscal year 2014 is 0.98; or
(iii) fiscal year 2015 and subsequent fiscal years is 0.97.
(D) Transitional adjustment for dual eligibles
(i) In general
(ii) Defining groups
(iii) Minimizing reporting burden on hospitals
(iv) Budget neutral design methodology
(E) Changes in risk adjustment
(i) Consideration of recommendations in IMPACT reports
(ii) Consideration of exclusion of patient cases based on V or other appropriate codes
(iii) Removal of certain readmissions
(4) Aggregate payments, excess readmission ratio definedFor purposes of this subsection:
(A) Aggregate payments for excess readmissionsThe term “aggregate payments for excess readmissions” means, for a hospital for an applicable period, the sum, for applicable conditions (as defined in paragraph (5)(A)), of the product, for each applicable condition, of—
(i) the base operating DRG payment amount for such hospital for such applicable period for such condition;
(ii) the number of admissions for such condition for such hospital for such applicable period; and
(iii) the excess readmissions ratio (as defined in subparagraph (C)) for such hospital for such applicable period minus 1.
(B) Aggregate payments for all discharges
(C) Excess readmission ratio
(i) In generalSubject to clause (ii), the term “excess readmissions ratio” means, with respect to an applicable condition for a hospital for an applicable period, the ratio (but not less than 1.0) of—(I) the risk adjusted readmissions based on actual readmissions, as determined consistent with a readmission measure methodology that has been endorsed under paragraph (5)(A)(ii)(I), for an applicable hospital for such condition with respect to such applicable period; to(II) the risk adjusted expected readmissions (as determined consistent with such a methodology) for such hospital for such condition with respect to such applicable period.
(ii) Exclusion of certain readmissions
(5) DefinitionsFor purposes of this subsection:
(A) Applicable conditionThe term “applicable condition” means, subject to subparagraph (B), a condition or procedure selected by the Secretary among conditions and procedures for which—
(i) readmissions (as defined in subparagraph (E)) that represent conditions or procedures that are high volume or high expenditures under this subchapter (or other criteria specified by the Secretary); and
(ii) measures of such readmissions—(I) have been endorsed by the entity with a contract under section 1395aaa(a) of this title; and(II) such endorsed measures have exclusions for readmissions that are unrelated to the prior discharge (such as a planned readmission or transfer to another applicable hospital).
(B) Expansion of applicable conditions
(C) Applicable hospital
(D) Applicable period
(E) Readmission
(6) Reporting hospital specific information
(A) In general
(B) Opportunity to review and submit corrections
(C) Website
(7) Limitations on reviewThere shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1395ff of this title, section 1395oo of this title, or otherwise of the following:
(A) The determination of base operating DRG payment amounts.
(B) The methodology for determining the adjustment factor under paragraph (3), including excess readmissions ratio under paragraph (4)(C), aggregate payments for excess readmissions under paragraph (4)(A), and aggregate payments for all discharges under paragraph (4)(B), and applicable periods and applicable conditions under paragraph (5).
(C) The measures of readmissions as described in paragraph (5)(A)(ii).
(8) Readmission rates for all patients
(A) Calculation of readmission
(B) Posting of hospital specific all patient readmission rates
(C) Hospital submission of all patient data
(i) Except as provided for in clause (ii), each specified hospital (as defined in subparagraph (D)(ii)) shall submit to the Secretary, in a form, manner and time specified by the Secretary, data and information determined necessary by the Secretary for the Secretary to calculate the all patient readmission rates described in subparagraph (A).
(ii) Instead of a specified hospital submitting to the Secretary the data and information described in clause (i), such data and information may be submitted to the Secretary, on behalf of such a specified hospital, by a state or an entity determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(D) DefinitionsFor purposes of this paragraph:
(i) The term “all patients” means patients who are treated on an inpatient basis and discharged from a specified hospital (as defined in clause (ii)).
(ii) The term “specified hospital” means a subsection (d) hospital, hospitals described in clauses (i) through (v) of subsection (d)(1)(B) and, as determined feasible and appropriate by the Secretary, other hospitals not otherwise described in this subparagraph.
(r) Adjustments to medicare DSH payments
(1) Empirically justified DSH payments
(2) Additional paymentIn addition to the payment made to a subsection (d) hospital under paragraph (1), for fiscal year 2014 and each subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary shall pay to such subsection (d) hospitals an additional amount equal to the product of the following factors:
(A) Factor oneA factor equal to the difference between—
(i) the aggregate amount of payments that would be made to subsection (d) hospitals under subsection (d)(5)(F) if this subsection did not apply for such fiscal year (as estimated by the Secretary); and
(ii) the aggregate amount of payments that are made to subsection (d) hospitals under paragraph (1) for such fiscal year (as so estimated).
(B) Factor two
(i) Fiscal years 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017For each of fiscal years 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, a factor equal to 1 minus the percent change in the percent of individuals under the age of 65 who are uninsured, as determined by comparing the percent of such individuals—(I) who are uninsured in 2013, the last year before coverage expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (as calculated by the Secretary based on the most recent estimates available from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office before a vote in either House on the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 that, if determined in the affirmative, would clear such Act for enrollment); and(II) who are uninsured in the most recent period for which data is available (as so calculated),
 minus 0.1 percentage points for fiscal year 2014 and minus 0.2 percentage points for each of fiscal years 2015, 2016, and 2017.
(ii) 2018 and subsequent yearsFor fiscal year 2018 and each subsequent fiscal year, a factor equal to 1 minus the percent change in the percent of individuals who are uninsured, as determined by comparing the percent of individuals—(I) who are uninsured in 2013 (as estimated by the Secretary, based on data from the Census Bureau or other sources the Secretary determines appropriate, and certified by the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services); and(II) who are uninsured in the most recent period for which data is available (as so estimated and certified),
 minus 0.2 percentage points for each of fiscal years 2018 and 2019.
(C) Factor threeA factor equal to the percent, for each subsection (d) hospital, that represents the quotient of—
(i) the amount of uncompensated care for such hospital for a period selected by the Secretary (as estimated by the Secretary, based on appropriate data (including, in the case where the Secretary determines that alternative data is available which is a better proxy for the costs of subsection (d) hospitals for treating the uninsured, the use of such alternative data)); and
(ii) the aggregate amount of uncompensated care for all subsection (d) hospitals that receive a payment under this subsection for such period (as so estimated, based on such data).
(3) Limitations on reviewThere shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1395ff of this title, section 1395oo of this title, or otherwise of the following:
(A) Any estimate of the Secretary for purposes of determining the factors described in paragraph (2).
(B) Any period selected by the Secretary for such purposes.
(s) Prospective payment for psychiatric hospitals
(1) Reference to establishment and implementation of system
(2) Implementation for rate year beginning in 2010 and subsequent rate years
(A) In generalIn implementing the system described in paragraph (1) for the rate year beginning in 2010 and any subsequent rate year, any update to a base rate for days during the rate year for a psychiatric hospital or unit, respectively, shall be reduced—
(i) for the rate year beginning in 2012 and each subsequent rate year, by the productivity adjustment described in subsection (b)(3)(B)(xi)(II); and
(ii) for each of the rate years beginning in 2010 through 2019, by the other adjustment described in paragraph (3).
(B) Special rule
(3) Other adjustmentFor purposes of paragraph (2)(A)(ii), the other adjustment described in this paragraph is—
(A) for each of the rate years beginning in 2010 and 2011, 0.25 percentage point;
(B) for each of the rate years beginning in 2012 and 2013, 0.1 percentage point;
(C) for the rate year beginning in 2014, 0.3 percentage point;
(D) for each of the rate years beginning in 2015 and 2016, 0.2 percentage point; and
(E) for each of the rate years beginning in 2017, 2018, and 2019, 0.75 percentage point.
(4) Quality reporting
(A) Reduction in update for failure to report
(i) In general
(ii) Special rule
(B) Noncumulative application
(C) Submission of quality data
(D) Quality measures
(i) In general
(ii) Exception
(iii) Time frame
(iv) Patients’ perspective on careNot later than for rate year 2031, the quality measures specified under this subparagraph shall include a quality measure of patients’ perspective on care.(I) In general(II) Funding
(E) Standardized patient assessment data
(i) In general
(ii) Standardized patient assessment data describedFor purposes of clause (i), the standardized patient assessment data described in this clause, with respect to a psychiatric hospital or psychiatric unit, is data with respect to the following categories:
(I) Functional status, such as mobility and self-care at admission to a psychiatric hospital or unit and before discharge from a psychiatric hospital or unit.
(II) Cognitive function, such as ability to express ideas and to understand, and mental status, such as depression and dementia.
(III) Special services, treatments, and interventions for psychiatric conditions.
(IV) Medical conditions and co-morbidities, such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, and pressure ulcers.
(V) Impairments, such as incontinence and an impaired ability to hear, see, or swallow.
(VI) Other categories as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(iii) Standardized assessment instrument
(F) Public availability of data submitted
(5) Additional data and information
(A) In general
(B) Data and informationThe data and information to be collected under subparagraph (A) may include—
(i) charges, including those related to ancillary services;
(ii) the required intensity of behavioral monitoring, such as cognitive deficit, suicide ideations, violent behavior, and need for physical restraint; and
(iii) interventions, such as detoxification services for substance abuse, dependence on respirator, total parenteral nutritional support, dependence on renal dialysis, and burn care.
(C) Method of collection
(D) Revisions to payment rates
(i) In general
(ii) Review
(iii) Budget neutrality
(6) Additional considerations for diagnosis-related group classifications
(A) In general
(B) Budget neutrality
(t) Relating similar inpatient and outpatient hospital services
(1) Development of HCPCS version of MS–DRG codes
(2) Coverage of surgical MS–DRGs
(3) Publication and dissemination of the HCPCS versions of MS–DRGs
(A) In general
(B) Use of previous analysis done by MedPAC
(4) Definition and referenceIn this subsection:
(A) HCPCS
(B) ICD–10–PCS
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1886, as added and amended Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §§ 101(a)(1), 110, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 331, 339; Pub. L. 97–448, title III, § 309(b)(13)–(15), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2409; Pub. L. 98–21, title VI, § 601(a)(1), (2), (b), (c), (d)(2), (e), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 149, 150, 152; Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, §§ 2307(b)(1), 2310(a), 2311(a)–(c), 2312(a), (b), 2313(a), (b), (d), 2315(a)–(c), 2354(b)(42)–(44), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1073, 1075–1080, 1102; Pub. L. 98–617, § 3(b)(9), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3296; Pub. L. 99–272, title IX, §§ 9101(b), (c), 9102(a)–(c), 9104(a), (b), 9105(a)–(c), 9106(a), 9107(a), 9109(a), 9111(a), 9127(a), 9202(a), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 153–155, 157–162, 170, 171; Pub. L. 99–349, title II, § 206, July 2, 1986, 100 Stat. 749; Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, §§ 9302(a)(1), (2), (b)(1), (c), (d)(1)(A), (e), 9303, 9304(a)–(c), 9306(a)–(c), 9307(c)(1), 9314(a), 9320(g), 9321(e)(2), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1982–1985, 1988, 1995, 2005, 2015, 2018; Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, title XVIII, § 1895(b)(1)(A)–(C), (2)(A)–(C), (3), (9), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, 2931–2933; Pub. L. 100–93, § 8(c)(4), Aug. 18, 1987, 101 Stat. 693; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §§ 4002(a)–(f)(1), 4003(a)–(c), 4004(a), 4005(a)(1), (c)(1), (d)(1)(A), 4006(a)–(b)(2), 4007(b)(1), 4009(d)(1), (j)(1)–(6)(B), 4083(b)(1), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–42 to 1330–44, 1330–46, 1330–47, 1330–49, 1330–52, 1330–53, 1330–57 to 1330–59, 1330–129, as amended Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, § 411(b)(1)(E), (3), (4)(C)(i), (5)(B), (6)(B), (8)(B), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 769, 770, 772; Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, § 411(b)(1)(A)–(D), (F)–(H)(i), (4)(A), (B), (5)(A), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 768–770; Pub. L. 100–485, title VI, § 608(d)(18)(A), (B), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2418; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1018(r)(1), title VIII, §§ 8401, 8403(a), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3586, 3798; Pub. L. 101–234, title III, § 301(b)(3), (c)(3), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1985, 1986; Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, §§ 6002, 6003(a)(1), (b)–(c)(3), (e)(1), (2)(B)–(E), (f), (g)(2), (4)–(h)(4), (6), 6004(a)(1), (2), (b)(1), 6011(a), 6015(a), 6022, Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2140–2144, 2151, 2154–2157, 2159–2161, 2164, 2167; Pub. L. 101–403, title I, § 115(b)(1), Oct. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 870; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, §§ 4001, 4002(a)(1), (b)(1)–(4), (c)(1), (2), (e)(1), (g)(1), (2), (h)(1)(A), (2)(B), 4003(a), 4005(a)(1), (c)(1)(B), (2), 4008(f)(1), (m)(2)(A), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–31 to 1388–38, 1388–40, 1388–42, 1388–45, 1388–53; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, §§ 13501(a), (b)(1), (c), (e)(1), (f), 13502, 13506, 13563(a), (b)(1), (c)(1), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 572, 574, 575, 577, 579, 605; Pub. L. 103–432, title I, §§ 101(a)(1), (b), (c), 102(b)(1)(B), 105, 108–110(a), (c), 153(a), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4400–4402, 4405, 4407, 4408, 4437; Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, §§ 4022(b)(1)(A), 4201(c)(1), (4), 4202(a), 4204(a)(1), (2), 4401(a), 4402, 4403(a), 4405(a)–(c), 4406, 4407, 4411–4415(c), 4416, 4417(a)(1), (b)(1), 4418(a), 4419(a)(1), 4421(a), (b), 4621–4626(a), 4627(a), 4644(a)(1), (b)(1), (c)(1), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 354, 373–375, 397, 398, 400, 401, 403–410, 413, 475–480, 483, 488; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(6) [title I, §§ 111(a), (c), 112(a), 121(a), 122, 125(a), title III, §§ 311, 312(a), 321(b), (e), (f), (h), (k)(15)–(17), title IV, §§ 401(a), 402(a), 404(a), (b)(1), 405–407(a)(2), (b)(1), (2), (c)(1), title V, § 541], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–329 to 1501A–332, 1501A–362 to 150A–366, 1501A–368, 1501A–369, 1501A–372 to 1501A–374, 1501A–391; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(4) [div. B, title I, § 152(a), (b)], § 1(a)(6) [title II, §§ 211, 212(a), 213(a), title III, §§ 301(a), (e)(1), 302(a), (c), (d), 303(a), (c), (d)(1), 304(a), (c)(2), 305(a), (b), 307(a)(1), title V, §§ 511, 512(a), 533(b)(1), (3)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–251, 2763A–252, 2763A–483, 2763A–485, 2763A–491 to 2763A–496, 2763A–533, 2763A–548, 2763A–550; Pub. L. 108–173, title IV, §§ 401(a)–(c), 402, 403, 406, 407(a), 422(a), (b)(1), title V, §§ 501(a), (b), 502(a), (b), 503(a)–(d)(1), 504, 505(a), title VII, §§ 711, 736(a)(9), (15), (c)(6), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2262–2265, 2269, 2270, 2284, 2286, 2289–2293, 2340, 2355, 2356; Pub. L. 109–171, title V, §§ 5001(a), (c), 5002(a), 5003(a)(1), (2)(A), (b)–(d), Feb. 8, 2006, 120 Stat. 28, 30–32; Pub. L. 109–432, div. B, title I, §§ 106(c), 109(a)(2), title II, § 205(b)(1), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2983, 2985, 2989; Pub. L. 110–161, div. G, title II, § 225(a), (b)(1), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2189; Pub. L. 110–173, title I, §§ 114(e)(1), 115(a)(1), Dec. 29, 2007, 121 Stat. 2504, 2506; Pub. L. 110–275, title I, § 122, July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2514; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title IV, § 4102(a)(1), (b)(1), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 477, 482; Pub. L. 111–148, title III, §§ 3001(a)(1)–(3), 3004(a), (b), 3008(a), 3025(a), 3124(a), (b)(1), 3125, 3133, 3401(a), (c), (d), (f), title V, §§ 5503(a), (b), 5504(a), (b), 5505(a), (b), 5506(a), (b), (e), title X, §§ 10309, 10314, 10316, 10319(a)–(c), (e), 10322(a), 10324(a), 10335, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 353–360, 368, 369, 376, 408, 424, 425, 432, 480–483, 655, 658–663, 942, 944, 946, 948, 949, 952, 959, 974; Pub. L. 111–152, title I, §§ 1104–1105(d), Mar. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 1047, 1048; Pub. L. 111–192, title I, § 102(a), June 25, 2010, 124 Stat. 1281; Pub. L. 111–309, title II, § 203, Dec. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3289; Pub. L. 112–40, title II, § 261(a)(3)(A), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 423; Pub. L. 112–240, title VI, §§ 605–606(b)(1), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2349; Pub. L. 113–67, div. B, title I, §§ 1105–1106(b)(1), title II, § 1206(a)(1), (c), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 1197, 1200, 1204; Pub. L. 113–93, title I, §§ 105–106(b)(1), 112(a), Apr. 1, 2014, 128 Stat. 1042, 1044; Pub. L. 113–185, § 2(c)(2), (3), Oct. 6, 2014, 128 Stat. 1963, 1964; Pub. L. 114–10, title I, § 106(b)(2)(B), title II, §§ 204–205(b)(1), title IV, § 411(b), (e), Apr. 16, 2015, 129 Stat. 139, 144, 145, 161, 162; Pub. L. 114–113, div. H, title II, § 231, div. O, title VI, §§ 601–602(b)(1), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2626, 3023, 3024; Pub. L. 114–115, § 4(b), Dec. 28, 2015, 129 Stat. 3133; Pub. L. 114–255, div. A, title IV, § 4002(b)(2), div. C, title XV, §§ 15001—15002(b), 15004(b), 15008(a), (b), (d)(2), 15009(a), 15010(a), Dec. 13, 2016, 130 Stat. 1161, 1315—1317, 1319, 1321–1323; Pub. L. 115–123, div. E, title II, §§ 50204(a), 50205(a), (b)(1), title IV, § 50413, title X, § 51005, title XII, § 53109(a), Feb. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 181–183, 221, 296, 303; Pub. L. 115–141, div. G, title IV, § 429, Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 693; Pub. L. 115–271, title VI, § 6104, Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 4006; Pub. L. 116–94, div. N, title I, § 108, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3102; Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title III, § 3710(a), Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 422; Pub. L. 116–260, div. CC, title I, §§ 126(a)–(c), 127, 131(a)–(c), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2967–2970, 2974, 2976; Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, § 9831, Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 221; Pub. L. 117–180, div. D, title I, §§ 101(a), 102(a), (b)(1), Sept. 30, 2022, 136 Stat. 2134, 2135; Pub. L. 117–229, div. C, title I, §§ 101(a), 102(a), (b)(1), Dec. 16, 2022, 136 Stat. 2310; Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title IV, §§ 4101(a), 4102(a), (b)(1), 4122, 4125, 4143(a), (b), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5895, 5896, 5903, 5910, 5930; Pub. L. 117–341, § 2(a), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6179; Pub. L. 118–42, div. G, title I, §§ 306(a), 307(a), (b)(1), Mar. 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 416, 417; Pub. L. 118–158, div. C, title II, §§ 3201(a), 3202(a), (b)(1), Dec. 21, 2024, 138 Stat. 1764; Pub. L. 119–4, div. B, title II, §§ 2201(a), 2202(a), (b)(1), Mar. 15, 2025, 139 Stat. 42; Pub. L. 119–37, div. F, title II, §§ 6201(a), 6202(a), (b)(1), Nov. 12, 2025, 139 Stat. 630, 631; Pub. L. 119–75, div. J, title II, §§ 6201(a), 6202(a), (b)(1), Feb. 3, 2026, 140 Stat. 645, 646.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395ww

§ 1395xx. Payment of provider-based physicians and payment under certain percentage arrangements
(a) Criteria; amount of payments
(1) The Secretary shall by regulation determine criteria for distinguishing those services (including inpatient and outpatient services) rendered in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities—
(A) which constitute professional medical services, which are personally rendered for an individual patient by a physician and which contribute to the diagnosis or treatment of an individual patient, and which may be reimbursed as physicians’ services under part B, and
(B) which constitute professional services which are rendered for the general benefit to patients in a hospital or skilled nursing facility and which may be reimbursed only on a reasonable cost basis or on the bases described in section 1395ww of this title.
(2)
(A) For purposes of cost reimbursement, the Secretary shall recognize as a reasonable cost of a hospital or skilled nursing facility only that portion of the costs attributable to services rendered by a physician in such hospital or facility which are services described in paragraph (1)(B), apportioned on the basis of the amount of time actually spent by such physician rendering such services.
(B) In determining the amount of the payments which may be made with respect to services described in paragraph (1)(B), after apportioning costs as required by subparagraph (A), the Secretary may not recognize as reasonable (in the efficient delivery of health services) such portion of the provider’s costs for such services to the extent that such costs exceed the reasonable compensation equivalent for such services. The reasonable compensation equivalent for any service shall be established by the Secretary in regulations.
(C) The Secretary may, upon a showing by a hospital or facility that it is unable to recruit or maintain an adequate number of physicians for the hospital or facility on account of the reimbursement limits established under this subsection, grant exceptions to such reimbursement limits as may be necessary to allow such provider to provide a compensation level sufficient to provide adequate physician services in such hospital or facility.
(b) Prohibition of recognition of payments under certain percentage agreements
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), in the case of a provider of services which is paid under this subchapter on a reasonable cost basis, or other basis related to costs that are reasonable, and which has entered into a contract for the purpose of having services furnished for or on behalf of it, the Secretary may not include any cost incurred by the provider under the contract if the amount payable under the contract by the provider for that cost is determined on the basis of a percentage (or other proportion) of the provider’s charges, revenues, or claim for reimbursement.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply—
(A) to services furnished by a physician and described in subsection (a)(1)(B) and covered by regulations in effect under subsection (a), and
(B) under regulations established by the Secretary, where the amount involved under the percentage contract is reasonable and the contract—
(i) is a customary commercial business practice, or
(ii) provides incentives for the efficient and economical operation of the provider of services.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1887, as added and amended Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §§ 108(a)[(1)], 109(a), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 337, 338; Pub. L. 98–21, title VI, § 602(j), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 165.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395xx

§ 1395yy. Payment to skilled nursing facilities for routine service costs
(a) Per diem limitationsThe Secretary, in determining the amount of the payments which may be made under this subchapter with respect to routine service costs of extended care services shall not recognize as reasonable (in the efficient delivery of health services) per diem costs of such services to the extent that such per diem costs exceed the following per diem limits, except as otherwise provided in this section:
(1) With respect to freestanding skilled nursing facilities located in urban areas, the limit shall be equal to 112 percent of the mean per diem routine service costs for freestanding skilled nursing facilities located in urban areas.
(2) With respect to freestanding skilled nursing facilities located in rural areas, the limit shall be equal to 112 percent of the mean per diem routine service costs for freestanding skilled nursing facilities located in rural areas.
(3) With respect to hospital-based skilled nursing facilities located in urban areas, the limit shall be equal to the sum of the limit for freestanding skilled nursing facilities located in urban areas, plus 50 percent of the amount by which 112 percent of the mean per diem routine service costs for hospital-based skilled nursing facilities located in urban areas exceeds the limit for freestanding skilled nursing facilities located in urban areas.
(4) With respect to hospital-based skilled nursing facilities located in rural areas, the limit shall be equal to the sum of the limit for freestanding skilled nursing facilities located in rural areas, plus 50 percent of the amount by which 112 percent of the mean per diem routine service costs for hospital-based skilled nursing facilities located in rural areas exceeds the limit for freestanding skilled nursing facilities located in rural areas.
In applying this subsection the Secretary shall make appropriate adjustments to the labor related portion of the costs based upon an appropriate wage index, and shall, for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1992, on or after October 1, 1995, and every 2 years thereafter, provide for an update to the per diem cost limits described in this subsection, except that the limits effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1997, shall be based on the limits effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1996.
(b) Excess overhead allocations for hospital-based facilities
(c) Adjustments in limitations; publication of data
(d) Access to skilled nursing facilities
(1) Subject to subsection (e), any skilled nursing facility may choose to be paid under this subsection on the basis of a prospective payment for all routine service costs (including the costs of services required to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident eligible for benefits under this subchapter) and capital-related costs of extended care services provided in a cost reporting period if such facility had, in the preceding cost reporting period, fewer than 1,500 patient days with respect to which payments were made under this subchapter. Such prospective payment shall be in lieu of payments which would otherwise be made for routine service costs pursuant to section 1395x(v) of this title and subsections (a) through (c) of this section and capital-related costs pursuant to section 1395x(v) of this title. This subsection shall not apply to a facility for any cost reporting period immediately following a cost reporting period in which such facility had 1,500 or more patient days with respect to which payments were made under this subchapter, without regard to whether payments were made under this subsection during such preceding cost reporting period.
(2)
(A) The amount of the payment under this section shall be determined on a per diem basis.
(B) Subject to the limitations of subparagraph (C), for skilled nursing facilities located—
(i) in an urban area, the amount shall be equal to 105 percent of the mean of the per diem reasonable routine service and capital-related costs of extended care services for skilled nursing facilities in urban areas within the same region, determined without regard to the limitations of subsection (a) and adjusted for different area wage levels, and
(ii) in a rural area the amount shall be equal to 105 percent of the mean of the per diem reasonable routine service and capital-related costs of extended care services for skilled nursing facilities in rural areas within the same region, determined without regard to the limitations of subsection (a) and adjusted for different area wage levels.
(C) The per diem amounts determined under subparagraph (B) shall not exceed the limit on routine service costs determined under subsection (a) with respect to the facility, adjusted to take into account average capital-related costs with respect to the type and location of the facility.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, urban and rural areas shall be determined in the same manner as for purposes of subsection (a), and the term “region” shall have the same meaning as under section 1395ww(d)(2)(D) of this title.
(4) The Secretary shall establish the prospective payment amounts for cost reporting periods beginning in a fiscal year at least 90 days prior to the beginning of such fiscal year, on the basis of the most recent data available for a 12-month period. A skilled nursing facility must notify the Secretary of its intention to be paid pursuant to this subsection for a cost reporting period no later than 30 days before the beginning of that period.
(5) The Secretary shall provide for a simplified cost report to be filed by facilities being paid pursuant to this subsection, which shall require only the cost information necessary for determining prospective payment amounts pursuant to paragraph (2) and reasonable costs of ancillary services.
(6) In lieu of payment on a cost basis for ancillary services provided by a facility which is being paid pursuant to this subsection, the Secretary may pay for such ancillary services on a reasonable charge basis if the Secretary determines that such payment basis will provide an equitable level of reimbursement and will ease the reporting burden of the facility.
(7) In computing the rates of payment to be made under this subsection, there shall be taken into account the costs described in the last sentence of section 1395x(v)(1)(E) of this title (relating to compliance with nursing facility requirements and of conducting nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs and competency evaluation programs).
(e) Prospective payment
(1) Payment provisionNotwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, subject to paragraphs (7), (11), and (12), the amount of the payment for all costs (as defined in paragraph (2)(B)) of covered skilled nursing facility services (as defined in paragraph (2)(A)) for each day of such services furnished—
(A) in a cost reporting period during the transition period (as defined in paragraph (2)(E)), is equal to the sum of—
(i) the non-Federal percentage of the facility-specific per diem rate (computed under paragraph (3)), and
(ii) the Federal percentage of the adjusted Federal per diem rate (determined under paragraph (4)) applicable to the facility; and
(B) after the transition period is equal to the adjusted Federal per diem rate applicable to the facility.
(2) DefinitionsFor purposes of this subsection:
(A) Covered skilled nursing facility services
(i) In generalThe term “covered skilled nursing facility services”—(I) means post-hospital extended care services as defined in section 1395x(i) of this title for which benefits are provided under part A; and(II) includes all items and services (other than items and services described in clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv)) for which payment may be made under part B and which are furnished to an individual who is a resident of a skilled nursing facility during the period in which the individual is provided covered post-hospital extended care services.
(ii) Services excluded
(iii) Exclusion of certain additional items and servicesItems and services described in this clause are the following:(I) Ambulance services furnished to an individual in conjunction with renal dialysis services described in section 1395x(s)(2)(F) of this title.(II) Chemotherapy items (identified as of July 1, 1999, by HCPCS codes J9000–J9020; J9040–J9151; J9170–J9185; J9200–J9201; J9206–J9208; J9211; J9230–J9245; and J9265–J9600 (and as subsequently modified by the Secretary)) and any additional chemotherapy items identified by the Secretary.(III) Chemotherapy administration services (identified as of July 1, 1999, by HCPCS codes 36260–36262; 36489; 36530–36535; 36640; 36823; and 96405–96542 (and as subsequently modified by the Secretary)) and any additional chemotherapy administration services identified by the Secretary.(IV) Radioisotope services (identified as of July 1, 1999, by HCPCS codes 79030–79440 (and as subsequently modified by the Secretary)) and any additional radioisotope services identified by the Secretary.(V) Customized prosthetic devices (commonly known as artificial limbs or components of artificial limbs) under the following HCPCS codes (as of July 1, 1999 (and as subsequently modified by the Secretary)), and any additional customized prosthetic devices identified by the Secretary, if delivered to an inpatient for use during the stay in the skilled nursing facility and intended to be used by the individual after discharge from the facility: L5050–L5340; L5500–L5611; L5613–L5986; L5988; L6050–L6370; L6400–L6880; L6920–L7274; and L7362–7366.(VI) Blood clotting factors indicated for the treatment of patients with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders (identified as of July 1, 2020, by HCPCS codes J7170, J7175, J7177–J7183, J7185–J7190, J7192–J7195, J7198–J7203, J7205, J7207–J7211, and as subsequently modified by the Secretary) and items and services related to the furnishing of such factors under section 1395u(o)(5)(C) of this title, and any additional blood clotting factors identified by the Secretary and items and services related to the furnishing of such factors under such section.
(iv) Exclusion of certain rural health clinic and federally qualified health center servicesServices described in this clause are—(I) rural health clinic services (as defined in paragraph (1) of section 1395x(aa) of this title); and(II) federally qualified health center services (as defined in paragraph (3) of such section);
 that would be described in clause (ii) if such services were furnished by an individual not affiliated with a rural health clinic or a federally qualified health center.
(B) All costs
(C) Non-Federal percentage; Federal percentageFor—
(i) the first cost reporting period (as defined in subparagraph (D)) of a facility, the “non-Federal percentage” is 75 percent and the “Federal percentage” is 25 percent;
(ii) the next cost reporting period of such facility, the “non-Federal percentage” is 50 percent and the “Federal percentage” is 50 percent; and
(iii) the subsequent cost reporting period of such facility, the “non-Federal percentage” is 25 percent and the “Federal percentage” is 75 percent.
(D) First cost reporting period
(E) Transition period
(i) In general
(ii) Treatment of new skilled nursing facilities
(3) Determination of facility specific per diem ratesThe Secretary shall determine a facility-specific per diem rate for each skilled nursing facility not described in paragraph (2)(E)(ii) for a cost reporting period as follows:
(A) Determining base paymentsThe Secretary shall determine, on a per diem basis, the total of—
(i) the allowable costs of extended care services for the facility for cost reporting periods beginning in fiscal year 1995, including costs associated with facilities described in subsection (d), with appropriate adjustments (as determined by the Secretary) to non-settled cost reports or, in the case of a facility participating in the Nursing Home Case-Mix and Quality Demonstration (RUGS–III), the RUGS–III rate received by the facility during the cost reporting period beginning in 1997, and
(ii) an estimate of the amounts that would be payable under part B (disregarding any applicable deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) for covered skilled nursing facility services described in paragraph (2)(A)(i)(II) furnished during the applicable cost reporting period described in clause (i) to an individual who is a resident of the facility, regardless of whether or not the payment was made to the facility or to another entity.
In making appropriate adjustments under clause (i), the Secretary shall take into account exceptions and shall take into account exemptions but, with respect to exemptions, only to the extent that routine costs do not exceed 150 percent of the routine cost limits otherwise applicable but for the exemption.
(B) Update to first cost reporting period
(C) Updating to applicable cost reporting period
(D) Facility-specific update factorFor purposes of this paragraph, the “facility-specific update factor” for cost reporting periods beginning during—
(i) during each of fiscal years 1998 and 1999, is equal to the skilled nursing facility market basket percentage increase for such fiscal year minus 1 percentage point, and
(ii) during each subsequent fiscal year is equal to the skilled nursing facility market basket percentage increase for such fiscal year.
(4) Federal per diem rate
(A) Determination of historical per diem for facilitiesFor each skilled nursing facility that received payments for post-hospital extended care services during a cost reporting period beginning in fiscal year 1995 and that was subject to (and not exempted from) the per diem limits referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) (and facilities described in subsection (d)), the Secretary shall estimate, on a per diem basis for such cost reporting period, the total of—
(i) the allowable costs of extended care services (excluding exceptions payments) for the facility for cost reporting periods beginning in 1995 with appropriate adjustments (as determined by the Secretary) to non-settled cost reports, and
(ii) an estimate of the amounts that would be payable under part B (disregarding any applicable deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) for covered skilled nursing facility services described in paragraph (2)(A)(i)(II) furnished during such period to an individual who is a resident of the facility, regardless of whether or not the payment was made to the facility or to another entity.
(B) Update to first fiscal year
(C) Computation of standardized per diem rateThe Secretary shall standardize the amount updated under subparagraph (B) for each facility by—
(i) adjusting for variations among facilities by area in the average facility wage level per diem, and
(ii) adjusting for variations in case mix per diem among facilities.
(D) Computation of weighted average per diem rates
(i) All facilities
(ii) Freestanding facilities
(iii) Separate computation
(E) Updating
(i) Initial period
(ii) Subsequent fiscal yearsThe Secretary shall compute an unadjusted Federal per diem rate equal to the Federal per diem rate computed under this subparagraph—(I) for fiscal year 2000, the rate computed for the initial period described in clause (i), increased by the skilled nursing facility market basket percentage change for the initial period minus 1 percentage point;(II) for fiscal year 2001, the rate computed for the previous fiscal year increased by the skilled nursing facility market basket percentage change for the fiscal year;(III) for each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003, the rate computed for the previous fiscal year increased by the skilled nursing facility market basket percentage change for the fiscal year involved minus 0.5 percentage points; and(IV) for each subsequent fiscal year, the rate computed for the previous fiscal year increased by the skilled nursing facility market basket percentage change for the fiscal year involved.
(F) Adjustment for case mix creep
(G) Determination of Federal rateThe Secretary shall compute for each skilled nursing facility for each fiscal year (beginning with the initial period described in subparagraph (E)(i)) an adjusted Federal per diem rate equal to the unadjusted Federal per diem rate determined under subparagraph (E), as adjusted under subparagraph (F), and as further adjusted as follows:
(i) Adjustment for case mix
(ii) Adjustment for geographic variations in labor costs
(iii) Adjustment for exclusion of certain additional items and services
(H) Publication of information on per diem ratesThe Secretary shall provide for publication in the Federal Register, before May 1, 1998 (with respect to fiscal period described in subparagraph (E)(i)) and before the August 1 preceding each succeeding fiscal year (with respect to that succeeding fiscal year), of—
(i) the unadjusted Federal per diem rates to be applied to days of covered skilled nursing facility services furnished during the fiscal year,
(ii) the case mix classification system to be applied under subparagraph (G)(i) with respect to such services during the fiscal year, and
(iii) the factors to be applied in making the area wage adjustment under subparagraph (G)(ii) with respect to such services.
(5) Skilled nursing facility market basket index and percentageFor purposes of this subsection:
(A) Skilled nursing facility market basket index
(B) Skilled nursing facility market basket percentage
(i) In general
(ii) Adjustment
(iii) Special rule for fiscal year 2018
(iv) Special rule for fiscal year 2019
(6) Reporting of assessment and quality data
(A) Reduction in update for failure to report
(i) In general
(ii) Special rule
(iii) Noncumulative application
(B) Assessment and measure data
(i) In generalA skilled nursing facility, or a facility (other than a critical access hospital) described in paragraph (7)(B), shall submit to the Secretary, in a manner and within the timeframes prescribed by the Secretary—(I) subject to clause (iii), the resident assessment data necessary to develop and implement the rates under this subsection;(II) for fiscal years beginning on or after the specified application date (as defined in subsection (a)(2)(E) of section 1395lll of this title), as applicable with respect to skilled nursing facilities and quality measures under subsection (c)(1) of such section and measures under subsection (d)(1) of such section, data on such quality measures under such subsection (c)(1) and any necessary data specified by the Secretary under such subsection (d)(1); and(III) for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2018, standardized patient assessment data required under subsection (b)(1) of section 1395lll of this title.
(ii) Use of standard instrument
(iii) Non-duplication
(7) Treatment of medicare swing bed hospitals
(A) Transition
(B) Facilities described
(C) Exemption from PPS of swing-bed services furnished in critical access hospitals
(8) Limitation on reviewThere shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1395ff of this title, 1395oo of this title, or otherwise of—
(A) the establishment of Federal per diem rates under paragraph (4), including the computation of the standardized per diem rates under paragraph (4)(C), adjustments and corrections for case mix under paragraphs (4)(F) and (4)(G)(i), adjustments for variations in labor-related costs under paragraph (4)(G)(ii), and adjustments under paragraph (4)(G)(iii);
(B) the establishment of facility specific rates before July 1, 1999 (except any determination of costs paid under part A of this subchapter); and
(C) the establishment of transitional amounts under paragraph (7).
(9) Payment for certain services
(10) Required coding
(11) Permitting facilities to waive 3-year transition
(12) Adjustment for residents with AIDS
(A) In general
(B) Sunset
(f) Reporting of direct care expenditures
(1) In general
(2) Modification of form
(3) Categorization by functional accountsNot later than 30 months after March 23, 2010, the Secretary, working in consultation with the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, and other expert parties the Secretary determines appropriate, shall take the expenditures listed on cost reports, as modified under paragraph (1), submitted by skilled nursing facilities and categorize such expenditures, regardless of any source of payment for such expenditures, for each skilled nursing facility into the following functional accounts on an annual basis:
(A) Spending on direct care services (including nursing, therapy, and medical services).
(B) Spending on indirect care (including housekeeping and dietary services).
(C) Capital assets (including building and land costs).
(D) Administrative services costs.
(4) Availability of information submitted
(g) Skilled nursing facility readmission measure
(1) Readmission measure
(2) Resource use measure
(3) Measure adjustments
(4) Pre-rulemaking process (measure application partnership process)
(5) Feedback reports to skilled nursing facilities
(6) Public reporting of skilled nursing facilities
(A) In general
(B) Opportunity to review
(C) Timing
(7) Non-application of Paperwork Reduction Act
(h) Skilled nursing facility value-based purchasing program
(1) Establishment
(A) In general
(B) Program to begin in fiscal year 2019
(C) ExclusionsWith respect to payments for services furnished on or after October 1, 2022, this subsection shall not apply to a facility for which there are not a minimum number (as determined by the Secretary) of—
(i) cases for the measures that apply to the facility for the performance period for the applicable fiscal year; or
(ii) measures that apply to the facility for the performance period for the applicable fiscal year.
(2) Application of measures
(A) In generalThe Secretary—
(i) shall apply the measure specified under subsection (g)(1) for purposes of the SNF VBP Program; and
(ii) may, with respect to payments for services furnished on or after October 1, 2023, apply additional measures determined appropriate by the Secretary, which may include measures of functional status, patient safety, care coordination, or patient experience.
Subject to the succeeding sentence, in the case that the Secretary applies additional measures under clause (ii), the Secretary shall consider and apply, as appropriate, quality measures specified under section 1395lll(c)(1) of this title. In no case may the Secretary apply more than 10 measures under this subparagraph.
(B) Replacement
(3) Performance standards
(A) Establishment
(B) Higher of achievement and improvement
(C) Timing
(4) SNF performance score
(A) In general
(B) Ranking of SNF performance scores
(5) Calculation of value-based incentive payments
(A) In general
(B) Value-based incentive payment amountThe value-based incentive payment amount for services furnished by a skilled nursing facility in a fiscal year shall be equal to the product of—
(i) the adjusted Federal per diem rate determined under subsection (e)(4)(G) otherwise applicable to such skilled nursing facility for such services furnished by the skilled nursing facility during such fiscal year; and
(ii) the value-based incentive payment percentage specified under subparagraph (C) for the skilled nursing facility for such fiscal year.
(C) Value-based incentive payment percentage
(i) In general
(ii) RequirementsIn specifying the value-based incentive payment percentage for each skilled nursing facility for a fiscal year under clause (i), the Secretary shall ensure that—(I) such percentage is based on the SNF performance score of the skilled nursing facility provided under paragraph (4) for the performance period for such fiscal year;(II) the application of all such percentages in such fiscal year results in an appropriate distribution of value-based incentive payments under subparagraph (B) such that—(aa) skilled nursing facilities with the highest rankings under paragraph (4)(B) receive the highest value-based incentive payment amounts under subparagraph (B);(bb) skilled nursing facilities with the lowest rankings under paragraph (4)(B) receive the lowest value-based incentive payment amounts under subparagraph (B); and(cc) in the case of skilled nursing facilities in the lowest 40 percent of the ranking under paragraph (4)(B), the payment rate under subparagraph (A) for services furnished by such facility during such fiscal year shall be less than the payment rate for such services for such fiscal year that would otherwise apply under subsection (e)(4)(G) without application of this subsection; and(III) the total amount of value-based incentive payments under this paragraph for all skilled nursing facilities in such fiscal year shall be greater than or equal to 50 percent, but not greater than 70 percent, of the total amount of the reductions to payments for such fiscal year under paragraph (6), as estimated by the Secretary.
(6) Funding for value-based incentive payments
(A) In general
(B) Applicable percent
(7) Announcement of net result of adjustments
(8) No effect in subsequent fiscal years
(9) Public reporting
(A) SNF specific informationThe Secretary shall make available to the public, by posting on the Nursing Home Compare Medicare website (or a successor website) described in section 1395i–3(i) of this title in an easily understandable format, information regarding the performance of individual skilled nursing facilities under the SNF VBP Program, with respect to a fiscal year, including—
(i) the SNF performance score of the skilled nursing facility for such fiscal year; and
(ii) the ranking of the skilled nursing facility under paragraph (4)(B) for the performance period for such fiscal year.
(B) Aggregate informationThe Secretary shall periodically post on the Nursing Home Compare Medicare website (or a successor website) described in section 1395i–3(i) of this title aggregate information on the SNF VBP Program, including—
(i) the range of SNF performance scores provided under paragraph (4)(A); and
(ii) the number of skilled nursing facilities receiving value-based incentive payments under paragraph (5) and the range and total amount of such value-based incentive payments.
(10) Limitation on reviewThere shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1395ff of this title, section 1395oo of this title, or otherwise of the following:
(A) The methodology used to determine the value-based incentive payment percentage and the amount of the value-based incentive payment under paragraph (5).
(B) The determination of the amount of funding available for such value-based incentive payments under paragraph (5)(C)(ii)(III) and the payment reduction under paragraph (6).
(C) The establishment of the performance standards under paragraph (3) and the performance period.
(D) The methodology developed under paragraph (4) that is used to calculate SNF performance scores and the calculation of such scores.
(E) The ranking determinations under paragraph (4)(B).
(11) Funding for program managementThe Secretary shall provide for the one time transfer from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund established under section 1395i of this title to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Program Management Account of—
(A) for purposes of subsection (g)(2), $2,000,000; and
(B) for purposes of implementing this subsection, $10,000,000.
Such funds shall remain available until expended.
(12) Validation
(A) In general
(B) Funding
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1888, as added Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, § 2319(b), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1082; amended Pub. L. 99–272, title IX, §§ 9126(a), (b), 9219(b)(1)(C), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 168, 170, 182; Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1895(b)(7)(A), (B), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2933; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, § 4201(b)(2), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–174; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, § 4008(e)(2), (h)(2)(A)(ii), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–45, 1388–48; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13503(a)(2), (3)(A), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 578; Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, §§ 4431, 4432(a), (b)(3), (5)(H), 4511(a)(2)(E), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 414, 421, 422, 442; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(6) [title I, §§ 102(a), 103(a), (b), 104(a), 105(a), title III, § 321(g)(1), (k)(18)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–325 to 1501A–327, 1501A–366, 1501A–368; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title II, § 203(a), title III, § 311(a)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–481, 2763A–497; Pub. L. 108–173, title IV, § 410(a), title V, § 511(a), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2271, 2298; Pub. L. 110–275, title I, § 149(b), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2549; Pub. L. 111–148, title III, § 3401(b), title VI, § 6104, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 481, 711; Pub. L. 113–93, title II, § 215(a), (b), Apr. 1, 2014, 128 Stat. 1048, 1049; Pub. L. 113–185, § 2(c)(4)(A), Oct. 6, 2014, 128 Stat. 1965; Pub. L. 114–10, title IV, § 411(a), Apr. 16, 2015, 129 Stat. 161; Pub. L. 115–123, div. E, title XII, § 53111, Feb. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 304; Pub. L. 116–260, div. CC, title I, §§ 111(a), 134(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2944, 2977; Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title IV, § 4121(a)(4), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5903.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395yy

§ 1395zz. Provider education and technical assistance
(a) Coordination of education funding
(b) Enhanced education and training
(1) Additional resources
(2) Use
(c) Tailoring education and training activities for small providers or suppliers
(1) In general
(2) Small provider of services or supplier
In this subsection, the term “small provider of services or supplier” means—
(A) a provider of services with fewer than 25 full-time-equivalent employees; or
(B) a supplier with fewer than 10 full-time-equivalent employees.
(d) Internet websites; FAQs
The Secretary, and each medicare contractor insofar as it provides services (including claims processing) for providers of services or suppliers, shall maintain an Internet website which—
(1) provides answers in an easily accessible format to frequently asked questions, and
(2) includes other published materials of the contractor,
that relate to providers of services and suppliers under the programs under this subchapter (and subchapter XI insofar as it relates to such programs).
(e) Encouragement of participation in education program activities
(f) Construction
Nothing in this section or section 1395ddd(g) of this title shall be construed as providing for disclosure by a medicare contractor—
(1) of the screens used for identifying claims that will be subject to medical review; or
(2) of information that would compromise pending law enforcement activities or reveal findings of law enforcement-related audits.
(g) Definitions
For purposes of this section, the term “medicare contractor” includes the following:
(1) A medicare administrative contractor with a contract under section 1395kk–1 of this title, including a fiscal intermediary with a contract under section 1395h of this title and a carrier with a contract under section 1395u of this title.
(2) An eligible entity with a contract under section 1395ddd of this title.
Such term does not include, with respect to activities of a specific provider of services or supplier an entity that has no authority under this subchapter or subchapter IX with respect to such activities and such provider of services or supplier.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1889, as added and amended Pub. L. 108–173, title IX, § 921(a)(1), (d)(1), (e)(1), (f)(1), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2388, 2391.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395zz

§ 1395aaa. Contract with a consensus-based entity regarding performance measurement
(a) Contract
(1) In general
(2) Timing for first contract
(3) Period of contract
(4) Competitive procedures
(b) DutiesThe duties described in this subsection are the following:
(1) Priority setting processThe entity shall synthesize evidence and convene key stakeholders to make recommendations, with respect to activities conducted under this chapter, on an integrated national strategy and priorities for health care performance measurement in all applicable settings. In making such recommendations, the entity shall—
(A) ensure that priority is given to measures—
(i) that address the health care provided to patients with prevalent, high-cost chronic diseases;
(ii) with the greatest potential for improving the quality, efficiency, and patient-centeredness of health care; and
(iii) that may be implemented rapidly due to existing evidence, standards of care, or other reasons; and
(B) take into account measures that—
(i) may assist consumers and patients in making informed health care decisions;
(ii) address health disparities across groups and areas; and
(iii) address the continuum of care a patient receives, including services furnished by multiple health care providers or practitioners and across multiple settings.
(2) Endorsement of measuresThe entity shall provide for the endorsement of standardized health care performance measures. The endorsement process under the preceding sentence shall consider whether a measure—
(A) is evidence-based, reliable, valid, verifiable, relevant to enhanced health outcomes, actionable at the caregiver level, feasible to collect and report, and responsive to variations in patient characteristics, such as health status, language capabilities, race or ethnicity, and income level; and
(B) is consistent across types of health care providers, including hospitals and physicians.
(3) Maintenance of measures
(4) Removal of measures
(5) Annual report to Congress and the Secretary; secretarial publication and comment
(A)By not later than March 1 of each year (beginning with 2009), the entity shall submit to Congress and the Secretary a report containing the following:
(i) A description of—(I) the implementation of quality measurement initiatives under this chapter and the coordination of such initiatives with quality initiatives implemented by other payers;(II) the recommendations made under paragraph (1);(III) the performance by the entity of the duties required under the contract entered into with the Secretary under subsection (a);(IV) gaps in endorsed quality measures, which shall include measures that are within priority areas identified by the Secretary under the national strategy established under section 280j of this title, and where quality measures are unavailable or inadequate to identify or address such gaps;(V) areas in which evidence is insufficient to support endorsement of quality measures in priority areas identified by the Secretary under the national strategy established under section 280j of this title and where targeted research may address such gaps; and(VI) the matters described in clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (7)(A).
(ii) An itemization of financial information for the fiscal year ending September 30 of the preceding year, including—(I) annual revenues of the entity (including any government funding, private sector contributions, grants, membership revenues, and investment revenue);(II) annual expenses of the entity (including grants paid, benefits paid, salaries or other compensation, fundraising expenses, and overhead costs); and(III) a breakdown of the amount awarded per contracted task order and the specific projects funded in each task order assigned to the entity.
(iii) Any updates or modifications of internal policies and procedures of the entity as they relate to the duties of the entity under this section, including—(I) specifically identifying any modifications to the disclosure of interests and conflicts of interests for committees, work groups, task forces, and advisory panels of the entity; and(II) information on external stakeholder participation in the duties of the entity under this section (including complete rosters for all committees, work groups, task forces, and advisory panels funded through government contracts, descriptions of relevant interests and any conflicts of interest for members of all committees, work groups, task forces, and advisory panels, and the total percentage by health care sector of all convened committees, work groups, task forces, and advisory panels.2
2 So in original. Probably should be “panels).”
(B) Secretarial review and publication of annual reportNot later than 6 months after receiving a report under subparagraph (A) for a year, the Secretary shall—
(i) review such report; and
(ii) publish such report in the Federal Register, together with any comments of the Secretary on such report.
(6) Review and endorsement of episode grouper under the physician feedback program
(7) Convening multi-stakeholder groups
(A) In generalThe entity shall convene multi-stakeholder groups to provide input on—
(i) the selection of quality and efficiency measures described in subparagraph (B), from among—(I) such measures that have been endorsed by the entity; and(II) such measures that have not been considered for endorsement by such entity but are used or proposed to be used by the Secretary for the collection or reporting of quality and efficiency measures; and
(ii) national priorities (as identified under section 280j of this title) for improvement in population health and in the delivery of health care services for consideration under the national strategy established under section 280j of this title.
(B) Quality and efficiency measures
(i) In generalSubject to clause (ii), the quality and efficiency measures described in this subparagraph are quality and efficiency measures—(I) for use pursuant to sections 1395f(i)(5)(D), 1395l(i)(7), 1395l(t)(17), 1395w–4(k)(2)(C), 1395cc(k)(3), 1395rr(h)(2)(A)(iii),3
3 See References in Text note below.
1395ww(b)(3)(B)(viii), 1395ww(j)(7)(D), 1395ww(m)(5)(D), 1395ww(o)(2), 1395ww(s)(4)(D), and 1395fff(b)(3)(B)(v) of this title;(II) for use in reporting performance information to the public; and(III) for use in health care programs other than for use under this chapter.
(ii) Exclusion
(C) Requirement for transparency in process
(i) In general
(ii) Selection of organizations participating in multi-stakeholder groups
(D) Multi-stakeholder group defined
(8) Transmission of multi-stakeholder input
(9) Prioritization of measure endorsementThe Secretary—
(A) during the period beginning on December 27, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2023, shall prioritize the endorsement of measures relating to maternal morbidity and mortality by the entity with a contract under subsection (a) in connection with endorsement of measures described in paragraph (2); and
(B) on and after January 1, 2024, may prioritize the endorsement of such measures by such entity.
(c) Requirements describedThe requirements described in this subsection are the following:
(1) Private nonprofit
(2) Board membershipThe members of the board of the entity include—
(A) representatives of health plans and health care providers and practitioners or representatives of groups representing such health plans and health care providers and practitioners;
(B) health care consumers or representatives of groups representing health care consumers; and
(C) representatives of purchasers and employers or representatives of groups representing purchasers or employers.
(3) Entity membershipThe membership of the entity includes persons who have experience with—
(A) urban health care issues;
(B) safety net health care issues;
(C) rural and frontier health care issues; and
(D) health care quality and safety issues.
(4) Open and transparent
(5) Voluntary consensus standards setting organization
(6) Experience
(7) Membership fees
(d) Funding
(1) For purposes of carrying out this section, the Secretary shall provide for the transfer, from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under section 1395i of this title and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund under section 1395t of this title (in such proportion as the Secretary determines appropriate), of $10,000,000 to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Program Management Account for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013. Amounts transferred under the preceding sentence shall remain available until expended.
(2) For purposes of carrying out this section and section 1395aaa–1 of this title (other than subsections (e) and (f)), the Secretary shall provide for the transfer, from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under section 1395i of this title and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund under section 1395t of this title, in such proportion as the Secretary determines appropriate, to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Program Management Account of $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2014, $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2017, $7,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 and 2019, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2020, $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2023, $14,030,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on September 30, 2025, $13,300,000 for fiscal year 2026, and $15,100,000 for fiscal year 2027. Amounts transferred under the preceding sentence shall remain available until expended. Amounts transferred for each of fiscal years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027 shall be in addition to any unobligated funds transferred for a preceding fiscal year that are available under the preceding sentence.
(e) Annual report by Secretary to Congress
(1) In generalBy not later than March 1 of each year (beginning with 2019), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing the following:
(A) A comprehensive plan that identifies the quality measurement needs of programs and initiatives of the Secretary and provides a strategy for using the entity with a contract under subsection (a) and any other entity the Secretary has contracted with or may contract with to perform work associated with section 1395aaa–1 of this title to help meet those needs, specifically with respect to the programs under this subchapter and subchapter XIX.
(B) The amount of funding provided under subsection (d) for purposes of carrying out this section and section 1395aaa–1 of this title that has been obligated by the Secretary, the amount of funding provided that has been expended, and the amount of funding provided that remains unobligated.
(C) With respect to the activities described under this section or section 1395aaa–1 of this title, a description of how the funds described in paragraph (2) have been obligated or expended, including how much of that funding has been obligated or expended for work performed by the Secretary, the entity with a contract under subsection (a), and any other entity the Secretary has contracted with to perform work.
(D) Subject to paragraph (2)(B), a description of the activities for which the funds described in paragraph (2) were used, including task orders and activities assigned to the entity with a contract under subsection (a), activities performed by the Secretary, and task orders and activities assigned to any other entity the Secretary has contracted with to perform work related to carrying out section 1395aaa–1 of this title.
(E) Subject to paragraph (2)(B), the amount of funding described in paragraph (2) that has been obligated or expended for each of the activities described in paragraph (4).
(F) Subject to paragraph (2)(B), estimates for, and descriptions of, obligations and expenditures that the Secretary anticipates will be needed in the succeeding two year period to carry out each of the quality measurement activities required under this section and section 1395aaa–1 of this title, including any obligations that will require funds to be expended in a future year.
(2) Additional requirements for reports
(A) Addressing GAO reportEach of the annual reports submitted in 2021 and 2022 pursuant to paragraph (1) shall also include the following:
(i) A comprehensive analysis detailing the ways in which the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has addressed each of the recommendations set forth in the report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO–19–628) issued on September 19, 2019, and titled “Health Care Quality: CMS Could More Effectively Ensure Its Quality Measurement Activities Promote Its Objectives”.
(ii) A detailed description of—(I) any additional steps that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services expects to take to address the findings and recommendations set forth in such report; and(II) the anticipated timing for such steps.
(B) Ensuring detailed information
(i) In generalIn the case of an annual report submitted in 2021 or a subsequent year pursuant to paragraph (1), the information required under—(I) paragraph (1)(D) shall also include detailed information on each of the activities described in clause (ii);(II) paragraph (1)(E) shall also include detailed information on the specific amounts obligated or expended on each of the activities described in clause (ii); and(III) paragraph (1)(F) shall also include detailed information on the specific quality measurement activities required and future funding needed for each of the activities described in clause (ii).
(ii) Activities describedThe activities described in this clause are the following:(I) Measure selection activities.(II) Measure development activities.(III) Public reporting activities.(IV) Education and outreach activities.
(f) Additional reporting by the Secretary to Congress
(1) In general
(2) Separate report
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1890, as added Pub. L. 110–275, title I, § 183(a)(1), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2583; amended Pub. L. 111–148, title III, §§ 3003(b), 3014(a), title X, §§ 10304, 10322(b), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 367, 384, 938, 954; Pub. L. 112–240, title VI, § 609(a), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2349; Pub. L. 113–67, div. B, title I, § 1109, Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 1197; Pub. L. 113–93, title I, § 109, Apr. 1, 2014, 128 Stat. 1043; Pub. L. 114–10, title II, § 207, Apr. 16, 2015, 129 Stat. 145; Pub. L. 115–123, div. E, title II, § 50206(a)–(c)(1), Feb. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 183–185; Pub. L. 116–59, div. B, title IV, § 1401, Sept. 27, 2019, 133 Stat. 1105; Pub. L. 116–69, div. B, title IV, § 1401(a), Nov. 21, 2019, 133 Stat. 1138; Pub. L. 116–94, div. N, title I, § 102(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3096; Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title III, § 3802(a), Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 427; Pub. L. 116–159, div. C, title II, § 2202, Oct. 1, 2020, 134 Stat. 730; Pub. L. 116–215, div. B, title I, § 1103, Dec. 11, 2020, 134 Stat. 1042; Pub. L. 116–260, div. CC, title I, § 102, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2940; Pub. L. 118–42, div. G, title I, § 301, Mar. 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 414; Pub. L. 118–158, div. C, title II, § 3204, Dec. 21, 2024, 138 Stat. 1765; Pub. L. 119–4, div. B, title II, § 2204, Mar. 15, 2025, 139 Stat. 43; Pub. L. 119–37, div. F, title II, § 6203, Nov. 12, 2025, 139 Stat. 631; Pub. L. 119–75, div. J, title II, § 6205, Feb. 3, 2026, 140 Stat. 647.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395aaa

§ 1395aaa–1. Quality and efficiency measurement
(a) Multi-stakeholder group input into selection of quality and efficiency measuresThe Secretary shall establish a pre-rulemaking process under which the following steps occur with respect to the selection of quality and efficiency measures described in section 1395aaa(b)(7)(B) of this title:
(1) Input
(2) Public availability of measures considered for selection
(3) Transmission of multi-stakeholder input
(4) Consideration of multi-stakeholder input
(5) Rationale for use of quality and efficiency measures
(6) Assessment of impactNot later than March 1, 2012, and at least once every three years thereafter, the Secretary shall—
(A) conduct an assessment of the quality and efficiency impact of the use of endorsed measures described in section 1395aaa(b)(7)(B) of this title; and
(B) make such assessment available to the public.
(b) Process for dissemination of measures used by the Secretary
(1) In generalThe Secretary shall establish a process for disseminating quality and efficiency measures used by the Secretary. Such process shall include the following:
(A) The incorporation of such measures, where applicable, in workforce programs, training curricula, and any other means of dissemination determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(B) The dissemination of such quality and efficiency measures through the national strategy developed under section 280j of this title.
(2) Existing methods
(c) Review of quality and efficiency measures used by the Secretary
(1) In generalThe Secretary shall—
(A) periodically (but in no case less often than once every 3 years) review quality and efficiency measures described in section 1395aaa(b)(7)(B) of this title; and
(B) with respect to each such measure, determine whether to—
(i) maintain the use of such measure; or
(ii) phase out such measure.
(2) ConsiderationsIn conducting the review under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall take steps to—
(A) seek to avoid duplication of measures used; and
(B) take into consideration current innovative methodologies and strategies for quality and efficiency improvement practices in the delivery of health care services that represent best practices for such quality and efficiency improvement and measures endorsed by the entity with a contract under section 1395aaa of this title since the previous review by the Secretary.
(d) Rule of construction
(e) Development of quality and efficiency measures
(f) Hospital acquired conditions
(g) Technical expert panel review of opioid and opioid use disorder quality measures
(1) In general
(2) Review and assessmentNot later than 1 year after the date the technical expert panel described in paragraph (1) is established (and periodically thereafter as the Secretary determines appropriate), the technical expert panel shall—
(A) review quality measures that relate to opioids and opioid use disorders, including existing measures and those under development;
(B) identify gaps in areas of quality measurement that relate to opioids and opioid use disorders, and identify measure development priorities for such measure gaps; and
(C) make recommendations to the Secretary on quality measures with respect to opioids and opioid use disorders for purposes of improving care, prevention, diagnosis, health outcomes, and treatment, including recommendations for revisions of such measures, need for development of new measures, and recommendations for including such measures in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System under section 1395w–4(q) of this title, the alternative payment models under section 1395l(z)(3)(C) of this title, the shared savings program under section 1395jjj of this title, the quality reporting requirements for inpatient hospitals under section 1395ww(b)(3)(B)(viii) of this title, and the hospital value-based purchasing program under section 1395ww(o) of this title.
(3) Consideration of measures by SecretaryThe Secretary shall consider—
(A) using opioid and opioid use disorder measures (including measures used under the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System under section 1395w–4(q) of this title, measures recommended under paragraph (2)(C), and other such measures identified by the Secretary) in alternative payment models under section 1395l(z)(3)(C) of this title and in the shared savings program under section 1395jjj of this title; and
(B) using opioid measures described in subparagraph (A), as applicable, in the quality reporting requirements for inpatient hospitals under section 1395ww(b)(3)(B)(viii) of this title, and in the hospital value-based purchasing program under section 1395ww(o) of this title.
(4) Prioritization of measure development
(5) Prioritization of measure endorsementThe Secretary—
(A) during the period beginning on October 24, 2018, and ending on December 31, 2023, shall prioritize the endorsement of measures relating to opioids and opioid use disorders by the entity with a contract under subsection (a) of section 1395aaa of this title in connection with endorsement of measures described in subsection (b)(2) of such section; and
(B) on and after January 1, 2024, may prioritize the endorsement of such measures by such entity.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1890A, as added and amended Pub. L. 111–148, title III, §§ 3013(b), 3014(b), title X, §§ 10303(b), 10304, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 383, 385, 938; Pub. L. 115–271, title VI, § 6093, Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 4001.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395aaa-1

§ 1395bbb. Conditions of participation for home health agencies; home health quality
(a) Conditions of participation; protection of individual rights; notification of State entities; use of home health aides; medical equipment; individual’s plan of care; compliance with Federal, State, and local laws and regulationsThe conditions of participation that a home health agency is required to meet under this subsection are as follows:
(1) The agency protects and promotes the rights of each individual under its care, including each of the following rights:
(A) The right to be fully informed in advance about the care and treatment to be provided by the agency, to be fully informed in advance of any changes in the care or treatment to be provided by the agency that may affect the individual’s well-being, and (except with respect to an individual adjudged incompetent) to participate in planning care and treatment or changes in care or treatment.
(B) The right to voice grievances with respect to treatment or care that is (or fails to be) furnished without discrimination or reprisal for voicing grievances.
(C) The right to confidentiality of the clinical records described in section 1395x(o)(3) of this title.
(D) The right to have one’s property treated with respect.
(E) The right to be fully informed orally and in writing (in advance of coming under the care of the agency) of—
(i) all items and services furnished by (or under arrangements with) the agency for which payment may be made under this subchapter,
(ii) the coverage available for such items and services under this subchapter, subchapter XIX, and any other Federal program of which the agency is reasonably aware,
(iii) any charges for items and services not covered under this subchapter and any charges the individual may have to pay with respect to items and services furnished by (or under arrangements with) the agency, and
(iv) any changes in the charges or items and services described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii).
(F) The right to be fully informed in writing (in advance of coming under the care of the agency) of the individual’s rights and obligations under this subchapter.
(G) The right to be informed of the availability of the State home health agency hot-line established under section 1395aa(a) of this title.
(2) The agency notifies the State entity responsible for the licensing or certification of the agency of a change in—
(A) the persons with an ownership or control interest (as defined in section 1320a–3(a)(3) of this title) in the agency,
(B) the persons who are officers, directors, agents, or managing employees (as defined in section 1320a–5(b) of this title) of the agency, and
(C) the corporation, association, or other company responsible for the management of the agency.
Such notice shall be given at the time of the change and shall include the identity of each new person or company described in the previous sentence.
(3)
(A) The agency must not use as a home health aide (on a full-time, temporary, per diem, or other basis), any individual to provide items or services described in section 1395x(m) of this title on or after January 1, 1990, unless the individual—
(i) has completed a training and competency evaluation program, or a competency evaluation program, that meets the minimum standards established by the Secretary under subparagraph (D), and
(ii) is competent to provide such items and services.
For purposes of clause (i), an individual is not considered to have completed a training and competency evaluation program, or a competency evaluation program if, since the individual’s most recent completion of such a program, there has been a continuous period of 24 consecutive months during none of which the individual provided items and services described in section 1395x(m) of this title for compensation.
(B)
(i) The agency must provide, with respect to individuals used as a home health aide by the agency as of July 1, 1989, for a competency evaluation program (as described in subparagraph (A)(i)) and such preparation as may be necessary for the individual to complete such a program by January 1, 1990.
(ii) The agency must provide such regular performance review and regular in-service education as assures that individuals used to provide items and services described in section 1395x(m) of this title are competent to provide those items and services.
(C) The agency must not permit an individual, other than in a training and competency evaluation program that meets the minimum standards established by the Secretary under subparagraph (D), to provide items or services of a type for which the individual has not demonstrated competency.
(D)
(i) The Secretary shall establish minimum standards for the programs described in subparagraph (A) by not later than October 1, 1988.
(ii) Such standards shall include the span of the curriculum, minimum hours of training, qualification of instructors, and procedures for determination of competency.
(iii) Such standards may permit approval of programs offered by or in home health agencies, as well as outside agencies (including employee organizations), and of programs in effect on December 22, 1987; except that they may not provide for the approval of a program offered by or in a home health agency which, within the previous 2 years—(I) has been determined to be out of compliance with subparagraph (A), (B), or (C);(II) has been subject to an extended (or partial extended) survey under subsection (c)(2)(D);(III) has been assessed a civil money penalty described in subsection (f)(2)(A)(i) of not less than $5,000; or(IV) has been subject to the remedies described in subsection (e)(1) or in clauses (ii) or (iii) of subsection (f)(2)(A).
(iv) Such standards shall permit a determination that an individual who has completed (before July 1, 1989) a training and competency evaluation program or a competency evaluation program shall be deemed for purposes of subparagraph (A) to have completed a program that is approved by the Secretary under the standards established under this subparagraph if the Secretary determines that, at the time the program was offered, the program met such standards.
(E) In this paragraph, the term “home health aide” means any individual who provides the items and services described in section 1395x(m) of this title, but does not include an individual—
(i) who is a licensed health professional (as defined in subparagraph (F)), or
(ii) who volunteers to provide such services without monetary compensation.
(F) In this paragraph, the term “licensed health professional” means a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, physical, speech, or occupational therapist, physical or occupational therapy assistant, registered professional nurse, licensed practical nurse, or licensed or certified social worker.
(4) The agency includes an individual’s plan of care required under section 1395x(m) of this title as part of the clinical records described in section 1395x(o)(3) of this title.
(5) The agency operates and provides services in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations (including the requirements of section 1320a–3 of this title) and with accepted professional standards and principles which apply to professionals providing items and services in such an agency.
(6) The agency complies with the requirement of section 1395cc(f) of this title (relating to maintaining written policies and procedures respecting advance directives).
(b) Duty of Secretary
(c) Surveys of home health agencies
(1) Any agreement entered into or renewed by the Secretary pursuant to section 1395aa of this title relating to home health agencies shall provide that the appropriate State or local agency shall conduct, without any prior notice, a standard survey of each home health agency. Any individual who notifies (or causes to be notified) a home health agency of the time or date on which such a survey is scheduled to be conducted is subject to a civil money penalty of not to exceed $2,000. The provisions of section 1320a–7a of this title (other than subsections (a) and (b)) shall apply to a civil money penalty under this paragraph in the same manner as such provisions apply to a penalty or proceeding under section 1320a–7a of this title. The Secretary shall review each State’s or local agency’s procedures for scheduling and conduct of standard surveys to assure that the State or agency has taken all reasonable steps to avoid giving notice of such a survey through the scheduling procedures and the conduct of the surveys themselves.
(2)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), each home health agency shall be subject to a standard survey not later than 36 months after the date of the previous standard survey conducted under this paragraph. The Secretary shall establish a frequency for surveys of home health agencies within this 36-month interval commensurate with the need to assure the delivery of quality home health services.
(B) If not otherwise conducted under subparagraph (A), a standard survey (or an abbreviated standard survey) of an agency—
(i) may be conducted within 2 months of any change of ownership, administration, or management of the agency to determine whether the change has resulted in any decline in the quality of care furnished by the agency, and
(ii) shall be conducted within 2 months of when a significant number of complaints have been reported with respect to the agency to the Secretary, the State, the entity responsible for the licensing of the agency, the State or local agency responsible for maintaining a toll-free hotline and investigative unit (under section 1395aa(a) of this title), or any other appropriate Federal, State, or local agency.
(C) A standard survey conducted under this paragraph with respect to a home health agency—
(i) shall include (to the extent practicable), for a case-mix stratified sample of individuals furnished items or services by the agency—(I) visits to the homes of such individuals, but only with the consent of such individuals, for the purpose of evaluating (in accordance with a standardized reproducible assessment instrument (or instruments) approved by the Secretary under subsection (d)) the extent to which the quality and scope of items and services furnished by the agency attained and maintained the highest practicable functional capacity of each such individual as reflected in such individual’s written plan of care required under section 1395x(m) of this title and clinical records required under section 1395x(o)(3) of this title; and(II) a survey of the quality of care and services furnished by the agency as measured by indicators of medical, nursing, and rehabilitative care;
(ii) shall be based upon a protocol that is developed, tested, and validated by the Secretary not later than January 1, 1989; and
(iii) shall be conducted by an individual—(I) who meets minimum qualifications established by the Secretary not later than July 1, 1989,(II) who is not serving (or has not served within the previous 2 years) as a member of the staff of, or as a consultant to, the home health agency surveyed respecting compliance with the conditions of participation specified in or pursuant to section 1395x(o) of this title or subsection (a) of this section, and(III) who has no personal or familial financial interest in the home health agency surveyed.
(D) Each home health agency that is found, under a standard survey, to have provided substandard care shall be subject to an extended survey to review and identify the policies and procedures which produced such substandard care and to determine whether the agency has complied with the conditions of participation specified in or pursuant to section 1395x(o) of this title or subsection (a) of this section. Any other agency may, at the Secretary’s or State’s discretion, be subject to such an extended survey (or a partial extended survey). The extended survey shall be conducted immediately after the standard survey (or, if not practical, not later than 2 weeks after the date of completion of the standard survey).
(E) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring an extended (or partial extended) survey as a prerequisite to imposing a sanction against an agency under subsection (e) on the basis of the findings of a standard survey.
(d) Assessment process; reports to Congress
(1) Not later than January 1, 1989, the Secretary shall designate an assessment instrument (or instruments) for use by an agency in complying with subsection (c)(2)(C)(i)(I).
(2)
(A) Not later than January 1, 1992, the Secretary shall—
(i) evaluate the assessment process,
(ii) report to Congress on the results of such evaluation, and
(iii) based on such evaluation, make such modifications in the assessment process as the Secretary determines are appropriate.
(B) The Secretary shall periodically update the evaluation conducted under subparagraph (A), report the results of such update to Congress, and, based on such update, make such modifications in the assessment process as the Secretary determines are appropriate.
(3) The Secretary shall provide for the comprehensive training of State and Federal surveyors in matters relating to the performance of standard and extended surveys under this section, including the use of any assessment instrument (or instruments) designated under paragraph (1).
(e) Enforcement
(1) If the Secretary determines on the basis of a standard, extended, or partial extended survey or otherwise, that a home health agency that is certified for participation under this subchapter is no longer in compliance with the requirements specified in or pursuant to section 1395x(o) of this title or subsection (a) and determines that the deficiencies involved immediately jeopardize the health and safety of the individuals to whom the agency furnishes items and services, the Secretary shall take immediate action to remove the jeopardy and correct the deficiencies through the remedy specified in subsection (f)(2)(A)(iii) or terminate the certification of the agency, and may provide, in addition, for 1 or more of the other remedies described in subsection (f)(2)(A).
(2) If the Secretary determines on the basis of a standard, extended, or partial extended survey or otherwise, that a home health agency that is certified for participation under this subchapter is no longer in compliance with the requirements specified in or pursuant to section 1395x(o) of this title or subsection (a) and determines that the deficiencies involved do not immediately jeopardize the health and safety of the individuals to whom the agency furnishes items and services, the Secretary may (for a period not to exceed 6 months) impose intermediate sanctions developed pursuant to subsection (f), in lieu of terminating the certification of the agency. If, after such a period of intermediate sanctions, the agency is still no longer in compliance with the requirements specified in or pursuant to section 1395x(o) of this title or subsection (a), the Secretary shall terminate the certification of the agency.
(3) If the Secretary determines that a home health agency that is certified for participation under this subchapter is in compliance with the requirements specified in or pursuant to section 1395x(o) of this title or subsection (a) but, as of a previous period, did not meet such requirements, the Secretary may provide for a civil money penalty under subsection (f)(2)(A)(i) for the days in which it finds that the agency was not in compliance with such requirements.
(4) The Secretary may continue payments under this subchapter with respect to a home health agency not in compliance with the requirements specified in or pursuant to section 1395x(o) of this title or subsection (a) over a period of not longer than 6 months, if—
(A) the State or local survey agency finds that it is more appropriate to take alternative action to assure compliance of the agency with the requirements than to terminate the certification of the agency,
(B) the agency has submitted a plan and timetable for corrective action to the Secretary for approval and the Secretary approves the plan of corrective action, and
(C) the agency agrees to repay to the Federal Government payments received under this subparagraph if the corrective action is not taken in accordance with the approved plan and timetable.
The Secretary shall establish guidelines for approval of corrective actions requested by home health agencies under this subparagraph.
(f) Intermediate sanctions
(1) The Secretary shall develop and implement, by not later than April 1, 1989—
(A) a range of intermediate sanctions to apply to home health agencies under the conditions described in subsection (e), and
(B) appropriate procedures for appealing determinations relating to the imposition of such sanctions.
(2)
(A) The intermediate sanctions developed under paragraph (1) shall include—
(i) civil money penalties in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for each day of noncompliance,
(ii) suspension of all or part of the payments to which a home health agency would otherwise be entitled under this subchapter with respect to items and services furnished by a home health agency on or after the date on which the Secretary determines that intermediate sanctions should be imposed pursuant to subsection (e)(2), and
(iii) the appointment of temporary management to oversee the operation of the home health agency and to protect and assure the health and safety of the individuals under the care of the agency while improvements are made in order to bring the agency into compliance with all the requirements specified in or pursuant to section 1395x(o) of this title or subsection (a).
The provisions of section 1320a–7a of this title (other than subsections (a) and (b)) shall apply to a civil money penalty under clause (i) in the same manner as such provisions apply to a penalty or proceeding under section 1320a–7a(a) of this title. The temporary management under clause (iii) shall not be terminated until the Secretary has determined that the agency has the management capability to ensure continued compliance with all the requirements referred to in that clause.
(B) The sanctions specified in subparagraph (A) are in addition to sanctions otherwise available under State or Federal law and shall not be construed as limiting other remedies, including any remedy available to an individual at common law.
(C) A finding to suspend payment under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall terminate when the Secretary finds that the home health agency is in substantial compliance with all the requirements specified in or pursuant to section 1395x(o) of this title and subsection (a).
(3) The Secretary shall develop and implement, by not later than April 1, 1989, specific procedures with respect to the conditions under which each of the intermediate sanctions developed under paragraph (1) is to be applied, including the amount of any fines and the severity of each of these sanctions. Such procedures shall be designed so as to minimize the time between identification of deficiencies and imposition of these sanctions and shall provide for the imposition of incrementally more severe fines for repeated or uncorrected deficiencies.
(g) Payment on basis of location of service
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1891, as added and amended Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §§ 4021(b), 4022(a), 4023(a), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–67, 1330–69, 1330–71; Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, § 411(d)(1)(A), (2)–(3)(B), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 773, 774; Pub. L. 100–485, title VI, § 608(d)(20)(A), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2419; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, §§ 4206(d)(2), 4207(i)(1), formerly 4027(i)(1), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–116, 1388–123, renumbered Pub. L. 103–432, title I, § 160(d)(4), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4444; Pub. L. 104–134, title I, § 101(d) [title V, § 516(a)], Apr. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 1321–211, 1321–246; renumbered title I, Pub. L. 104–140, § 1(a), May 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 1327; Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4604(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 472; Pub. L. 108–173, title VII, § 736(c)(3), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2356.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395bbb

§ 1395ccc. Offset of payments to individuals to collect past-due obligations arising from breach of scholarship and loan contract
(a) In general
(1)
(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall enter into an agreement under this section with any individual who, by reason of a breach of a contract entered into by such individual pursuant to the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program, the Physician Shortage Area Scholarship Program, or the Health Education Assistance Loan Program, owes a past-due obligation to the United States (as defined in subsection (b)).
(B) The Secretary shall not enter into an agreement with an individual under this section to the extent—
(i)(I) the individual has entered into a contract with the Secretary pursuant to section 204(a)(1) of the Public Health Service Amendments of 1987, and(II) the individual has fulfilled or (as determined by the Secretary) is fulfilling the terms of such contract; or
(ii) the liability of the individual under such section 204(a)(1) has otherwise been relieved under such section; or
(iii) the individual is performing such physician’s 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “individual’s”.
service obligation under a forbearance agreement entered into with the Secretary under subpart II of part D of title III of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 254d et seq.].
(2) The agreement under this section shall provide that—
(A) deductions shall be made from the amounts otherwise payable to the individual under this subchapter, in accordance with a formula and schedule agreed to by the Secretary and the individual, until such past-due obligation (and accrued interest) have been repaid;
(B) payment under this subchapter for services provided by such individual shall be made only on an assignment-related basis;
(C) if the individual does not provide services, for which payment would otherwise be made under this subchapter, of a sufficient quantity to maintain the offset collection according to the agreed upon formula and schedule—
(i) the Secretary shall immediately inform the Attorney General, and the Attorney General shall immediately commence an action to recover the full amount of the past-due obligation, and
(ii) subject to paragraph (4), the Secretary shall immediately exclude the individual from the program under this subchapter, until such time as the entire past-due obligation has been repaid.
(3) If the individual refuses to enter into an agreement or breaches any provision of the agreement—
(A) the Secretary shall immediately inform the Attorney General, and the Attorney General shall immediately commence an action to recover the full amount of the past-due obligation, and
(B) subject to paragraph (4), the Secretary shall immediately exclude the individual from the program under this subchapter, until such time as the entire past-due obligation has been repaid.
(4) The Secretary shall not exclude an individual pursuant to paragraph (2)(C)(ii) or paragraph (3)(B) if such individual is a sole community practitioner or sole source of essential specialized services in a community if a State requests that the individual not be excluded.
(b) Past-due obligationFor purposes of this section, a past-due obligation is any amount—
(1) owed by an individual to the United States by reason of a breach of a scholarship contract under section 338E of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 254o] or under subpart III of part F of title VII of such Act (as in effect before October 1, 1976) and which has not been paid by the deadline established by the Secretary pursuant to such respective section, and has not been canceled, waived, or suspended by the Secretary pursuant to such section; or
(2) owed by an individual to the United States by reason of a loan covered by Federal loan insurance under subpart I 2
2 See References in Text note below.
of part C of title VII of the Public Health Service Act and payment for which has not been cancelled, waived, or suspended by the Secretary under such subpart.
(c) Collection under this section shall not be exclusive
(d) Collection from providers and health maintenance organizations
(1) In the case of an individual who owes a past-due obligation, and who is an employee of, or affiliated by a medical services agreement with, a provider having an agreement under section 1395cc of this title or a health maintenance organization or competitive medical plan having a contract under section 1395l of this title or , the Secretary shall deduct the amounts of such past-due obligation from amounts otherwise payable under this subchapter to such provider, organization, or plan.
(2) Deductions shall be in accordance with a formula and schedule agreed to by the Secretary, the individual and the provider, organization, or plan. The deductions shall be made from the amounts otherwise payable to the individual under this subchapter as long as the individual continues to be employed or affiliated by a medical services agreement.
(3) Such deduction shall not be made until 6 months after the Secretary notifies the provider, organization, or plan of the amount to be deducted and the particular physicians 3
3 So in original. Probably should be “individuals”.
to whom the deductions are attributable.
(4) A deduction made under this subsection shall relieve the individual of the obligation (to the extent of the amount collected) to the United States, but the provider, organization, or plan shall have a right of action to collect from such individual the amount deducted pursuant to this subsection (including accumulated interest).
(5) No deduction shall be made under this subsection if, within the 6-month period after notice is given to the provider, organization, or plan, the individual pays the past-due obligation, or ceases to be employed by the provider, organization, or plan.
(6) The Secretary shall also apply the provisions of this subsection in the case of an individual who is a member of a group practice, if such group practice submits bills under this program as a group, rather than by individual physicians.3
(e) Transfer from trust funds
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1892, as added Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, § 4052(a), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–95; amended Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, § 411(f)(10)(A), (C)(i), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 780; Pub. L. 100–485, title VI, § 608(d)(21)(E)–(H), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2420.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395ccc

§ 1395ddd. Medicare Integrity Program
(a) Establishment of Program
(b) Activities describedThe activities described in this subsection are as follows:
(1) Review of activities of providers of services or other individuals and entities furnishing items and services for which payment may be made under this subchapter (including skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies), including medical and utilization review and fraud review (employing similar standards, processes, and technologies used by private health plans, including equipment and software technologies which surpass the capability of the equipment and technologies used in the review of claims under this subchapter as of August 21, 1996).
(2) Audit of cost reports.
(3) Determinations as to whether payment should not be, or should not have been, made under this subchapter by reason of section 1395y(b) of this title, and recovery of payments that should not have been made.
(4) Education of providers of services, beneficiaries, and other persons with respect to payment integrity and benefit quality assurance issues.
(5) Developing (and periodically updating) a list of items of durable medical equipment in accordance with section 1395m(a)(15) of this title which are subject to prior authorization under such section.
(6) The Medicare-Medicaid Data Match Program in accordance with subsection (g).
(c) Eligibility of entitiesAn entity is eligible to enter into a contract under the Program to carry out any of the activities described in subsection (b) if—
(1) the entity has demonstrated capability to carry out such activities;
(2) in carrying out such activities, the entity agrees to cooperate with the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Attorney General, and other law enforcement agencies, as appropriate, in the investigation and deterrence of fraud and abuse in relation to this subchapter and in other cases arising out of such activities;
(3) the entity complies with such conflict of interest standards as are generally applicable to Federal acquisition and procurement;
(4) the entity agrees to provide the Secretary and the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services with such performance statistics (including the number and amount of overpayments recovered, the number of fraud referrals, and the return on investment of such activities by the entity) as the Secretary or the Inspector General may request; and
(5) the entity meets such other requirements as the Secretary may impose.
In the case of the activity described in subsection (b)(5), an entity shall be deemed to be eligible to enter into a contract under the Program to carry out the activity if the entity is a carrier with a contract in effect under section 1395u of this title.
(d) Process for entering into contractsThe Secretary shall enter into contracts under the Program in accordance with such procedures as the Secretary shall by regulation establish, except that such procedures shall include the following:
(1) Procedures for identifying, evaluating, and resolving organizational conflicts of interest that are generally applicable to Federal acquisition and procurement.
(2) Competitive procedures to be used—
(A) when entering into new contracts under this section;
(B) when entering into contracts that may result in the elimination of responsibilities of an individual fiscal intermediary or carrier under section 202(b) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; and
(C) at any other time considered appropriate by the Secretary,
except that the Secretary may continue to contract with entities that are carrying out the activities described in this section pursuant to agreements under section 1395h of this title or contracts under section 1395u of this title in effect on August 21, 1996.
(3) Procedures under which a contract under this section may be renewed without regard to any provision of law requiring competition if the contractor has met or exceeded the performance requirements established in the current contract.
The Secretary may enter into such contracts without regard to final rules having been promulgated.
(e) Limitation on contractor liability
(f) Recovery of overpayments
(1) Use of repayment plans
(A) In general
(B) Hardship
(i) In generalFor purposes of subparagraph (A), the repayment of an overpayment (or overpayments) within 30 days is deemed to constitute a hardship if—(I) in the case of a provider of services that files cost reports, the aggregate amount of the overpayments exceeds 10 percent of the amount paid under this subchapter to the provider of services for the cost reporting period covered by the most recently submitted cost report; or(II) in the case of another provider of services or supplier, the aggregate amount of the overpayments exceeds 10 percent of the amount paid under this subchapter to the provider of services or supplier for the previous calendar year.
(ii) Rule of application
(iii) Treatment of previous overpayments
(C) ExceptionsSubparagraph (A) shall not apply if—
(i) the Secretary has reason to suspect that the provider of services or supplier may file for bankruptcy or otherwise cease to do business or discontinue participation in the program under this subchapter; or
(ii) there is an indication of fraud or abuse committed against the program.
(D) Immediate collection if violation of repayment plan
(E) Relation to no fault provision
(2) Limitation on recoupment
(A) In general
(B) Collection with interest
(C) Medicare contractor defined
(3) Limitation on use of extrapolationA medicare contractor may not use extrapolation to determine overpayment amounts to be recovered by recoupment, offset, or otherwise unless the Secretary determines that—
(A) there is a sustained or high level of payment error; or
(B) documented educational intervention has failed to correct the payment error.
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1395ff of this title, section 1395oo of this title, or otherwise, of determinations by the Secretary of sustained or high levels of payment errors under this paragraph.
(4) Provision of supporting documentation
(5) Consent settlement reforms
(A) In general
(B) Opportunity to submit additional information before consent settlement offerBefore offering a provider of services or supplier a consent settlement, the Secretary shall—
(i) communicate to the provider of services or supplier—(I) that, based on a review of the medical records requested by the Secretary, a preliminary evaluation of those records indicates that there would be an overpayment;(II) the nature of the problems identified in such evaluation; and(III) the steps that the provider of services or supplier should take to address the problems; and
(ii) provide for a 45-day period during which the provider of services or supplier may furnish additional information concerning the medical records for the claims that had been reviewed.
(C) Consent settlement offerThe Secretary shall review any additional information furnished by the provider of services or supplier under subparagraph (B)(ii). Taking into consideration such information, the Secretary shall determine if there still appears to be an overpayment. If so, the Secretary—
(i) shall provide notice of such determination to the provider of services or supplier, including an explanation of the reason for such determination; and
(ii) in order to resolve the overpayment, may offer the provider of services or supplier—(I) the opportunity for a statistically valid random sample; or(II) a consent settlement.
The opportunity provided under clause (ii)(I) does not waive any appeal rights with respect to the alleged overpayment involved.
(D) Consent settlement defined
(6) Notice of over-utilization of codes
(7) Payment audits
(A) Written notice for post-payment audits
(B) Explanation of findings for all auditsSubject to subparagraph (C), if a medicare contractor audits a provider of services or supplier under this subchapter, the contractor shall—
(i) give the provider of services or supplier a full review and explanation of the findings of the audit in a manner that is understandable to the provider of services or supplier and permits the development of an appropriate corrective action plan;
(ii) inform the provider of services or supplier of the appeal rights under this subchapter as well as consent settlement options (which are at the discretion of the Secretary);
(iii) give the provider of services or supplier an opportunity to provide additional information to the contractor; and
(iv) take into account information provided, on a timely basis, by the provider of services or supplier under clause (iii).
(C) Exception
(8) Standard methodology for probe sampling
(g) Medicare-Medicaid Data Match Program
(1) Expansion of Program
(A) In generalThe Secretary shall enter into contracts with eligible entities or otherwise for the purpose of ensuring that, beginning with 2006, the Medicare-Medicaid Data Match Program (commonly referred to as the “Medi-Medi Program”) is conducted with respect to the program established under this subchapter and State Medicaid programs under subchapter XIX for the purpose of—
(i) identifying program vulnerabilities in the program established under this subchapter and the Medicaid program established under subchapter XIX through the use of computer algorithms to review claims data to look for payment anomalies (including billing or billing patterns identified with respect to provider, service, time, or patient that appear to be suspect or otherwise implausible);
(ii) working with States, the Attorney General, and the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate appropriate actions to investigate and recover amounts with respect to suspect claims to protect the Federal and State share of expenditures under the Medicaid program under subchapter XIX, as well as the program established under this subchapter;
(iii) increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of both such programs through cost avoidance, savings, and recoupments of fraudulent, wasteful, or abusive expenditures; and
(iv) furthering the Secretary’s design, development, installation, or enhancement of an automated data system architecture—(I) to collect, integrate, and assess data for purposes of program integrity, program oversight, and administration, including the Medi-Medi Program; and(II) that improves the coordination of requests for data from States.
(B) Reporting requirements
(2) Limited waiver authority
(3) Incentives for States
(h) Use of recovery audit contractors
(1) In generalUnder the Program, the Secretary shall enter into contracts with recovery audit contractors in accordance with this subsection for the purpose of identifying underpayments and overpayments and recouping overpayments under this subchapter with respect to all services for which payment is made under this subchapter. Under the contracts—
(A) payment shall be made to such a contractor only from amounts recovered;
(B) from such amounts recovered, payment—
(i) shall be made on a contingent basis for collecting overpayments; and
(ii) may be made in such amounts as the Secretary may specify for identifying underpayments; and
(C) the Secretary shall retain a portion of the amounts recovered which shall be available to the program management account of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for purposes of activities conducted under the recovery audit program under this subsection.
(2) Disposition of remaining recoveries
(3) Nationwide coverage
(4) Audit and recovery periodsEach such contract shall provide that audit and recovery activities may be conducted during a fiscal year with respect to payments made under this subchapter—
(A) during such fiscal year; and
(B) retrospectively (for a period of not more than 4 fiscal years prior to such fiscal year).
(5) Waiver
(6) Qualifications of contractors
(A) In general
(B) Ineligibility of certain contractors
(C) Preference for entities with demonstrated proficiency
(7) Construction relating to conduct of investigation of fraud
(8) Annual report
(9) Special rules relating to parts C and DThe Secretary shall enter into contracts under paragraph (1) to require recovery audit contractors to—
(A) ensure that each MA plan under part C has an anti-fraud plan in effect and to review the effectiveness of each such anti-fraud plan;
(B) ensure that each prescription drug plan under part D has an anti-fraud plan in effect and to review the effectiveness of each such anti-fraud plan;
(C) examine claims for reinsurance payments under section 1395w–115(b) of this title to determine whether prescription drug plans submitting such claims incurred costs in excess of the allowable reinsurance costs permitted under paragraph (2) of that section; and
(D) review estimates submitted by prescription drug plans by private plans with respect to the enrollment of high cost beneficiaries (as defined by the Secretary) and to compare such estimates with the numbers of such beneficiaries actually enrolled by such plans.
(10) Use of certain recovered funds
(A) In general
(B) Limitation
(C) No reduction in payments to recovery audit contractors
(i) Evaluations and annual report
(1) Evaluations
(2) Annual reportNot later than 180 days after the end of each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2011), the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress which identifies—
(A) the use of funds, including funds transferred from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under section 1395i of this title and the Federal Supplementary Insurance Trust Fund under section 1395t of this title, to carry out this section; and
(B) the effectiveness of the use of such funds.
(j) Expanding activities of Medicare drug integrity contractors (MEDICs)
(1) Access to information
(2) Requirement for acknowledgment of referralsIf a PDP sponsor or MA organization refers information to a contractor described in paragraph (1) in order for such contractor to assist in the determination described in such paragraph, the contractor shall—
(A) acknowledge to the sponsor or organization receipt of the referral; and
(B) in the case that any PDP sponsor or MA organization contacts the contractor requesting to know the determination by the contractor of whether or not an individual has been determined to be an individual described in such paragraph, shall 2
2 So in original. The word “shall” probably should not appear.
inform such sponsor or organization of such determination on a date that is not later than 15 days after the date on which the sponsor or organization contacts the contractor.
(3) Making data available to other entities
(A) In general
(B) HIPAA compliant information only
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1893, as added Pub. L. 104–191, title II, § 202(a), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 1996; amended Pub. L. 108–173, title VII, § 736(c)(7), title IX, § 935(a), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2356, 2407; Pub. L. 109–171, title VI, § 6034(d)(1), Feb. 8, 2006, 120 Stat. 77; Pub. L. 109–432, div. B, title III, § 302(a), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2991; Pub. L. 111–148, title VI, §§ 6402(j)(1), 6411(b), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 762, 775; Pub. L. 114–10, title V, §§ 505(b), 510, Apr. 16, 2015, 129 Stat. 167, 170; Pub. L. 114–115, § 9(b), Dec. 28, 2015, 129 Stat. 3135; Pub. L. 114–198, title VII, § 704(c)(1), July 22, 2016, 130 Stat. 749.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395ddd

§ 1395eee. Payments to, and coverage of benefits under, programs of all-inclusive care for elderly (PACE)
(a) Receipt of benefits through enrollment in PACE program; definitions for PACE program related terms
(1) Benefits through enrollment in a PACE programIn accordance with this section, in the case of an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B and who is a PACE program eligible individual (as defined in paragraph (5)) with respect to a PACE program offered by a PACE provider under a PACE program agreement—
(A) the individual may enroll in the program under this section; and
(B) so long as the individual is so enrolled and in accordance with regulations—
(i) the individual shall receive benefits under this subchapter solely through such program; and
(ii) the PACE provider is entitled to payment under and in accordance with this section and such agreement for provision of such benefits.
(2) “PACE program” definedFor purposes of this section, the term “PACE program” means a program of all-inclusive care for the elderly that meets the following requirements:
(A) Operation
(B) Comprehensive benefits
(C) Transition
(3) “PACE provider” defined
(A) In generalFor purposes of this section, the term “PACE provider” means an entity that—
(i) subject to subparagraph (B), is (or is a distinct part of) a public entity or a private, nonprofit entity organized for charitable purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
(ii) has entered into a PACE program agreement with respect to its operation of a PACE program.
(B) Treatment of private, for-profit providersClause (i) of subparagraph (A) shall not apply—
(i) to entities subject to a demonstration project waiver under subsection (h); and
(ii) after the date the report under section 4804(b) of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 is submitted, unless the Secretary determines that any of the findings described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (2) of such section are true.
(4) “PACE program agreement” defined
(5) “PACE program eligible individual” definedFor purposes of this section, the term “PACE program eligible individual” means, with respect to a PACE program, an individual who—
(A) is 55 years of age or older;
(B) subject to subsection (c)(4), is determined under subsection (c) to require the level of care required under the State medicaid plan for coverage of nursing facility services;
(C) resides in the service area of the PACE program; and
(D) meets such other eligibility conditions as may be imposed under the PACE program agreement for the program under subsection (e)(2)(A)(ii).
(6) “PACE protocol” defined
(7) “PACE demonstration waiver program” definedFor purposes of this section, the term “PACE demonstration waiver program” means a demonstration program under either of the following sections (as in effect before the date of their repeal):
(A) Section 603(c) of the Social Security Amendments of 1983 (Public Law 98–21), as extended by section 9220 of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (Public Law 99–272).
(B) Section 9412(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (Public Law 99–509).
(8) “State administering agency” defined
(9) “Trial period” defined
(A) In general
(B) Treatment of entities previously operating PACE demonstration waiver programs
(10) “Regulations” defined
(b) Scope of benefits; beneficiary safeguards
(1) In generalUnder a PACE program agreement, a PACE provider shall—
(A) provide to PACE program eligible individuals enrolled with the provider, regardless of source of payment and directly or under contracts with other entities, at a minimum—
(i) all items and services covered under this subchapter (for individuals enrolled under this section) and all items and services covered under subchapter XIX, but without any limitation or condition as to amount, duration, or scope and without application of deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing that would otherwise apply under this subchapter or such subchapter, respectively; and
(ii) all additional items and services specified in regulations, based upon those required under the PACE protocol;
(B) provide such enrollees access to necessary covered items and services 24 hours per day, every day of the year;
(C) provide services to such enrollees through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary health and social services delivery system which integrates acute and long-term care services pursuant to regulations; and
(D) specify the covered items and services that will not be provided directly by the entity, and to arrange for delivery of those items and services through contracts meeting the requirements of regulations.
(2) Quality assurance; patient safeguardsThe PACE program agreement shall require the PACE provider to have in effect at a minimum—
(A) a written plan of quality assurance and improvement, and procedures implementing such plan, in accordance with regulations; and
(B) written safeguards of the rights of enrolled participants (including a patient bill of rights and procedures for grievances and appeals) in accordance with regulations and with other requirements of this subchapter and Federal and State law that are designed for the protection of patients.
(3) Treatment of medicare services furnished by noncontract physicians and other entities
(A) Application of medicare advantage requirement with respect to medicare services furnished by noncontract physicians and other entities
(B) Reference to related provision for noncontract providers of services
(4) Reference to related provision for services covered under subchapter XIX but not under this subchapter
(c) Eligibility determinations
(1) In generalThe determination of whether an individual is a PACE program eligible individual—
(A) shall be made under and in accordance with the PACE program agreement; and
(B) who is entitled to medical assistance under subchapter XIX, shall be made (or who is not so entitled, may be made) by the State administering agency.
(2) Condition
(3) Annual eligibility recertifications
(A) In general
(B) Exception
(4) Continuation of eligibility
(5) Enrollment; disenrollment
(A) Voluntary disenrollment at any time
(B) Limitations on disenrollment
(i) In generalRegulations promulgated by the Secretary under this section and section 1396u–4 of this title, and the PACE program agreement, shall provide that the PACE program may not disenroll a PACE program eligible individual except—(I) for nonpayment of premiums (if applicable) on a timely basis; or(II) for engaging in disruptive or threatening behavior, as defined in such regulations (developed in close consultation with State administering agencies).
(ii) No disenrollment for noncompliant behavior
(iii) Timely review of proposed nonvoluntary disenrollment
(d) Payments to PACE providers on capitated basis
(1) In general
(2) Capitation amount
(3) Capitation rates determined without regard to the phase-out of the indirect costs of medical education from the annual Medicare Advantage capitation rate
(e) PACE program agreement
(1) Requirement
(A) In general
(B) Numerical limitation
(i) In generalThe Secretary shall not permit the number of PACE providers with which agreements are in effect under this section or under section 9412(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 to exceed—(I) 40 as of August 5, 1997; or(II) as of each succeeding anniversary of August 5, 1997, the numerical limitation under this subparagraph for the preceding year plus 20.
 Subclause (II) shall apply without regard to the actual number of agreements in effect as of a previous anniversary date.
(ii) Treatment of certain private, for-profit providersThe numerical limitation in clause (i) shall not apply to a PACE provider that—(I) is operating under a demonstration project waiver under subsection (h); or(II) was operating under such a waiver and subsequently qualifies for PACE provider status pursuant to subsection (a)(3)(B)(ii).
(2) Service area and eligibility
(A) In generalA PACE program agreement for a PACE program—
(i) shall designate the service area of the program;
(ii) may provide additional requirements for individuals to qualify as PACE program eligible individuals with respect to the program;
(iii) shall be effective for a contract year, but may be extended for additional contract years in the absence of a notice by a party to terminate and is subject to termination by the Secretary and the State administering agency at any time for cause (as provided under the agreement);
(iv) shall require a PACE provider to meet all applicable State and local laws and requirements; and
(v) shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the parties may agree to, so long as such terms and conditions are consistent with this section and regulations.
(B) Service area overlap
(3) Data collection; development of outcome measures
(A) Data collection
(i) In generalUnder a PACE program agreement, the PACE provider shall—(I) collect data;(II) maintain, and afford the Secretary and the State administering agency access to, the records relating to the program, including pertinent financial, medical, and personnel records; and(III) make available to the Secretary and the State administering agency reports that the Secretary finds (in consultation with State administering agencies) necessary to monitor the operation, cost, and effectiveness of the PACE program under this section and section 1396u–4 of this title.
(ii) Requirements during trial period
(B) Development of outcome measures
(4) Oversight
(A) Annual, close oversight during trial periodDuring the trial period (as defined in subsection (a)(9)) with respect to a PACE program operated by a PACE provider, the Secretary (in cooperation with the State administering agency) shall conduct a comprehensive annual review of the operation of the PACE program by the provider in order to assure compliance with the requirements of this section and regulations. Such a review shall include—
(i) an on-site visit to the program site;
(ii) comprehensive assessment of a provider’s fiscal soundness;
(iii) comprehensive assessment of the provider’s capacity to provide all PACE services to all enrolled participants;
(iv) detailed analysis of the entity’s substantial compliance with all significant requirements of this section and regulations; and
(v) any other elements the Secretary or State administering agency considers necessary or appropriate.
(B) Continuing oversight
(C) Disclosure
(5) Termination of PACE provider agreements
(A) In generalUnder regulations—
(i) the Secretary or a State administering agency may terminate a PACE program agreement for cause; and
(ii) a PACE provider may terminate an agreement after appropriate notice to the Secretary, the State agency, and enrollees.
(B) Causes for terminationIn accordance with regulations establishing procedures for termination of PACE program agreements, the Secretary or a State administering agency may terminate a PACE program agreement with a PACE provider for, among other reasons, the fact that—
(i) the Secretary or State administering agency determines that—(I) there are significant deficiencies in the quality of care provided to enrolled participants; or(II) the provider has failed to comply substantially with conditions for a program or provider under this section or section 1396u–4 of this title; and
(ii) the entity has failed to develop and successfully initiate, within 30 days of the date of the receipt of written notice of such a determination, a plan to correct the deficiencies, or has failed to continue implementation of such a plan.
(C) Termination and transition procedures
(6) Secretary’s oversight; enforcement authority
(A) In generalUnder regulations, if the Secretary determines (after consultation with the State administering agency) that a PACE provider is failing substantially to comply with the requirements of this section and regulations, the Secretary (and the State administering agency) may take any or all of the following actions:
(i) Condition the continuation of the PACE program agreement upon timely execution of a corrective action plan.
(ii) Withhold some or all further payments under the PACE program agreement under this section or section 1396u–4 of this title with respect to PACE program services furnished by such provider until the deficiencies have been corrected.
(iii) Terminate such agreement.
(B) Application of intermediate sanctions
(7) Procedures for termination or imposition of sanctions
(8) Timely consideration of applications for PACE program provider status
(f) Regulations
(1) In general
(2) Use of PACE protocol
(A) In general
(B) FlexibilityIn order to provide for reasonable flexibility in adapting the PACE service delivery model to the needs of particular organizations (such as those in rural areas or those that may determine it appropriate to use nonstaff physicians according to State licensing law requirements) under this section and section 1396u–4 of this title, the Secretary (in close consultation with State administering agencies) may modify or waive provisions of the PACE protocol so long as any such modification or waiver is not inconsistent with and would not impair the essential elements, objectives, and requirements of this section, but may not modify or waive any of the following provisions:
(i) The focus on frail elderly qualifying individuals who require the level of care provided in a nursing facility.
(ii) The delivery of comprehensive, integrated acute and long-term care services.
(iii) The interdisciplinary team approach to care management and service delivery.
(iv) Capitated, integrated financing that allows the provider to pool payments received from public and private programs and individuals.
(v) The assumption by the provider of full financial risk.
(C) Continuation of modifications or waivers of operational requirements under demonstration status
(3) Application of certain additional beneficiary and program protections
(A) In general
(B) ConsiderationsIn issuing such regulations, the Secretary shall—
(i) take into account the differences between populations served and benefits provided under this section and under part C (or, for periods before January 1, 1999, section 1395mm of this title) and section 1396b(m) of this title;
(ii) not include any requirement that conflicts with carrying out PACE programs under this section; and
(iii) not include any requirement restricting the proportion of enrollees who are eligible for benefits under this subchapter or subchapter XIX.
(4) Construction
(g) Waivers of requirementsWith respect to carrying out a PACE program under this section, the following requirements of this subchapter (and regulations relating to such requirements) are waived and shall not apply:
(1)Section 1395d of this title, insofar as it limits coverage of institutional services.
(2) Sections 1395e, 1395f, 1395l, and 1395ww of this title, insofar as such sections relate to rules for payment for benefits.
(3) Sections 1395f(a)(2)(B), 1395f(a)(2)(C), and 1395n(a)(2)(A) of this title, insofar as they limit coverage of extended care services or home health services.
(4)Section 1395x(i) of this title, insofar as it imposes a 3-day prior hospitalization requirement for coverage of extended care services.
(5) Paragraphs (1) and (9) of section 1395y(a) of this title, insofar as they may prevent payment for PACE program services to individuals enrolled under PACE programs.
(h) Demonstration project for for-profit entities
(1) In general
(2) Similar terms and conditions
(A) In general
(B) Numerical limitation
(i) Miscellaneous provisions
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1894, as added Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4801, Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 528; amended Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title IX, § 902(a)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–582; Pub. L. 108–173, title II, § 236(a)(2), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2210; Pub. L. 110–275, title I, § 161(c), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2569; Pub. L. 111–148, title III, § 3201(i)(1), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 453; Pub. L. 111–152, title I, § 1102(a), Mar. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 1040.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395eee

§ 1395fff. Prospective payment for home health services
(a) In general
(b) System of prospective payment for home health services
(1) In general
(2) Unit of payment
(A) In general
(B) 30-day unit of service
(3) Payment basis
(A) Initial basis
(i) In general
Under such system the Secretary shall provide for computation of a standard prospective payment amount (or amounts) as follows:
(I) Such amount (or amounts) shall initially be based on the most current audited cost report data available to the Secretary and shall be computed in a manner so that the total amounts payable under the system for the 12-month period beginning on the date the Secretary implements the system shall be equal to the total amount that would have been made if the system had not been in effect and if section 1395x(v)(1)(L)(ix) of this title had not been enacted.(II) For the 12-month period beginning after the period described in subclause (I), such amount (or amounts) shall be equal to the amount (or amounts) determined under subclause (I), updated under subparagraph (B).(III) Subject to clause (iii), for periods beginning after the period described in subclause (II), such amount (or amounts) shall be equal to the amount (or amounts) that would have been determined under subclause (I) that would have been made for fiscal year 2001 if the system had not been in effect and if section 1395x(v)(1)(L)(ix) of this title had not been enacted but if the reduction in limits described in clause (ii) had been in effect, updated under subparagraph (B).
 Each such amount shall be standardized in a manner that eliminates the effect of variations in relative case mix and area wage adjustments among different home health agencies in a budget neutral manner consistent with the case mix and wage level adjustments provided under paragraph (4)(A). Under the system, the Secretary may recognize regional differences or differences based upon whether or not the services or agency are in an urbanized area.
(ii) Reduction
(iii) Adjustment for 2014 and subsequent years(I) In general(II) Transition
(iv) Budget neutrality for 2020
(B) Annual update
(i) In general
(ii) Home health applicable increase percentage
For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “home health applicable increase percentage” means, with respect to—
(I) each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003, the home health market basket percentage increase (as defined in clause (iii)) minus 1.1 percentage points;(II) for 1
1 So in original. The word “for” probably should not appear.
the last calendar quarter of 2003 and the first calendar quarter of 2004, the home health market basket percentage increase;(III) the last 3 calendar quarters of 2004, and all of 2005 2
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
the home health market basket percentage increase minus 0.8 percentage points;(IV) 2006, 0 percent; and(V) any subsequent year, subject to clauses (v) and (vi), the home health market basket percentage increase.
(iii) Home health market basket percentage increase
(iv) Adjustment for case mix changes
(v) Adjustment if quality data not submitted(I) Adjustment(II) Submission of quality data(III) Public availability of data submitted(IV) Submission of additional data(aa) In general(bb) Standardized patient assessment data(cc) Submission(V) Non-duplication
(vi) Adjustments
After determining the home health market basket percentage increase under clause (iii), and after application of clause (v), the Secretary shall reduce such percentage—
(I) for 2015 and each subsequent year (except 2018 and 2020), by the productivity adjustment described in section 1395ww(b)(3)(B)(xi)(II) of this title; and(II) for each of 2011, 2012, and 2013, by 1 percentage point.
 The application of this clause may result in the home health market basket percentage increase under clause (iii) being less than 0.0 for a year, and may result in payment rates under the system under this subsection for a year being less than such payment rates for the preceding year.
(C) Adjustment for outliers
(D) Behavior assumptions and adjustments
(i) In general
(ii) Permanent adjustments
(iii) Temporary adjustments for retrospective behavior
(4) Payment computation
(A) In general
The payment amount for a unit of home health services shall be the applicable standard prospective payment amount adjusted as follows:
(i) Case mix adjustment
(ii) Area wage adjustment
(B) Establishment of case mix adjustment factors
(i) In general
(ii) Treatment of therapy thresholds
(C) Establishment of area wage adjustment factors
(5) Outliers
(A) In general
(B) Program specific outlier cap
(6) Proration of prospective payment amounts
(c) Requirements for payment information
With respect to home health services furnished on or after October 1, 1998, no claim for such a service may be paid under this subchapter unless—
(1) the claim has the unique identifier for the physician 2 the nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in section 1395x(aa)(5) of this title), or the physician assistant (as defined in section 1395x(aa)(5) of this title) who prescribed the services or made the certification described in section 1395f(a)(2) or 1395n(a)(2)(A) of this title;
(2) in the case of a service visit described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of section 1395x(m) of this title, the claim contains a code (or codes) specified by the Secretary that identifies the length of time of the service visit, as measured in 15 minute increments; and
(3) in the case of home health services furnished on or after January 1, 2019, the claim contains the code for the county (or equivalent area) in which the home health service was furnished.
(d) Limitation on review
There shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1395ff of this title, 1395oo of this title, or otherwise of—
(1) the establishment of a transition period under subsection (b)(1);
(2) the definition and application of payment units under subsection (b)(2);
(3) the computation of initial standard prospective payment amounts under subsection (b)(3)(A) (including the reduction described in clause (ii) of such subsection);
(4) the establishment of the adjustment for outliers under subsection (b)(3)(C);
(5) the establishment of case mix and area wage adjustments under subsection (b)(4); and
(6) the establishment of any adjustments for outliers under subsection (b)(5).
(e) Construction related to home health services
(1) Telecommunications
Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing a home health agency furnishing a home health unit of service for which payment is made under the prospective payment system established by this section for such units of service from furnishing services via a telecommunication system if such services—
(A) do not substitute for in-person home health services ordered as part of a plan of care certified by a physician 2 a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist, or a physician assistant pursuant to section 1395f(a)(2)(C) or 1395n(a)(2)(A) of this title; and
(B) are not considered a home health visit for purposes of eligibility or payment under this subchapter.
(2) Rule of construction regarding requirement for certification
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1895, as added Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4603(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 467; amended Pub. L. 105–277, div. J, title V, § 5101(c)(1), (d)(2), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–914; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(6) [title III, §§ 302(b), 303(b), 306, 321(k)(19)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–359, 1501A–361, 1501A–362, 1501A–368; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title V, §§ 501(a), (c)(1), 504], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–529, 2763A–531; Pub. L. 108–173, title VII, § 701, Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2334; Pub. L. 109–171, title V, § 5201(a), (c), Feb. 8, 2006, 120 Stat. 46; Pub. L. 111–148, title III, §§ 3131(a)(1), (b), 3401(e), title X, §§ 10315(a), 10319(d), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 427, 428, 483, 944, 949; Pub. L. 113–185, § 2(c)(1), Oct. 6, 2014, 128 Stat. 1962; Pub. L. 114–10, title IV, § 411(c), Apr. 16, 2015, 129 Stat. 161; Pub. L. 115–123, div. E, title II, § 50208(a)(2), title X, § 51001(a), title XII, § 53110, Feb. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 189, 289, 304; Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title III, § 3708(d), Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 421.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395fff

§ 1395ggg. Omitted

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395ggg

§ 1395hhh. Health care infrastructure improvement program
(a) Establishment
(b) Application
(c) Selection criteria
(1) In general
(2) Qualifying hospital defined
For purposes of this section, the term “qualifying hospital” means a hospital or an entity described in paragraph (3) that—
(A) is engaged in research in the causes, prevention, and treatment of cancer; and
(B) is designated as a cancer center for the National Cancer Institute or is designated by the State legislature as the official cancer institute of the State and such designation by the State legislature occurred prior to December 8, 2003.
(3) Entity described
An entity described in this paragraph is an entity that—
(A) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code;
(B) has at least 1 existing memorandum of understanding or affiliation agreement with a hospital located in the State in which the entity is located; and
(C) retains clinical outpatient treatment for cancer on site as well as lab research and education and outreach for cancer in the same facility.
(d) Projects
(e) State and local permits
The provision of a loan under this section with respect to a project shall not—
(1) relieve any recipient of the loan of any obligation to obtain any required State or local permit or approval with respect to the project;
(2) limit the right of any unit of State or local government to approve or regulate any rate of return on private equity invested in the project; or
(3) otherwise supersede any State or local law (including any regulation) applicable to the construction or operation of the project.
(f) Forgiveness of indebtedness
The Secretary may forgive a loan provided to a qualifying hospital under this section under terms and conditions that are analogous to the loan forgiveness provision for student loans under part D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.), except that the Secretary shall condition such forgiveness on the establishment by the hospital of—
(A) an outreach program for cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment that provides services to a substantial majority of the residents of a State or region, including residents of rural areas;
(B) an outreach program for cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment that provides services to multiple Indian tribes; and
(C)
(i) unique research resources (such as population databases); or
(ii) an affiliation with an entity that has unique research resources.
(g) Funding
(1) In general
(2) Administrative costs
(3) Availability
(h) Report to Congress
(i) Limitation on review
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1897, as added Pub. L. 108–173, title X, § 1016, Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2447; amended Pub. L. 109–13, div. A, title VI, § 6045(a), (b), May 11, 2005, 119 Stat. 294.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395hhh

§ 1395iii. Medicare Improvement Fund
(a) Establishment
(b) Funding
(1) In general
(2) Payment from Trust Funds
(3) Funding limitation
(4) No effect on payments in subsequent years
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1898, as added Pub. L. 110–252, title VII, § 7002(a), June 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 2394; amended Pub. L. 110–275, title I, § 188(a)(2)(B), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2589; Pub. L. 110–379, § 6, Oct. 8, 2008, 122 Stat. 4079; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title IV, § 4103(b), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 487; Pub. L. 111–118, div. B, § 1011(b), Dec. 19, 2009, 123 Stat. 3474; Pub. L. 111–148, title III, § 3112, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 421; Pub. L. 111–309, title II, § 207, Dec. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3291; Pub. L. 112–240, title VI, § 640, Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2357; Pub. L. 113–82, § 3, Feb. 15, 2014, 128 Stat. 1009; Pub. L. 113–93, title II, § 219, Apr. 1, 2014, 128 Stat. 1070; Pub. L. 113–185, § 3(e), Oct. 6, 2014, 128 Stat. 1969; Pub. L. 114–10, title V, § 518, Apr. 16, 2015, 129 Stat. 175; Pub. L. 114–60, § 2(c), Oct. 7, 2015, 129 Stat. 544; Pub. L. 114–113, div. O, title V, § 501, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 3018; Pub. L. 114–115, § 5, Dec. 28, 2015, 129 Stat. 3133; Pub. L. 114–198, title VII, § 704(h), July 22, 2016, 130 Stat. 752; Pub. L. 114–255, div. A, title V, § 5001, Dec. 13, 2016, 130 Stat. 1188; Pub. L. 115–63, title III, § 303, Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1172; Pub. L. 115–123, div. E, title XII, § 53115, Feb. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 306; Pub. L. 116–260, div. CC, title IV, § 408, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3008; Pub. L. 117–43, div. D, title I, § 3106, Sept. 30, 2021, 135 Stat. 380; Pub. L. 117–70, div. C, title I, § 2104(b), Dec. 3, 2021, 135 Stat. 1504; Pub. L. 117–71, § 6, Dec. 10, 2021, 135 Stat. 1508; Pub. L. 117–86, div. B, title I, § 1104(b), Feb. 18, 2022, 136 Stat. 17; Pub. L. 117–103, div. P, title II, § 313, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 809; Pub. L. 117–159, div. A, title III, § 13201, June 25, 2022, 136 Stat. 1333; Pub. L. 117–180, div. D, title I, § 104, Sept. 30, 2022, 136 Stat. 2135; Pub. L. 117–229, div. C, title I, § 104, Dec. 16, 2022, 136 Stat. 2311; Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title IV, § 4161, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5931; Pub. L. 118–22, div. B, title II, § 503, Nov. 17, 2023, 137 Stat. 123; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVIII, § 1853, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 709; Pub. L. 118–35, div. B, title I, § 132, Jan. 19, 2024, 138 Stat. 6; Pub. L. 118–42, div. G, title I, § 309, Mar. 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 417; Pub. L. 118–83, div. B, title II, § 222, Sept. 26, 2024, 138 Stat. 1539; Pub. L. 118–158, div. C, title II, § 3210, Dec. 21, 2024, 138 Stat. 1766; Pub. L. 119–4, div. B, title II, § 2210, Mar. 15, 2025, 139 Stat. 44; Pub. L. 119–37, div. F, title II, § 6212, Nov. 12, 2025, 139 Stat. 634; Pub. L. 119–75, div. J, title II, § 6228, Feb. 3, 2026, 140 Stat. 685.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395iii

§ 1395jjj. Shared savings program
(a) Establishment
(1)1
1 So in original. No par. (2) has been enacted.
In generalNot later than January 1, 2012, the Secretary shall establish a shared savings program (in this section referred to as the “program”) that promotes accountability for a patient population and coordinates items and services under parts A and B, and encourages investment in infrastructure and redesigned care processes for high quality and efficient service delivery. Under such program—
(A) groups of providers of services and suppliers meeting criteria specified by the Secretary may work together to manage and coordinate care for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries through an accountable care organization (referred to in this section as an “ACO”); and
(B) ACOs that meet quality performance standards established by the Secretary are eligible to receive payments for shared savings under subsection (d)(2).
(b) Eligible ACOs
(1) In generalSubject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection, as determined appropriate by the Secretary, the following groups of providers of services and suppliers which have established a mechanism for shared governance are eligible to participate as ACOs under the program under this section:
(A) ACO professionals in group practice arrangements.
(B) Networks of individual practices of ACO professionals.
(C) Partnerships or joint venture arrangements between hospitals and ACO professionals.
(D) Hospitals employing ACO professionals.
(E) Such other groups of providers of services and suppliers as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(2) RequirementsAn ACO shall meet the following requirements:
(A) The ACO shall be willing to become accountable for the quality, cost, and overall care of the Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries assigned to it.
(B) The ACO shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary to participate in the program for not less than a 3-year period (referred to in this section as the “agreement period”).
(C) The ACO shall have a formal legal structure that would allow the organization to receive and distribute payments for shared savings under subsection (d)(2) to participating providers of services and suppliers.
(D) The ACO shall include primary care ACO professionals that are sufficient for the number of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries assigned to the ACO under subsection (c). At a minimum, the ACO shall have at least 5,000 such beneficiaries assigned to it under subsection (c) in order to be eligible to participate in the ACO program.
(E) The ACO shall provide the Secretary with such information regarding ACO professionals participating in the ACO as the Secretary determines necessary to support the assignment of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries to an ACO, the implementation of quality and other reporting requirements under paragraph (3), and the determination of payments for shared savings under subsection (d)(2).
(F) The ACO shall have in place a leadership and management structure that includes clinical and administrative systems.
(G) The ACO shall define processes to promote evidence-based medicine and patient engagement, report on quality and cost measures, and coordinate care, such as through the use of telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and other such enabling technologies.
(H) The ACO shall demonstrate to the Secretary that it meets patient-centeredness criteria specified by the Secretary, such as the use of patient and caregiver assessments or the use of individualized care plans.
(I) An ACO that seeks to operate an ACO Beneficiary Incentive Program pursuant to subsection (m) shall apply to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and with such information as the Secretary may require.
(3) Quality and other reporting requirements
(A) In generalThe Secretary shall determine appropriate measures to assess the quality of care furnished by the ACO, such as measures of—
(i) clinical processes and outcomes;
(ii) patient and, where practicable, caregiver experience of care; and
(iii) utilization (such as rates of hospital admissions for ambulatory care sensitive conditions).
(B) Reporting requirements
(C) Quality performance standards
(D) Other reporting requirements
(4) No duplication in participation in shared savings programsA provider of services or supplier that participates in any of the following shall not be eligible to participate in an ACO under this section:
(A) A model tested or expanded under section 1315a of this title that involves shared savings under this subchapter, or any other program or demonstration project that involves such shared savings.
(B) The independence at home medical practice pilot program under section 1395cc–5 of this title.
(c) Assignment of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries to ACOs
(1) In generalSubject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall determine an appropriate method to assign Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries to an ACO based on their utilization of—
(A) in the case of performance years beginning on or after April 1, 2012, primary care services provided under this subchapter by an ACO professional described in subsection (h)(1)(A); and
(B) in the case of performance years beginning on or after January 1, 2019, services provided under this subchapter by a Federally qualified health center or rural health clinic (as those terms are defined in section 1395x(aa) of this title), as may be determined by the Secretary.
(2) Providing flexibility
(A) Choice of prospective assignment
(B) Assignment based on voluntary identification by medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries
(i) In general
(ii) Notification processThe Secretary shall establish a process under which a Medicare fee-for-service beneficiary is—(I) notified of their ability to make an identification described in clause (i); and(II) informed of the process by which they may make and change such identification.
(iii) Superseding claims-based assignment
(d) Payments and treatment of savings
(1) Payments
(A) In generalUnder the program, subject to paragraph (3), payments shall continue to be made to providers of services and suppliers participating in an ACO under the original Medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B in the same manner as they would otherwise be made except that a participating ACO is eligible to receive payment for shared savings under paragraph (2) if—
(i) the ACO meets quality performance standards established by the Secretary under subsection (b)(3); and
(ii) the ACO meets the requirement under subparagraph (B)(i).
(B) Savings requirement and benchmark
(i) Determining savings
(ii) Establish and update benchmark
(2) Payments for shared savings
(3) Monitoring avoidance of at-risk patients
(4) Termination
(e) Administration
(f) Waiver authority
(g) Limitations on reviewThere shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1395ff of this title, section 1395oo of this title, or otherwise of—
(1) the specification of criteria under subsection (a)(1)(B);
(2) the assessment of the quality of care furnished by an ACO and the establishment of performance standards under subsection (b)(3);
(3) the assignment of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries to an ACO under subsection (c);
(4) the determination of whether an ACO is eligible for shared savings under subsection (d)(2) and the amount of such shared savings, including the determination of the estimated average per capita Medicare expenditures under the ACO for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries assigned to the ACO and the average benchmark for the ACO under subsection (d)(1)(B);
(5) the percent of shared savings specified by the Secretary under subsection (d)(2) and any limit on the total amount of shared savings established by the Secretary under such subsection; and
(6) the termination of an ACO under subsection (d)(4) or of an ACO Beneficiary Incentive Program under subsections (b)(2)(I) and (m).
(h) DefinitionsIn this section:
(1) ACO professionalThe term “ACO professional” means—
(A) a physician (as defined in section 1395x(r)(1) of this title); and
(B) a practitioner described in section 1395u(b)(18)(C)(i) of this title.
(2) Hospital
(3) Medicare fee-for-service beneficiary
(i) Option to use other payment models
(1) In general
(2) Partial capitation model
(A) In general
(B) No additional program expenditures
(3) Other payment models
(A) In general
(B) No additional program expenditures
(j) Involvement in private payer and other third party arrangements
(k) Treatment of physician group practice demonstration
(l) Providing ACOs the ability to expand the use of telehealth services
(1) In generalIn the case of telehealth services for which payment would otherwise be made under this subchapter furnished on or after January 1, 2020, for purposes of this subsection only, the following shall apply with respect to such services furnished by a physician or practitioner participating in an applicable ACO (as defined in paragraph (2)) to a Medicare fee-for-service beneficiary assigned to the applicable ACO:
(A) Inclusion of home as originating site
(B) No application of geographic limitation
(2) DefinitionsIn this subsection:
(A) Applicable ACOThe term “applicable ACO” means an ACO participating in a model tested or expanded under section 1315a of this title or under this section—
(i) that operates under a two-sided model—(I) described in section 425.600(a) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations; or(II) tested or expanded under section 1315a of this title; and
(ii) for which Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries are assigned to the ACO using a prospective assignment method, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(B) Home
(3) Telehealth services received in the homeIn the case of telehealth services described in paragraph (1) where the home of a Medicare fee-for-service beneficiary is the originating site, the following shall apply:
(A) No facility fee
(B) Exclusion of certain services
(m) Authority to provide incentive payments to beneficiaries with respect to qualifying primary care services
(1) Program
(A) In general
(B) Implementation
(2) Conduct of program
(A) Duration
(B) ScopeAn ACO Beneficiary Incentive Program established under this subsection shall provide incentive payments to all of the following Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries who are furnished qualifying services by the ACO:
(i) With respect to the Track 2 and Track 3 payment models described in section 425.600(a) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or in any successor regulation), Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries who are preliminarily prospectively or prospectively assigned (or otherwise assigned, as determined by the Secretary) to the ACO.
(ii) With respect to any future payment models involving two-sided risk, Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries who are assigned to the ACO, as determined by the Secretary.
(C) Qualifying serviceFor purposes of this subsection, a qualifying service is a primary care service, as defined in section 425.20 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or in any successor regulation), with respect to which coinsurance applies under part B, furnished through an ACO by—
(i) an ACO professional described in subsection (h)(1)(A) who has a primary care specialty designation included in the definition of primary care physician under section 425.20 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation);
(ii) an ACO professional described in subsection (h)(1)(B); or
(iii) a Federally qualified health center or rural health clinic (as such terms are defined in section 1395x(aa) of this title).
(D) Incentive paymentsAn incentive payment made by an ACO pursuant to an ACO Beneficiary Incentive Program established under this subsection shall be—
(i) in an amount up to $20, with such maximum amount updated annually by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the previous year;
(ii) in the same amount for each Medicare fee-for-service beneficiary described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (B) without regard to enrollment of such a beneficiary in a medicare supplemental policy (described in section 1395ss(g)(1) of this title), in a State Medicaid plan under subchapter XIX or a waiver of such a plan, or in any other health insurance policy or health benefit plan;
(iii) made for each qualifying service furnished to such a beneficiary described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (B) during a period specified by the Secretary; and
(iv) made no later than 30 days after a qualifying service is furnished to such a beneficiary described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (B).
(E) No separate payments from the Secretary
(F) No application to shared savings calculation
(G) Reporting requirements
(H) Termination
(3) Exclusion of incentive paymentsAny payment made under an ACO Beneficiary Incentive Program established under this subsection shall not be considered income or resources or otherwise taken into account for purposes of—
(A) determining eligibility for benefits or assistance (or the amount or extent of benefits or assistance) under any Federal program or under any State or local program financed in whole or in part with Federal funds; or
(B) any Federal or State laws relating to taxation.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1899, as added and amended Pub. L. 111–148, title III, § 3022, title X, § 10307, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 395, 940;

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395jjj

§ 1395kkk. Repealed. Pub. L. 115–123, div. E, title XI, § 52001(a), Feb. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 298

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395kkk

§ 1395kkk–1. Repealed. Pub. L. 115–123, div. E, title XI, § 52001(b)(2), Feb. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 298

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395kkk-1

§ 1395lll. Standardized post-acute care (PAC) assessment data for quality, payment, and discharge planning
(a) Requirement for standardized assessment data
(1) In generalThe Secretary shall—
(A) require under the applicable reporting provisions post-acute care providers (as defined in paragraph (2)(A)) to report—
(i) standardized patient assessment data in accordance with subsection (b);
(ii) data on quality measures under subsection (c)(1); and
(iii) data on resource use and other measures under subsection (d)(1);
(B) require data described in subparagraph (A) to be standardized and interoperable so as to allow for the exchange of such data among such post-acute care providers and other providers and the use by such providers of such data that has been so exchanged, including by using common standards and definitions, in order to provide access to longitudinal information for such providers to facilitate coordinated care and improved Medicare beneficiary outcomes; and
(C) in accordance with subsections (b)(1) and (c)(2), modify PAC assessment instruments (as defined in paragraph (2)(B)) applicable to post-acute care providers to—
(i) provide for the submission of standardized patient assessment data under this subchapter with respect to such providers; and
(ii) enable comparison of such assessment data across all such providers to whom such data are applicable.
(2) DefinitionsFor purposes of this section:
(A) Post-acute care (PAC) providerThe terms “post-acute care provider” and “PAC provider” mean—
(i) a home health agency;
(ii) a skilled nursing facility;
(iii) an inpatient rehabilitation facility; and
(iv) a long-term care hospital (other than a hospital classified under section 1395ww(d)(1)(B)(vi) of this title).
(B) PAC assessment instrumentThe term “PAC assessment instrument” means—
(i) in the case of home health agencies, the instrument used for purposes of reporting and assessment with respect to the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS), as described in sections 484.55 and 484.250 of title 42, the Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation, or any other instrument used with respect to home health agencies for such purposes;
(ii) in the case of skilled nursing facilities, the resident’s assessment under section 1395i–3(b)(3) of this title;
(iii) in the case of inpatient rehabilitation facilities, any Medicare beneficiary assessment instrument established by the Secretary for purposes of section 1395ww(j) of this title; and
(iv) in the case of long-term care hospitals, the Medicare beneficiary assessment instrument used with respect to such hospitals for the collection of data elements necessary to calculate quality measures as described in the August 18, 2011, Federal Register (76 Fed. Reg. 51754–51755), including for purposes of section 1395ww(m)(5)(C) of this title, or any other instrument used with respect to such hospitals for assessment purposes.
(C) Applicable reporting provisionThe term “applicable reporting provision” means—
(i) for home health agencies, section 1395fff(b)(3)(B)(v) of this title;
(ii) for skilled nursing facilities, section 1395yy(e)(6) of this title;
(iii) for inpatient rehabilitation facilities, section 1395ww(j)(7) of this title; and
(iv) for long-term care hospitals, section 1395ww(m)(5) of this title.
(D) PAC payment systemThe term “PAC payment system” means—
(i) with respect to a home health agency, the prospective payment system under section 1395fff of this title;
(ii) with respect to a skilled nursing facility, the prospective payment system under section 1395yy(e) of this title;
(iii) with respect to an inpatient rehabilitation facility, the prospective payment system under section 1395ww(j) of this title; and
(iv) with respect to a long-term care hospital, the prospective payment system under section 1395ww(m) of this title.
(E) Specified application dateThe term “specified application date” means the following:
(i) Quality measuresIn the case of quality measures under subsection (c)(1)—(I) with respect to the domain described in subsection (c)(1)(A) (relating to functional status, cognitive function, and changes in function and cognitive function)—(aa) for PAC providers described in clauses (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (2)(A), October 1, 2016;(bb) for PAC providers described in clause (iv) of such paragraph, October 1, 2018; and(cc) for PAC providers described in clause (i) of such paragraph, January 1, 2019;(II) with respect to the domain described in subsection (c)(1)(B) (relating to skin integrity and changes in skin integrity)—(aa) for PAC providers described in clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) of paragraph (2)(A), October 1, 2016; and(bb) for PAC providers described in clause (i) of such paragraph, January 1, 2017;(III) with respect to the domain described in subsection (c)(1)(C) (relating to medication reconciliation)—(aa) for PAC providers described in clause (i) of such paragraph, January 1, 2017; and(bb) for PAC providers described in clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) of such paragraph, October 1, 2018;(IV) with respect to the domain described in subsection (c)(1)(D) (relating to incidence of major falls)—(aa) for PAC providers described in clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) of paragraph (2)(A), October 1, 2016; and(bb) for PAC providers described in clause (i) of such paragraph, January 1, 2019; and(V) with respect to the domain described in subsection (c)(1)(E) (relating to accurately communicating the existence of and providing for the transfer of health information and care preferences)—(aa) for PAC providers described in clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) of paragraph (2)(A), October 1, 2018; and(bb) for PAC providers described in clause (i) of such paragraph, January 1, 2019.
(ii) Resource use and other measuresIn the case of resource use and other measures under subsection (d)(1)—(I) for PAC providers described in clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) of paragraph (2)(A), October 1, 2016; and(II) for PAC providers described in clause (i) of such paragraph, January 1, 2017.
(F) Medicare beneficiary
(b) Standardized patient assessment data
(1) Requirement for reporting assessment data
(A) In general
(B) Standardized patient assessment data describedFor purposes of subparagraph (A), the standardized patient assessment data described in this subparagraph is data required for at least the quality measures described in subsection (c)(1) and that is with respect to the following categories:
(i) Functional status, such as mobility and self care at admission to a PAC provider and before discharge from a PAC provider.
(ii) Cognitive function, such as ability to express ideas and to understand, and mental status, such as depression and dementia.
(iii) Special services, treatments, and interventions, such as need for ventilator use, dialysis, chemotherapy, central line placement, and total parenteral nutrition.
(iv) Medical conditions and co-morbidities, such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, and pressure ulcers.
(v) Impairments, such as incontinence and an impaired ability to hear, see, or swallow.
(vi) Other categories deemed necessary and appropriate by the Secretary.
(2) Alignment of claims data with standardized patient assessment data
(3) Replacement of certain existing data
(4) Clarification
(c) Quality measures
(1) Requirement for reporting quality measuresNot later than the specified application date, as applicable to measures and PAC providers, the Secretary shall specify quality measures on which PAC providers are required under the applicable reporting provisions to submit standardized patient assessment data described in subsection (b)(1) and other necessary data specified by the Secretary. Such measures shall be with respect to at least the following domains:
(A) Functional status, cognitive function, and changes in function and cognitive function.
(B) Skin integrity and changes in skin integrity.
(C) Medication reconciliation.
(D) Incidence of major falls.
(E) Accurately communicating the existence of and providing for the transfer of health information and care preferences of an individual to the individual, family caregiver of the individual, and providers of services furnishing items and services to the individual, when the individual transitions—
(i) from a hospital or critical access hospital to another applicable setting, including a PAC provider or the home of the individual; or
(ii) from a PAC provider to another applicable setting, including a different PAC provider, a hospital, a critical access hospital, or the home of the individual.
(2) Reporting through PAC assessment instruments
(A) In general
(B) Limitation
(3) Adjustments
(A) In general
(B) Risk adjustment
(d) Resource use and other measures
(1) Requirement for resource use and other measuresNot later than the specified application date, as applicable to measures and PAC providers, the Secretary shall specify resource use and other measures on which PAC providers are required under the applicable reporting provisions to submit any necessary data specified by the Secretary, which may include standardized assessment data in addition to claims data. Such measures shall be with respect to at least the following domains:
(A) Resource use measures, including total estimated Medicare spending per beneficiary.
(B) Discharge to community.
(C) Measures to reflect all-condition risk-adjusted potentially preventable hospital readmission rates.
(2) Aligning methodology adjustments for resource use measures
(A) Period of time
(B) Geographic and other adjustments
(C) Medicare spending per beneficiary
(3) Adjustments
(A) In general
(B) Risk adjustment
(e) Measurement implementation phases; selection of quality measures and resource use and other measures
(1) Measurement implementation phasesIn the case of quality measures specified under subsection (c)(1) and resource use and other measures specified under subsection (d)(1), the provisions of this section shall be implemented in accordance with the following phases:
(A) Initial implementation phaseThe initial implementation phase, with respect to such a measure, shall, in accordance with subsections (c) and (d), as applicable, consist of—
(i) measure specification, including informing the public of the measure’s numerator, denominator, exclusions, and any other aspects the Secretary determines necessary;
(ii) data collection, including, in the case of quality measures, requiring PAC providers to report data elements needed to calculate such a measure; and
(iii) data analysis, including, in the case of resource use and other measures, the use of claims data to calculate such a measure.
(B) Second implementation phase
(C) Third implementation phase
(2) Consensus-based entity
(A) In general
(B) Exception
(3) Treatment of application of pre-rulemaking process (measure applications partnership process)
(A) In general
(B) Exceptions
(i) Expedited procedures
(ii) Option to waive provisions
(f) Feedback reports to PAC providers
(1) In general
(2) Frequency
(g) Public reporting of PAC provider performance
(1) In general
(2) Opportunity to review
(3) Timing
(4) Coordination with existing programsSuch procedures shall provide that data and information described in paragraph (1) with respect to quality measures and resource use and other measures under subsections (c)(1) and (d)(1) shall be made publicly available consistent with the following provisions:
(A) In the case of home health agencies, section 1395fff(b)(3)(B)(v)(III) of this title.
(B) In the case of skilled nursing facilities, sections 1395i–3(i) and 1396r(i) of this title.
(C) In the case of inpatient rehabilitation facilities, section 1395ww(j)(7)(E) of this title.
(D) In the case of long-term care hospitals, section 1395ww(m)(5)(E) of this title.
(h) Removing, suspending, or adding measures
(1) In general
(2) Exception
(i) Use of standardized assessment data, quality measures, and resource use and other measures to inform discharge planning and incorporate patient preference
(1) In generalNot later than January 1, 2016, and periodically thereafter (but not less frequently than once every 5 years), the Secretary shall promulgate regulations to modify conditions of participation and subsequent interpretive guidance applicable to PAC providers, hospitals, and critical access hospitals. Such regulations and interpretive guidance shall require such providers to take into account quality, resource use, and other measures under the applicable reporting provisions (which, as available, shall include measures specified under subsections (c) and (d), and other relevant measures) in the discharge planning process. Specifically, such regulations and interpretive guidance shall address the settings to which a patient may be discharged in order to assist subsection (d) hospitals, critical access hospitals, hospitals described in section 1395ww(d)(1)(B)(v) of this title, PAC providers, patients, and families of such patients with discharge planning from inpatient settings, including such hospitals, and from PAC provider settings. In addition, such regulations and interpretive guidance shall include procedures to address—
(A) treatment preferences of patients; and
(B) goals of care of patients.
(2) Discharge planning
(3) Clarification
(j) Stakeholder input
(k) Funding
(l) Limitation
(m) Non-application of Paperwork Reduction Act
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1899B, as added

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395lll

§ 1395mmm. Limiting Medicare coverage of certain individuals
(a) In general
Subject to subsection (b), an individual may be entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under this subchapter only if the individual is—
(1) a citizen or national of the United States;
(2) an alien who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act;
(3) an alien who has been granted the status of Cuban and Haitian entrant, as defined in section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980 (Public Law 96–422); or
(4) an individual who lawfully resides in the United States in accordance with a Compact of Free Association referred to in section 1612(b)(2)(G) of title 8.
(b) Application to individuals currently entitled to or enrolled for benefits
(1) In general
(2) Review by Commissioner of Social Security
(A) In general
(B) Notice
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1899C, as added Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 71201, July 4, 2025, 139 Stat. 319.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1395mmm